§ 27-44-8. Licensing of rating organizations. (a) License required. No rating organization shall provide any service relating to the rates of any insurance subject to this chapter, and no insurer shall utilize the services of the organization for these purposes unless the organization has obtained a license under subsection (c) of this section.

(b) Availability of services. No rating organization shall refuse to supply any services for which it is licensed in this state to any insurer authorized to do business in this state and offering to pay the fair and usual compensation for the services.

(c) Licensing.

(1) Application. A rating organization applying for a license shall include with its application:

(i) A copy of its constitution, charter, articles of organization, agreement, association, or incorporation, and a copy of its bylaws, plan of operation, and any other rules or regulations governing the conduct of its business;

(ii) A list of its members and subscribers;

(iii) The name and address of one or more residents of this state upon whom notices, process affecting it, or orders of the director may be served;

(iv) A statement showing its technical qualifications for acting in the capacity for which it seeks a license; and

(v) Any other relevant information and documents that the director may require;

(2) Change of circumstances. Every organization that has applied for a license shall notify the director of every material change in the facts or in the documents on which its application was based. Any amendment to a document filed under this section shall be filed with the director not less than thirty (30) days after it becomes effective;

(3) Granting of license; fee. If the director finds that the applicant and the natural persons through whom it acts are competent, trustworthy, and technically qualified to provide the services proposed, and that all requirements of the law are met, he or she shall issue a license specifying the authorized activity of the applicant. The fee for the license shall be three hundred dollars ($300). The director shall not issue a license if the proposed activity would tend to create a monopoly or to substantially lessen the competition in any market;

(4) Duration. Licenses issued pursuant to this section shall remain in effect for three (3) years unless sooner suspended or revoked. All in force licenses shall be transitioned into a three (3) year licensing cycle beginning June 1, 2006, to expire every three (3) years thereafter. License fees may be prorated for the initial renewal period as deemed appropriate by the director. The director may, at any time, after a hearing, revoke or suspend the license of a rating organization that does not comply with the requirements and standards of this chapter.

History of Section. (P.L. 1988, ch. 635, § 1; P.L. 2001, ch. 122, § 13; P.L. 2005, ch. 174, § 6.)