GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA
SESSION 2015
H 3
HOUSE BILL 182*
Committee Substitute Favorable 4/28/15
Committee Substitute #2 Favorable 5/7/15
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Short Title: Property Insurance Fairness. |
(Public) |
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Sponsors: |
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Referred to: |
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March 11, 2015
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT TO INCREASE THE FAIRNESS and equity OF PROPERTY INSURANCE RATE MAKING IN NORTH CAROLINA BY requiring that CERTAIN PROPERTY INSURANCE DATA BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE PUBLIC; by providing the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association the authority to HAVE issueD tax‑exempt bonds to cover loss‑related liabilities; by reforming Consent to rate practices; by requiring that catastrophe modeling used for property rate‑making purposes more accurately reflect potential impacts in north carolina; and by creating the joint legislative Study Committee on Property Insurance Rate making.
The General Assembly of North Carolina enacts:
PART I. PROPERTY INSURANCE CLARITY
SECTION 1. G.S. 58‑36‑15 is amended by adding new subsections to read:
"(d2) With respect to homeowners insurance rate filings, the Bureau shall do the following:
(1) Submit to the Department computations of the total amount of direct incurred losses, direct earned premiums, house years, and statewide expenses or expense factors for the most recent five years included in the filing.
(2) Report the computations to the Department by rate territory where available.
(3) Provide this information for each of the following policy categories where available:
a. All full homeowners policies.
b. All homeowners policies that exclude windstorm coverage.
c. All homeowners policies that only include windstorm coverage.
For the purposes of this subsection, homeowners insurance policies shall include condominium insurance and renters insurance, but shall not include creditor‑placed policies, condominium association policies, or commercial policies.
(d3) Companies shall submit to the Department and the Bureau catastrophic wind and hail information pursuant to a data call by the Department for losses caused by a specific catastrophic hurricane event.
(d4) Information provided to the Department and the Bureau under subsections (d2) and (d3) of this section shall be posted on the Department's Web site. Any information reported to the Department and the Bureau by an insurer pursuant to this subsection is considered a trade secret as defined in G.S. 66‑152 and shall be treated as confidential information by the Department. However, once the information from all property insurers is aggregated, then the Department may provide such aggregated information in accordance with this subsection. Notice of at least 10 business days shall be given to the insurer if confidential information pertaining to that insurer is ordered by a court of competent jurisdiction to be released to or by the Department."
PART II. BONDING AUTHORITY
SECTION 2.1. Chapter 58 of the General Statutes is amended by adding a new Article to read:
"Article 45A.
"Recovery Finance Authority.
"§ 58‑45A‑1. Name.
This Article shall be known as the "North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority Act."
"§ 58‑45A‑5. Legislative findings.
The General Assembly finds that the likelihood of one or more hurricanes or other catastrophic events causing sufficient damage and destruction for the Association to incur losses and loss expenses, including loss adjustment expenses, that exceed the combination of available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding, including assessments on its member companies, is significant. The General Assembly finds that in any such event it will be beneficial to the residents and property owners in this State and will increase the insurance capacity and the overall functioning of the State's insurance industry that all or a portion of the obligations to pay claims under policies issued by the Association and related to the hurricane or other catastrophic event resulting in such excess losses and loss expenses, including loss adjustment expenses, could be financed by a State entity through bonded indebtedness paid from amounts including catastrophe recovery charges imposed on residential and commercial property insurance policyholders statewide with their annual policy premiums. The General Assembly therefore finds that, as an additional or alternative method to borrowing by the Association for the purpose of paying such excess losses and loss expenses, including loss adjustment expenses, the creation of a State authority to acquire the obligation to pay such claims under such policies and provide for the issuance of bonded indebtedness is necessary and desirable to provide the most efficient mechanisms for addressing excess losses and loss expenses, including loss adjustment expenses, that may arise from hurricanes or other catastrophic events in the State.
"§ 58‑45A‑10. Definitions.
The following definitions apply to this Article:
(1) Assessment. – A nonrecoupable fee or charge levied on members in the Association pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47(a).
(2) Association. – The North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association, established under this Article.
(3) Authority Board. – The governing body of the Recovery Finance Authority.
(4) Bonds. – Bonds, notes, debentures, loan agreements, or other types of obligations of the Recovery Finance Authority.
(5) Catastrophe recovery charge. – A charge calculated as a uniform percentage of written premiums to be paid with annual premiums on all residential and commercial property insurance policies statewide.
(6) Deficit. – The amount of losses and loss expenses of the Association relating to a particular event that will exceed the combination of available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding, including assessments, for the Association to fund losses and loss expenses, including loss adjustment expenses, resulting from events in that calendar year.
(7) Event. – A hurricane or other catastrophic event causing loss or loss expenses to the Association for property in the State.
(8) Recovery Finance Authority. – The North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority, a public agency created by this Article.
"§ 58‑45A‑15. North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority.
