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Key: (1) language to be deleted (2) new language

CHAPTER 80--S.F.No. 4091

An act

relating to commerce; making technical changes to various provisions governing or administered by the Department of Commerce; modifying the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act;

amending Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 47.60, by adding a subdivision; 48A.11; 53.03, by adding a subdivision; 53A.03; 53B.07, by adding a subdivision; 53C.01, subdivision 12; 53C.02; 56.02; 58.02, subdivision 21; 58.06, by adding a subdivision; 58A.02, subdivision 13; 58A.13; 59A.03, by adding a subdivision; 60A.031, subdivision 4; 60A.07, subdivision 1d; 60A.16, subdivisions 1, 2; 60B.02; 61B.19, subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4; 61B.20, subdivisions 10, 13, 16; 61B.21, subdivision 1; 61B.22, subdivision 1; 61B.23, subdivisions 1, 3, 4, 8a, 12, 13, 14; 61B.24, subdivisions 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 10; 61B.26; 61B.27; 61B.28, subdivisions 3, 3a, 4, 6, 7, 8; 62D.18, subdivision 1; 82.68, subdivision 2; 82C.03, subdivision 2; 82C.06; 82C.15; 216C.437, subdivision 11; 297I.20, subdivision 1; 332.30; 332.54, subdivision 4, by adding a subdivision; 332.57, subdivision 2; 332A.03; 332B.04, by adding a subdivision; proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 61B; repealing Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 53B.27, subdivisions 3, 4; 60A.07, subdivision 1a; 72B.14.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

ARTICLE 1

COMMERCE PROVISIONS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 47.60, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 7. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 48A.11, is amended to read:

48A.11 NATIONAL BANKS AS FIDUCIARIES.

A national bank in this state granted a special permit to act in a fiduciary capacity by either the Federal Reserve Board under subsection K of section 11 of the Federal Reserve Act, as amended by the act of September 26, 1918, or the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency under the provisions of United States Code, title 12, section 92a, may without oath or security assign, transfer to, and deposit with the commissioner, the kinds and amounts of authorized securities required by section 48A.03 of a bank or trust company in a city in which the national bank is located. If the national bank has a capital of $500,000 or more, it is not required to deposit these securities for more than the lesser ofnew text begin $1,000,000 ornew text end ten percent of deleted text begin this capital or $1,000,000deleted text end new text begin the amount of assets the bank is acting in a fiduciary capacity for at offices located in Minnesotanew text end . The securities so deposited must be held and maintained as a guaranty fund for the national bank for the performance of its duties in this fiduciary capacity.

When a national bank has complied with section 48A.03, no oath or security is required of it to accept and perform the trust, as provided in section 48A.07, subdivision 4.

For purposes of this section, "bank" and "trust company" have the meanings given in section 48A.09.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 53.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 9. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 53A.03, is amended to read:

53A.03 APPLICATION FOR LICENSE; FEES.

(a) An application for a license must be in writing, under oath, and in the form prescribed and furnished by the commissioner and must contain the following:

(1) the full name and address (both of residence and place of business) of the applicant, and if the applicant is a partnership or association, of every member, and the name and business address if the applicant is a corporation;

(2) the county and municipality, with street and number, if any, of all currency exchange locations operated by the applicant; and

(3) the applicant's occupation or profession, for the ten years immediately preceding the application; present or previous connection with any other currency exchange in this or any other state; whether the applicant has ever been convicted of any crime; and the nature of the applicant's occupancy of the premises to be licensed; and if the applicant is a partnership or a corporation, the information specified in this paragraph must be supplied for each partner and each officer and director of the corporation. If the applicant is a partnership or a nonpublicly held corporation, the information specified in this paragraph must be required of each partner and each officer, director, and stockholders owning in excess of ten percent of the corporate stock of the corporation.

(b) The application shall be accompanied by a nonrefundable fee of $1,000 for the review of the initial application. Upon approval by the commissioner, an additional license fee of $500 must be paid by the applicant as an annual license fee for the remainder of the calendar year. An annual license fee of $500 is due for each subsequent calendar year of operation upon submission of a license renewal application on or before September 1. Fees must be deposited in the state treasury and credited to the general fund. Upon payment of the required annual license fee, the commissioner shall issue a license for the year beginning January 1.

