Whenever the Commissioner of Insurance deems it prudent for the protection of the policyholders in this state, he shall in like manner visit and examine, or cause to be visited and examined by some competent person or persons he may appoint for that purpose, any foreign insurance company applying for admission or already admitted to do business by agencies in this state, and such companies shall pay the proper charges incurred in such examination, including the expense of the commissioner or his deputy and the expenses and compensation of his assistants employed therein. For the purpose aforesaid, the commissioner or his deputy or persons making examination shall have free access to all the books and papers of the insurance company that relate to its business and to the books and papers kept by any of its agents, and may summon and qualify as witnesses, under oath, and examine the directors, officers, agents and trustees of any such company, and any other persons in relation to its affairs, transactions and conditions. Such examination shall be made by the commissioner, or by his accredited representatives, and such companies shall pay the proper charges incurred in such examination, including the expense of the commissioner or financial examiners, actuaries, market conduct examiners, accountants, attorneys or other professional service organizations necessary to administer this section. The Department of Insurance may contract with professional service organizations to examine all companies under its jurisdiction, and the professional service organization may directly bill the company under examination. The commissioner shall monitor the charges for these professional services and verify that all costs are reasonable. If a company fails to pay these fees within thirty (30) days of billing, the commissioner, after notice and a hearing, is authorized to impose an administrative fine not to exceed One Thousand Dollars ($1,000.00) per day to be deposited into the special fund in the State Treasury designated as the “Insurance Department Fund.” The compensation and expense of the commissioner or such examiner for the commissioner shall not exceed that approved by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners for all financial and market conduct examiners on such examinations, itemized account of such charges being rendered to and approved by the Commissioner of Insurance.

The results of audits performed hereunder by the Commissioner of Insurance may be furnished to the State Tax Commission. Nothing herein shall be construed to prohibit the State Tax Commission from performing such additional audits or verifications as it may deem necessary to insure the proper payment of taxes.

From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law.

From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.