(a) Creation. – There is created a body politic and corporate to be known as the "North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority." The Recovery Finance Authority is constituted as a public agency, and the exercise by the Authority of the powers conferred by this Article in the financing of deficits of the Association related to catastrophic events shall be deemed and held to be the performance of an essential governmental function.
(b) Administrative Placement. – The Authority shall be located with the Department for administrative purposes, but shall exercise all of its powers independently of the Association and the Department except as otherwise specified in this Article.
(c) Authority Board. – The Authority shall be governed by a nine‑member Authority Board consisting of two members appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, two members appointed by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives in accordance with G.S. 120‑121, two members appointed by the Governor, two members appointed by the Association, and the Commissioner of Insurance or the Commissioner's designee. Each appointing authority shall appoint members who reside in diverse regions of the State. The chair of the Authority Board shall be selected by the Authority Board.
(d) Staggered Terms. – The initial appointments to the Authority Board by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the President Pro Tempore of the Senate and by the Governor shall be for terms ending April 1, 2017. The initial appointments to the Authority Board by the General Assembly upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the House of Representatives and by the Association shall be appointed to terms ending April 1, 2019. The Commissioner of Insurance or the Commissioner's designee shall serve at all times as an ex officio voting member of the Board. Thereafter, at the expiration of each stipulated term of office, all appointments shall be to a term of four years from the date of the expiration of the term; provided all members of the Authority Board shall remain in office until their successors are appointed and qualified. The original appointing authority may appoint a member to serve out the unexpired term of any member appointed by such authority.
(e) Removal of Board Members. – Each member of the Authority Board, notwithstanding subsection (d) of this section, shall serve at the pleasure of the original appointing authority. The chair of the Authority Board serves at the pleasure of the Authority Board.
(f) Conflicts of Interest; Ethics. – Members of the Authority Board shall be subject to the provisions of Chapter 138A of the General Statutes as well as any ethics or conflicts policies promulgated by the Governor for boards of State agencies in addition to the requirements of this subsection. If any member of the Authority Board shall be (i) interested either directly or indirectly or (ii) an officer or employee of, or has an ownership interest in, any firm or corporation, not including units of local government or the Association, interested directly or indirectly, in any contract with the Authority, the interest shall be disclosed to the Authority Board and shall be set forth in the minutes of the Authority Board. The member having an interest shall not participate on behalf of the Authority in the authorization of such contract. Other provisions of law notwithstanding, failure to take any or all actions necessary to carry out the purposes of this subsection do not affect the validity of any bonds issued under this Article. Members, officers, and employees of the Authority shall be subject to the provisions of G.S. 14‑234.
(g) Compensation. – The appointed members of the Authority Board shall receive no salary for their services but shall be entitled to receive per diem and travel allowances in accordance with the provisions of G.S. 138‑5 and G.S. 138‑6, as appropriate.
(h) Initial Meeting. – The initial meeting of the Authority may be called by the Commissioner of Insurance or any other four members.
(i) Bylaws. – The Authority Board shall adopt, change, or amend bylaws with respect to the calling of meetings, quorums, voting procedures, the keeping of records, and other organizational, staffing, and administrative matters as the Authority Board may determine. Any amendments to the bylaws after their initial adoption shall be submitted to the Commissioner of Insurance for review and comment at least 45 days prior to adoption by the Authority Board.
"§ 58‑45A‑20. Powers of the Recovery Finance Authority.
(a) The Recovery Finance Authority shall have all of the powers necessary to execute the provisions of this Article, including the following:
(1) The powers of a corporate body, including the power to sue and be sued, to make contracts, to adopt and use a common seal, and to alter the adopted seal as needed.
(2) To issue bonds of the Authority as provided in this Article and use the proceeds of such bonds to finance obligations to pay claims with respect to policies assigned to it in connection with events with the debt service on such bonds payable from catastrophe recovery charges under G.S. 58‑45‑47, other revenues of the Authority, or other payments by the Association or its members. Proceeds of such bonds may be used to pay issuance expenses, interest on the bonds for a period of up to one year, and to create a reserve fund for the bonds.
(3) To invest the proceeds of bonds of the Authority that are pending disbursement or other idle funds of the Authority in any investment authorized by G.S. 159‑30.
(4) To pay all necessary costs and expenses in the formation, organization, administration, and operation of the Authority.
(5) To apply for, accept, and administer loans and grants of money or real or personal property from the United States of America or any federal agency, the State or its political subdivisions, local governments, or any other public or private sources available.
(6) To adopt, alter, or repeal its own bylaws or rules implementing the provisions of this Article.
(7) To contract for the services of consulting attorneys and other consultants, to employ administrative staff as may be required in the judgment of the Authority, and to fix and pay fees or compensation to the contractors and administrative employees from funds available to the Authority.
(8) To receive and use appropriations from the State and federal government.
(9) To adopt procedures to govern its procurement of services.
(10) To perform or procure any portion of services required by the Authority.