(c) The commissioner shall require the applicant to submit to a background investigation conducted by the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension as a condition of licensure. As part of the background investigation, the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension shall conduct criminal history checks of Minnesota records and is authorized to exchange fingerprints with the Federal Bureau of Investigation for the purpose of a criminal background check of the national files. The cost of the investigation must be paid by the applicant.

new text begin (d) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end For purposes of this section, "applicant" includes an employee who exercises management or policy control over the company, a director, an officer, a limited or general partner, a manager, or a shareholder holding more than ten percent of the outstanding stock of the corporation.

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 53B.07, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 6. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 53C.01, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Sales finance company.

"Sales finance company" means a person engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of purchasing retail installment contracts new text begin entered into new text end in this state from one or more retail sellers. The term includes a bank, trust company, or industrial loan and thrift company, if so engaged. The term also includes a retail seller engaged, in whole or in part, in the business of creating and holding retail installment contracts. The term does not include the pledges of an aggregate number of the contracts to secure a bona fide loan thereon.

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 53C.02, is amended to read:

53C.02 SALES FINANCE COMPANY; LICENSE, FEES, REFUND.

(a) No person shall engage in the business of a sales finance company in this state without a license therefor as provided in sections 53C.01 to 53C.14 provided, however, that no bank, trust company, savings bank, savings association, or credit union, whether state or federally chartered, industrial loan and thrift company, or licensee under the Minnesota Regulated Loan Act authorized to do business in this state shall be required to obtain a license under sections 53C.01 to 53C.14.

(b) The application for a license shall be in writing, under oath and in the form prescribed by the commissioner. The application shall contain the name of the applicant; date of incorporation, if incorporated; the address where the business is or is to be conducted and similar information as to any branch office of the applicant; the name and resident address of the owner or partners, or, if a corporation or association, of the directors, trustees and principal officers, and other pertinent information the commissioner requires.

(c) The licensee fee for the fiscal year beginning July 1 and ending June 30 of the following year, or any part thereof shall be the sum of $250 for the principal place of business of the licensee, and the sum of $125 for each branch of the licenseedeleted text begin , maintained in this statedeleted text end . Any licensee who proves to the satisfaction of the commissioner, by affidavit or other proof satisfactory to the commissioner, that during the 12 calendar months of the immediately preceding fiscal year, for which the license has been paid that the licensee has not held retail installment contracts exceeding $15,000 in amount, shall be entitled to a refund of that portion of each license fee paid in excess of $25. The commissioner shall certify to the commissioner of management and budget that the licensee is entitled to a refund, and payment thereof shall be made by the commissioner of management and budget. The amount necessary to pay for the refundment of the license fee is appropriated out of the general fund. All license fees received by the commissioner under sections 53C.01 to 53C.14 shall be deposited with the commissioner of management and budget.

(d) Each license shall specify the location of the office or branch and must be conspicuously displayed there. In case the location be changed, the commissioner shall endorse the change of location on the license.

(e) Upon the filing of such application, and the payment of the fee, the commissioner shall issue a license to the applicant to engage in the business of a sales finance company under and in accordance with the provisions of sections 53C.01 to 53C.14 for a period which shall expire the last day of June next following the date of its issuance. The license shall not be transferable or assignable. No licensee shall transact any business provided for by sections 53C.01 to 53C.14 under any other name.

new text begin (f) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 56.02, is amended to read:

56.02 APPLICATION FEE.

new text begin (a) new text end Application for license shall be in writing, under oath, and in the form prescribed by the commissioner, and contain the name and the address, both of the residence and place of business, of the applicant and, if the applicant is a copartnership or association, of every member thereof, and if a corporation, of each officer and director thereof; also the county and municipality, with street and number, if any, where the business is to be conducted, and such further information as the commissioner may require. The applicant at the time of making application, shall pay to the commissioner the sum of $500 as a fee for investigating the application, and the additional sum of $250 as an annual license fee for a period terminating on the last day of the current calendar year. In addition to the annual license fee, every licensee hereunder shall pay to the commissioner the actual costs of each examination, as provided for in section 56.10. All moneys collected by the commissioner under this chapter shall be turned over to the commissioner of management and budget and credited by the commissioner of management and budget to the general fund of the state.

new text begin (b) new text end Every applicant shall also prove, in form satisfactory to the commissioner, that the applicant has available for the operation of the business at the location specified in the application, liquid assets of at least $50,000.

new text begin (c) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 58.02, subdivision 21, is amended to read:

Subd. 21.

