A person shall not transact in this state the business described in this chapter without first procuring a certificate of authority from the commissioner for that purpose. Application for that certificate shall be made on a form prescribed by the commissioner accompanied by a filing fee of four thousand two hundred thirty-three dollars ($4,233). The certificate shall not be granted until the applicant conforms to the requirements of this chapter and the laws of this state prerequisite to its issue. After the issuance, the holder shall continue to comply with the requirements of this chapter and the laws of this state. When a hearing is held under this section the proceedings shall be conducted in accordance with Chapter 5 (commencing with Section 11500) of Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code, and the commissioner shall have all of the powers granted therein.

Subject to the annual fee provisions herein, every certificate of authority issued or held under this chapter shall be for an indefinite term and, unless sooner revoked by the commissioner, shall terminate upon occurrence of any of the following:

(a) Upon the holder’s ceasing to exist as a separate entity.

(b) Upon the winding up or dissolution, or expiration or forfeiture of the corporate existence of a corporate holder thereof.

(c) Upon winding up or dissolution of a holder not a corporation.

(d) In any event upon surrender by the holder of its certificate of authority and cancellation of the same by the commissioner.

The commissioner shall not cancel a surrendered certificate of authority until he or she is satisfied by examination, or otherwise, that the former holder has discharged its annuity liabilities to residents of this state or satisfactorily reinsured the same.

Notwithstanding the preceding provisions for a certificate of authority of indefinite term, each holder of a certificate of authority under this chapter shall owe and pay in advance to the commissioner an annual fee of one hundred thirty-six dollars ($136), on account of a certificate of authority until its final termination or revocation. The fee shall be for annual periods commencing on July 1 of each year and ending on June 30 of each year and shall be due on each March 1 and shall be delinquent on and after each April 1.

Each holder of a certificate of authority shall also be subject to the payment in advance of the following fees, as appropriate:

(1) Two hundred eighty-three dollars ($283) for each amended certificate of authority caused by a change of the name of the holder.

(2) Two hundred twelve dollars ($212) for the services and expenses of the commissioner in connection with the filing of amended articles by a holder.

(3) Eight hundred forty-nine dollars ($849) for all services and expenses of the commissioner in connection with the withdrawal of a holder of a certificate of authority under this chapter.

(e) Upon the receipt of a notice of filing of a petition by or against a certificate holder under the United States Bankruptcy Code for bankruptcy or reorganization, the commissioner shall cease imposing, billing, or collecting the annual fees due under this chapter and this section to the certificate holder.

(f) Upon notice of the suspension of the corporate status of the certificate holder for a period of 12 months by the Secretary of State, the commissioner shall terminate the certificate of authority and shall deem the certificate to be terminated.

(Amended by Stats. 2017, Ch. 534, Sec. 68. (AB 1699) Effective January 1, 2018.)