(11) To use officers, employees, agents, and facilities of the Department or the Association for the purposes and upon the terms as may be mutually agreeable.
(12) To enter into partnership agreements with the Department or the Association, agreements with political subdivisions of the State, agreements with private entities, and to expend such funds as it deems necessary pursuant to such agreements for its purposes.
(13) To enter into swap agreements pursuant to Article 13 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes.
(14) To receive, administer, and comply with the conditions and requirements respecting any gift, grant, or donation of any property or money.
(15) To acquire by purchase, lease, gift, or otherwise or to obtain options for the acquisition of any real or personal property or interest therein.
(16) To sell, lease, exchange, transfer, or otherwise dispose of or to grant options for any of these purposes with respect to any real or personal property or interest therein.
(17) Subject to the provisions of this Article, to pledge, assign, mortgage, or otherwise grant a security interest in any real or personal property or interest therein, including a leasehold interest or the right and power to pledge, assign, or otherwise grant a security interest in any money, rents, charges, or other revenues and any proceeds derived by the Authority from any and all sources.
(18) To do all acts and terms necessary, convenient, or desirable to carry out the purpose and exercise the specific powers granted to it herein.
"§ 58‑45A‑25. Taxation of property of Recovery Finance Authority.
Property owned by the Recovery Finance Authority is exempt from taxation in accordance with Section 2 of Article V of the North Carolina Constitution.
"§ 58‑45A‑30. Audit.
The operations of the Recovery Finance Authority shall be subject to the oversight of the State Auditor pursuant to Article 5A of Chapter 147 of the General Statutes.
"§ 58‑45A‑35. Recovery Finance Authority bonds.
(a) The Recovery Finance Authority shall be a municipality for purposes of Article 5 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, the State and Local Government Revenue Bond Act, and may issue revenue bonds pursuant to that Act to pay all or a portion of the cost of a deficit or to refund any previously issued bonds. In connection with the issuance of revenue bonds, the Authority shall have all powers of a municipality under the State and Local Government Revenue Bond Act, and revenue bonds issued by the Authority shall be entitled to the protection of all provisions of the State and Local Government Revenue Bond Act.
(b) In addition to swap agreements permitted by Article 13 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, in connection with or incidental to the acquisition or carrying of any investment relating to bonds, program of investment relating to bonds, or carrying of bonds, the Authority may, with the approval of the Local Government Commission, enter into a contract to place the investment or obligation of the Authority, as represented by the bonds, investment, or program of investment and the contract or contracts, in whole or in part, on an interest rate, currency, cash flow, or other basis, including the following:
(1) Interest rate swap agreements, currency swap agreements, insurance agreements, forward payment conversion agreements, and futures.
(2) Contracts providing for payments based on levels of, or changes in, interest rates, currency exchange rates, event‑related indices, or stock or other indices.
(3) Contracts to exchange cash flows or a series of payments.
(4) Contracts to hedge payment, currency, rate, spread, or similar exposure, including interest rate floors or caps, options, puts, and calls.
The Authority may enter a contract of this type in connection with, or incidental to, entering into or maintaining any agreement that secures bonds. A contract shall contain the payment, security, term, default, remedy, and other terms and conditions the Authority Board considers appropriate. The Authority may enter a contract of this type with any person after giving due consideration, where applicable, to the person's creditworthiness as determined by a rating by a nationally recognized rating agency or any other criteria the Authority Board considers appropriate. In connection with, or incidental to, the issuance or carrying of bonds, or the entering into any contract described in this subsection, the Authority may enter into credit enhancement or liquidity agreements, with payment, interest rate, termination date, currency, security, default, remedy, and other terms and conditions as the Authority determines. Proceeds of bonds and any moneys set aside and pledged to secure payment of bonds or any of the contracts entered into under this subsection may be pledged to and used to service any of the contracts entered into under this section.
(c) If requested by the Association to issue bonds pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47(c)(2), the Authority shall do all of the following:
(1) Take assignment, without recourse, of the Association's obligation to pay claims with respect to insurance policies issued by the Association in an amount estimated to be in excess of the Association's losses and expenses resulting from events in any calendar year that exceed available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding of Association losses, including permissible assessments on Association member companies, as a result of a hurricane or other catastrophic event.
(2) Issue bonds to finance such obligations.
(3) Utilize catastrophe recovery charges imposed pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47 to provide amounts to pay such bonds.
(4) Contract with the Association to act as agent for the Authority to collect such catastrophe recovery charges imposed pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47 and to take all such other actions as may be necessary in connection with the bond issuance, the catastrophe recovery charges, and related activities.
(5) Assign such amounts as may be required as security for the Authority's bonds.
(d) Except as provided in this section, the provisions of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes, the Local Government Finance Act, apply to revenue bonds issued by the Authority.
"§ 58‑45A‑40. Sale of Recovery Finance Authority revenue bonds.
Revenue bonds of the Recovery Finance Authority issued pursuant to this Article and the State and Local Government Revenue Bond Act shall be sold in accordance with and pursuant to Article 7 of Chapter 159 of the General Statutes.
"§ 58‑45A‑45. Faith and credit of State and units of local government not pledged.
Bonds issued under this Article shall not constitute a debt secured by a pledge of the faith and credit of the State or a political subdivision of the State and shall be payable solely from the revenues, property, and other funds pledged for their payment. The bonds issued by the Recovery Finance Authority shall contain a statement that the Authority is obligated to pay the bond or the interest on the bond only from the revenues, property, or other funds pledged for their payment and that neither the faith and credit nor the taxing power of the State or any political subdivision of the State is pledged as security for the payment of the principal of or the interest or premium on the bonds.
"§ 58‑45A‑50. Bonds eligible for investment.
Bonds issued under this Article are hereby made securities in which all public officers, agencies, and public bodies of the State and its political subdivisions, all insurance companies, trust companies, investment companies, banks, savings banks, building and loan associations, credit unions, pension or retirement funds, other financial institutions engaged in business in the State, executors, administrators, trustees, and other fiduciaries may properly and legally invest funds, including capital in their control or belonging to them. These bonds are hereby made securities that may properly and legally be deposited with and received by any officer or agency of the State or political subdivision of the State for any purpose for which the deposit of bonds, notes, or obligations of the State or any political subdivision of the State is authorized by law. This section does not apply to any State pension or retirement fund or a pension or retirement fund of a political subdivision of the State.
"§ 58‑45A‑55. Taxation of revenue bonds.
Interest on any bonds issued by the Recovery Finance Authority under this Article shall be exempt from taxation under the provisions of G.S. 105‑130.5(b)(1a) and G.S. 105‑153.5(b)(1)b.
"§ 58‑45A‑60. Members not liable.
No member of the Authority Board shall be subject to any personal liability or accountability by reason of the execution of any bonds or the issuance of any bonds."
SECTION 2.2. G.S. 58‑45‑47 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑45‑47. Deficit event.
(a) Nonrecoupable Assessment. – In the event of
the Association expects to incur losses and expenses to the
Association exceeding available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of
funding of Association losses, with such availability determined taking into
account sources committed with respect to losses and expenses expected from
prior events, the Association is authorized to issue a nonrecoupable
assessment upon its members member companies in accordance with
its Plan of Operation. Member assessments shall not exceed one billion dollars
($1,000,000,000) for losses incurred from any event or series of events that
occur in a given calendar year, regardless of when such assessments are
actually levied on or collected from member companies.
(b) Deficit Event. – When the Association knows
that it has incurred determines that it expects it will incur losses
and loss expenses in a particular calendar year that will exceed the
combination of available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding, including
permissible member company assessments, then the Association shall immediately
give notice to the Commissioner and the North Carolina Recovery Finance
Authority that a deficit event has occurred.will occur. With such
notice the Association shall provide evidence with respect to its estimates of
the total losses and loss expenses the Association expects to incur within the
calendar year and the amounts available to it from available surplus,
reinsurance, and other sources of funding, including member company assessments,
with such availability determined by taking into account sources committed with
respect to losses and expenses expected by prior events. The Association shall
make such evidence and related material available to the Commissioner for
review and verification.
(c) Imposition of Catastrophe Recovery Charge. – Upon
agreement by the Commissioner with a determination by the Association
that a deficit event has occurred, will occur, the Association
shall determine, in its discretion, the appropriate means of financing the deficit,
deficit in whole or in part, which may include, but is not limited
to, the purchase of reinsurance, arranging lines of credit, or other
forms of borrowing or financing. financing, including a North
Carolina Recovery Finance Authority financing as described in subdivision (2)
of this subsection, or any combination of these means. If the Association
determines that the member companies have paid issued one billion
dollars ($1,000,000,000) in nonrecoupable assessments for losses and expenses
incurred in any given year pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, the
Association may, subject to the verification by the Commissioner that the
dollar value of losses and expenses has reached the level necessary for a
catastrophe recovery charge, take either of the following actions:
(1) authorize Authorize member
companies to impose a catastrophe recovery charge on their residential and
commercial property insurance policyholders statewide. Catastrophe recovery
charges shall be charged as a uniform percentage of written premiums as
prescribed by the Commissioner and shall not exceed an aggregate amount of ten
percent (10%) of the annual policy premium on any one policy of insurance. Catastrophe
recovery charges collected under this section subsection shall be
transferred on a periodic basis, as determined by the Association and
ordered by the Commissioner, directly to the Association on a periodic
basis as determined by the Association and ordered by the Commissioner. The
Association and the FAIR Plan also shall charge their policyholders a
catastrophe recovery charge as provided in this section.Association, or
at the Association's direction, to a trustee for the Association's creditors in
a financing.
(2) Inform the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority and the Commissioner that it will assign without recourse to the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority the Association's obligation to pay claims with respect to policies issued by the Association in an amount estimated to be in excess of its losses and expenses that exceed available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding of Association losses, including permissible assessments on member companies, and act as agent for the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority to collect catastrophe recovery charges imposed pursuant to this section and direct amounts so collected to the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority or at its direction.
(d) Requirements for Catastrophe Recovery Charge. – Catastrophe recovery charges imposed under this section shall be charged as a uniform percentage of written premiums as prescribed by the Commissioner, shall not exceed an aggregate amount of ten percent (10%) of the annual policy premium on any one policy of insurance, and shall also be imposed upon policyholders with insurance from the Association and the FAIR Plan established under Article 46 of this Chapter. The catastrophe recovery charge shall be clearly identified to policyholders on the premium statement, declarations page, or by other appropriate electronic or written method. The identification shall refer to the post‑catastrophe loss for which the charge was imposed. Any such catastrophe recovery charge shall not be considered premium for any purpose, including premium taxes or commissions, except that failure to pay the catastrophe recovery charge shall be treated as failure to pay premium and shall be grounds for termination of insurance. The identified catastrophe recovery charge shall be accompanied by an explanation of the charge and shall appear on the medium by which the charge is conveyed to the policyholder. The explanatory language shall be prescribed by the Commissioner.
(e) Report. – The Association shall report
quarterly to the Commissioner and the North Carolina Recovery Finance
Authority providing all financial information for each catastrophe recovery
charge authorized by this section, including total catastrophe recovery charge
funds recovered to date and any information reasonably requested by the Commissioner.Commissioner
or the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority.
(f) Periodic Revision of Catastrophe Recovery Charge. – The Association shall recalculate the catastrophe recovery charge amount annually for any such charge imposed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section and, subject to procedure approved by the Commissioner, adjust the charge percentage as needed. The North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority shall recalculate the catastrophe recovery charge amount annually for any such charge imposed pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section and adjust the charge percentage as needed.
(g) Cessation; Treatment of Excess Charges. – The catastrophe recovery charge amount shall continue until financing or refinancing of the deficit event has been paid in full. The State of North Carolina does pledge to and agree with any creditors of the Association under financings pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section that so long as any such financing is outstanding and unpaid the State will not limit the rights to catastrophe recovery charges vested in the Association at the time of incurrence its obligations under such financings. Upon order of cessation, any catastrophe recovery charge amounts imposed pursuant to subdivision (1) of subsection (c) of this section collected by member companies, the Association or the FAIR Plan that exceed amounts necessary for payment of the debt shall be remitted to the Association and added to the surplus for the purposes of offsetting future Association losses or expenses. Any catastrophe recovery charge amounts imposed pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (c) of this section collected by member companies, the Association or the FAIR Plan that exceed amounts necessary for payment of the debt shall first be remitted to the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority for payment of reasonable outstanding expenses associated with the issuance and repayment of the debt and other necessary related activities of the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority. Charge amounts remaining after expenses shall be remitted to the Association.
(h) Limitations. – Nothing contained in this
section prohibits the Association from entering into any financing arrangements
for the purpose of financing a deficit, provided that the pledge of catastrophe
recovery charge amounts under such financing agreements shall not result in the
actual levying of any catastrophe recovery charge until after the Association
has incurred a deficit and until after the Commissioner has approved
implementation of the Association's catastrophe recovery charge plan.
requirements of this section have been met. Nothing in this section prevents
the Association from utilizing financings under both subdivisions (1) and (2) of
subsection (c) of this section or either of them in the same calendar year or
there being in existence more than one catastrophe recovery charge under either
subsection or both subsections at the same time; provided all catastrophe
recovery charges, whether imposed by the Association or the North Carolina Recovery
Finance Authority, may not in the aggregate exceed ten percent (10%) of the
annual policy premium on any one policy of insurance."
SECTION 2.3. G.S. 120‑123 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(81) The North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority."
SECTION 2.4. G.S. 159‑81(1) reads as rewritten:
"(1) "Municipality" means a county, city, town, incorporated village, sanitary district, metropolitan sewerage district, metropolitan water district, metropolitan water and sewerage district, county water and sewer district, water and sewer authority, hospital authority, hospital district, parking authority, special airport district, special district created under Article 43 of Chapter 105 of the General Statutes, regional public transportation authority, regional transportation authority, regional natural gas district, regional sports authority, airport authority, joint agency created pursuant to Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes, a joint agency authorized by agreement between two cities to operate an airport pursuant to G.S. 63‑56, the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority described in Article 45A of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes, and the North Carolina Turnpike Authority described in Article 6H of Chapter 136 of the General Statutes and transferred to the Department of Transportation pursuant to G.S. 136‑89.182(b), but not any other forms of State or local government."
SECTION 2.5. G.S. 159‑81(3) reads as rewritten:
"(3) "Revenue bond project" means any undertaking for the acquisition, construction, reconstruction, improvement, enlargement, betterment, or extension of any one or combination of the revenue‑producing utility or public service enterprise facilities or systems listed in this subdivision, to be financed through the issuance of revenue bonds, thereby providing funds to pay the costs of the undertaking or to reimburse funds loaned or advanced by or on the behalf of either the State or a municipality to pay the costs of the undertaking.
A revenue bond project shall be (i) owned or leased as lessee by the issuing unit or (ii) owned by one or more of the municipalities participating in an undertaking established pursuant to Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes. If the revenue bond project is owned by one or more municipalities as provided in (ii) of this subdivision, any one or more of the participating municipalities may each be an issuing unit consistent with their agreement to establish a joint undertaking. In addition, any joint agency established by participating municipalities pursuant to Part 1 of Article 20 of Chapter 160A of the General Statutes may be an issuing unit without owning the revenue bond project or leasing it as lessee.
The cost of an undertaking may include all property, both real and personal and improved and unimproved, plants, works, appurtenances, machinery, equipment, easements, water rights, air rights, franchises, and licenses used or useful in connection with the undertaking; the cost of demolishing or moving structures from land acquired and the cost of acquiring any lands to which the structures are to be moved; financing charges; the cost of plans, specifications, surveys, and estimates of cost and revenues; administrative and legal expenses; and any other expense necessary or incident to the project.
The following facilities or systems may be revenue bond projects under this subdivision:
…
r. In the case of the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority, the financing of a deficit in the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47 with the repayment thereof to come from catastrophe recovery charges pursuant to that section or other revenues of the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority, including payments from the Association or its members."
SECTION 2.6. G.S. 159‑83 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(g) The North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority by the power to finance as a revenue project a deficit in the Association pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47 and for this purpose may contract for the charging of catastrophe recovery charges pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47, including covenanting to make such charges as necessary for the payment of revenue bonds, and shall have the power to pledge and assign its rights to the making, revising, receiving, and enforcing such changes as security for its revenue bonds."
SECTION 2.7. G.S. 159‑89 is amended by adding a new subdivision to read:
"(15) With respect to revenue bonds issued by the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority, any agreements with the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association to assign without recourse to the Recovery Finance Authority the Insurance Underwriting Association's obligation to pay claims with respect to insurance policies issued by the Insurance Underwriting Association in an amount estimated to be in excess of its losses and expenses that exceed available surplus, reinsurance, and other sources of funding of Insurance Underwriting Association losses, including permissible assessments on its members, and act as agent for the Recovery Finance Authority to collect catastrophe recovery charges imposed by it under G.S. 58‑45‑47 and direct amounts so collected to the Recovery Finance Authority."
SECTION 2.8. G.S. 159‑90(a)(1) reads as rewritten:
"(1) The maturity dates may not exceed the maximum
maturity periods prescribed by the Commission for general obligation bonds
pursuant to G.S. 159‑122. G.S. 159‑122,
provided the maturity dates for revenue bonds issued by the North Carolina Recovery
Finance Authority shall be related to the structuring of the repayment of the
proceeds rather than the facilities paid for, subject to an overall limit of 40
years. For bonds issued in reimbursement of a loan or advance, the maximum
maturity period to be used in determining the maturity dates of the bonds shall
be the maximum permissible period prescribed by the Commission for the original
project for which the loan or advance was expended, calculated from the date
the original project is completed."
SECTION 2.9. G.S. 159‑93 reads as rewritten:
"§ 159‑93. Agreement of the State.
The State of North Carolina does pledge to and agree with the holders of any revenue bonds or revenue bond anticipation notes heretofore or hereafter issued by the State or any municipality in this State that so long as any such bonds or notes are outstanding and unpaid the State will not limit or alter the rights vested in the State or the municipality at the time of issuance of the bonds or notes to establish, maintain, revise, charge, and collect such rates, fees, rentals, tolls, catastrophe recovery charges, and other charges for the use, services, facilities, and commodities of or furnished by the revenue bond project in connection with which the bonds or notes, or bonds or notes refunded by the bonds or notes, were issued as shall produce revenues at least sufficient with other available funds to meet the expense of maintenance and operation of and renewal and replacements to such project, including reserves therefor, to pay when due the principal, interest, and redemption premiums (if any) of the bonds or notes, and to fulfill the terms of any agreements made with the bondholders or noteholders, nor will the State in any way impair the rights and remedies of the bondholders or noteholders until the bonds or notes and all costs and expenses in connection with any action or proceedings by or on behalf of the bondholders or noteholders, are fully paid, met, and discharged."
SECTION 2.10. G.S. 159‑95 reads as rewritten:
"§ 159‑95. Approval of State agencies.
The general design and plan of any revenue bond project undertaken for water systems or facilities or sewage disposal systems or facilities shall be subject to the approval of the Commission for Public Health or the State Environmental Management Commission to the same extent that such projects would be if they were not financed by revenue bonds, and the provisions of the revenue bond order shall be consistent with any requirements imposed on the project by the Commission for Public Health or the State Environmental Management Commission. No revenue bond project for the acquisition or construction of systems or facilities for the generation, production, or transmission of gas or electric power may be undertaken by the State or a municipality unless the State or municipality, as the case may be, shall first obtain a certificate of convenience and necessity from the North Carolina Utilities Commission. Bonds issued by the North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority do not require the approval of the Department of Insurance except to the extent catastrophe recovery charges therefore require action pursuant to G.S. 58‑45‑47."
SECTION 2.11. G.S. 159‑96 is amended by adding a new subsection to read:
"(f) Notwithstanding the other provisions of this section, there is no geographic or territorial limitation on the use of proceeds of North Carolina Recovery Finance Authority revenue bonds other than for payment of a deficit related to a catastrophic event affecting property covered under insurance policies issued by the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association."
PART III. REFORM CONSENT TO RATE
SECTION 3.1. G.S. 58‑36‑30 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑36‑30. Deviations.
…
(b) This subsection applies only to insurance nonfleet private passenger motor vehicles coverage, with the exception of liability coverage. A rate in excess of that promulgated by the Bureau may be charged by an insurer on any specific risk if the higher rate is charged in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner and with the knowledge and written consent of the insured. The insurer is not required to obtain the written consent of the insured on any renewal of or endorsement to the policy if the policy renewal or endorsement states that the rates are greater than those rates that are applicable in the State of North Carolina. The insurer shall retain the signed consent form and other policy information for each insured and make this information available to the Commissioner, upon request of the Commissioner. This subsection may be used to provide motor vehicle liability coverage limits above those required under Article 9A of Chapter 20 of the General Statutes and above those cedable to the Facility under Article 37 of this Chapter to persons whose personal excess liability insurance policies require that they maintain specific higher liability coverage limits. Any data obtained by the Commissioner under this subsection is proprietary and confidential and is not a public record under G.S. 132‑1 or G.S. 58‑2‑100.
(b1) This subsection applies only to insurance against loss to residential real property with not more than four housing units. A rate in excess of that promulgated by the Bureau may be charged by an insurer on any specific risk if the higher rate is charged in accordance with rules adopted by the Commissioner and is charged with the knowledge and written consent of the insured. An insurer shall give reasonable notice to the insured by including the following language on the insured's written consent to rate form in at least 10 point type:
"NOTICE: THE PREMIUM USING NORTH CAROLINA RATE BUREAU'S MANUAL RATES FOR THE HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE COVERAGE I APPLIED FOR IS $______. THE PREMIUM FOR THIS COVERAGE IS $______. THE TOTAL PERCENTAGE INCREASE ABOVE THE MANUAL RATES IS ______%, WHICH DOES NOT EXCEED 250% OF THE PREMIUM THAT I WOULD BE CHARGED USING NORTH CAROLINA RATE BUREAU MANUAL RATES FOR THE SAME COVERAGE."
The insurer shall provide the rate information on the disclosure statement above, as applicable, to the insured. The disclosure statement noted above in this subsection shall be included on any renewal of or endorsement to the policy for any subsequent increase above the manual rate following the initial written consent of an insured. However, once an initial written consent to rate is received, the insurer is not required to obtain the written consent of the insured on any renewal of or endorsement to the policy. The insurer shall give 30 days' notice to the insured for all written consents to rate and notices required under this subsection on all policy renewals and endorsements. The insurer shall retain the signed consent form and other policy information for each insured and make this information available to the Commissioner, upon request of the Commissioner. Any data obtained by the Commissioner under this subsection is proprietary and confidential and is not a public record under G.S. 132‑1 or G.S. 58‑2‑100.
…."
PART IV. CATASTROPHIC MODELING
SECTION 4.1. G.S. 58‑36‑10 reads as rewritten:
"§ 58‑36‑10. Method of rate making; factors considered.
The following standards shall apply to the making and use of rates:
(1) Rates or loss costs shall not be excessive, inadequate or unfairly discriminatory.
(2) Due consideration shall be given to actual loss and expense experience within this State for the most recent three‑year period for which that information is available; to prospective loss and expense experience within this State; to the hazards of conflagration and catastrophe; to a reasonable margin for underwriting profit and to contingencies; to dividends, savings, or unabsorbed premium deposits allowed or returned by insurers to their policyholders, members, or subscribers; to investment income earned or realized by insurers from their unearned premium, loss, and loss expense reserve funds generated from business within this State; to past and prospective expenses specially applicable to this State; and to all other relevant factors within this State: Provided, however, that countrywide expense and loss experience and other countrywide data may be considered only where credible North Carolina experience or data is not available.
(3) In the case of property insurance rates under this Article, consideration may be given to the experience of property insurance business during the most recent five‑year period for which that experience is available. In the case of property insurance rates under this Article, consideration shall be given to the insurance public protection classifications of fire districts established by the Commissioner. The Commissioner shall establish and modify from time to time insurance public protection districts for all rural areas of the State and for cities with populations of 100,000 or fewer, according to the most recent annual population estimates certified by the State Budget Officer. In establishing and modifying these districts, the Commissioner shall use standards at least equivalent to those used by the Insurance Services Office, Inc., or any successor organization. The standards developed by the Commissioner are subject to Article 2A of Chapter 150B of the General Statutes. The insurance public protection classifications established by the Commissioner issued pursuant to the provisions of this Article shall be subject to appeal as provided in G.S. 58‑2‑75, et seq. The exceptions stated in G.S. 58‑2‑75(a) do not apply. If the Rate Bureau presents any modeled hurricane losses based upon a commercial hurricane simulation computer model with a property insurance rate filing, the Bureau shall present data from more than one such model. Models shall consider North Carolina Building codes for residential construction and any changes thereto based on the dates of such changes. The Commissioner shall consider modeled hurricane losses presented by the Rate Bureau."
PART V. STUDIES
SECTION 5.1.(a) Property Insurance Rate‑making Study. – There is created the Joint Legislative Study Committee on Property Insurance Rate Making. The Committee shall consist of 10 members to be appointed as follows:
(1) Five members of the House of Representatives appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives.
(2) Five members of the Senate appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate.
(3) Three public members appointed by the Speaker of the House of Representatives representing the following:
a. A public member representing the Department of Insurance.
b. A public member representing the North Carolina Rate Bureau.
c. A public member representing a national carrier.
(4) Three public members appointed by the President Pro Tempore of the Senate representing the following:
a. A public member representing a domestic carrier.
b. A public member representing insurance agents.
c. A public member representing a regional insurance carrier.
SECTION 5.1.(b) Study. – The Committee shall study the following:
(1) The structure, function, and operations of the Rate Bureau, with particular attention to the conditions and characteristics of the insurance market and the magnitude and type of insurable risks in North Carolina that require the existence of a body such as the Rate Bureau that no longer exists in any other state.
(2) The prevalence and geographic distribution of property insurance policies (including homeowners' insurance policies and separate policies of windstorm and hail insurance) issued with a rate in excess of that promulgated by the North Carolina Rate Bureau that is charged with the knowledge and written consent of the insured under G.S. 58‑36‑30(b) (Consent to Rate Policies).
(3) Any other subject the Committee finds germane to an understanding of and basis for legislative proposals to revise the property insurance rate‑making process in North Carolina.
SECTION 5.1.(c) Cochairs; Vacancies. – The Speaker of the House of Representatives shall designate one representative to serve as cochair, and the President Pro Tempore of the Senate shall designate one senator to serve as cochair. Vacancies on the Committee shall be filled by the same appointing authority making the initial appointment.
SECTION 5.1.(d) Powers. – The Committee, while in the discharge of its official duties, may exercise all powers provided for under G.S. 120‑19 and G.S. 120‑19.1 through G.S. 120‑19.4. The Committee may meet at any time upon the joint call of the cochairs. The Committee may meet in the Legislative Building or the Legislative Office Building.
SECTION 5.1.(e) Staffing. – The Legislative Services Commission, through the Legislative Services Officer, shall assign professional staff to assist the Committee in its work. The Directors of Legislative Assistants of the Senate and of the House of Representatives shall assign clerical staff to the Committee, and the expenses relating to the clerical employees shall be borne by the Committee. Members of the Committee shall receive subsistence and travel expenses at the rates set forth in G.S. 120‑3.1, 138‑5, or 138‑6, as appropriate.
SECTION 5.1.(f) Report. – The Committee shall submit an interim report to the 2015 General Assembly when it reconvenes in 2016. The Committee shall submit a final report, including findings and legislative recommendations, to the 2017 General Assembly when it convenes. The Committee shall terminate upon filing its final report.
PART VI. REMOVE CERTAIN OBSOLETE REFERENCES TO THE COASTAL PROPERTY INSURANCE POOL
SECTION 6.1.(a) The title of Article 45 of Chapter 58 of the General Statutes reads as rewritten:
"Article 45.
"Essential Property Insurance for Beach Area Coastal
Property."
SECTION 6.1.(b) G.S. 58‑45‑5(2c) reads as rewritten:
"(2c) Coastal Property Insurance Pool. – The name
of which was formerly known as "the Beach Plan" and which is governed
by the North Carolina Insurance Underwriting Association. All references to "the
Beach Plan" shall mean the Coastal Property Insurance Pool, which is the market
of last resort which is governed by the North Carolina Insurance
Underwriting Association and is provided by the Association to the beach
area and the coastal area."
PART VII. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
SECTION 7.1. If any section or provision of this act is declared unconstitutional or invalid by the courts, such action does not affect the validity of this act as a whole or any part other than the part so declared to be unconstitutional or invalid.
SECTION 7.2. Section 1 of this act is effective when it becomes law and any current year requirements apply to the 2015 and subsequent calendar years. Section 7.2 of this act is effective when it becomes law. The remainder of this act becomes effective July 1, 2015.