Residential real deleted text begin property; residential realdeleted text end estate.

deleted text begin "Residential real property" or "residential real estate" means real property improved or intended to be improved by a structure designed principally for the occupancy of from one to four families, whether or not the owner occupies the real property. deleted text end new text begin "Residential real estate" means real property located in Minnesota upon which a dwelling is constructed or is intended to be constructed, whether or not the owner occupies the real property. new text end

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 58.06, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 58A.02, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Residential mortgage loan.

"Residential mortgage loan" means a loan primarily for personal, family, or household use that is secured by a mortgage, deed of trust, or other equivalent consensual security interest on a dwelling, as defined in United States Code, title 15, section 1602deleted text begin (v)deleted text end new text begin (w)new text end , or residential real estate upon which a dwelling is constructed or intended to be constructed.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 58A.13, is amended to read:

58A.13 SURETY BOND REQUIRED.

Subdivision 1.

Coverage, form, and rules.

(a) Each mortgage loan originator must be covered by a surety bond meeting the requirements of deleted text begin thisdeleted text end sectionnew text begin 58.08new text end . In the event that the mortgage loan originator is an employee or exclusive agent of a person subject to this chapter, the surety bond of the person subject to this chapter can be used in lieu of the mortgage loan originator's surety bond requirement.

(b) The surety bond shall provide coverage for each mortgage loan originator in an amount as prescribed in subdivision 2.

(c) The surety bond must be in a form as prescribed by the commissioner.

Subd. 2.

Penal sum of surety bond.

The penal sum of the surety bond must be maintained in deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin thenew text end amount that reflects the dollar amount of loans originated as determined deleted text begin by the commissionerdeleted text end new text begin under section 58.08, subdivision 1a, paragraph (c)new text end .

Subd. 3.

Action on bond.

When an action is commenced on a licensee'snew text begin residential mortgage originatornew text end bondnew text begin ,new text end the commissioner may require the filing of a new bond.

Subd. 4.

New bond.

Immediately upon recovery upon any action on the bondnew text begin ,new text end the deleted text begin licenseedeleted text end new text begin residential mortgage originatornew text end shall file a new bond.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 59A.03, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 60A.031, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Examination report; foreign and domestic companies.

(a) The commissioner shall make a full and true report of every examination conducted pursuant to this chapter, which shall include (1) a statement of findings of fact relating to the financial status and other matters ascertained from the books, papers, records, documents, and other evidence obtained by investigation and examination or ascertained from the testimony of officers, agents, or other persons examined under oath concerning the business, affairs, assets, obligations, ability to fulfill obligations, and compliance with all the provisions of the law of the company, applicant, organization, or person subject to this chapter and (2) a summary of important points noted in the report, conclusions, recommendations and suggestions as may reasonably be warranted from the facts so ascertained in the examinations. The report of examination shall be verified by the oath of the examiner in charge thereof, and shall be prima facie evidence in any action or proceedings in the name of the state against the company, applicant, organization, or person upon the facts stated therein.

(b) No later than 60 days following completion of the examination, the examiner in charge shall file with the department a verified written report of examination under oath. Upon receipt of the verified report, the department shall transmit the report to the company examined, together with a notice which provides the company examined with a reasonable opportunity of not more than 30 days to make a written submission or rebuttal with respect to matters contained in the examination report.

(c) Within 30 days of the end of the period allowed for the receipt of written submissions or rebuttals, the commissioner shall fully consider and review the report, together with the written submissions or rebuttals and the relevant portions of the examiner's work papers and enter an order:

(1) adopting the examination report as filed or with modification or corrections. If the examination report reveals that the company is operating in violation of any law, rule, or prior order of the commissioner, the commissioner may order the company to take any action the commissioner considers necessary and appropriate to cure the violation;

(2) rejecting the examination report with directions to the examiners to reopen the examination for purposes of obtaining additional data, documentation, or information, and refiling the report as required under paragraph (b); or

(3) calling for an investigatory hearing with no less than 20 days' notice to the company for purposes of obtaining additional documentation, data, information, and testimony.

(d)(1) All orders entered under paragraph (c), clause (1), must be accompanied by findings and conclusions resulting from the commissioner's consideration and review of the examination report, relevant examiner work papers, and any written submissions or rebuttals. The order is a final administrative decision and may be appealed as provided under chapter 14. The order must be served upon the company by certified mail, together with a copy of the adopted examination report. Within 30 days of the issuance of the adopted report, the company shall file affidavits executed by each of its directors stating under oath that they have received a copy of the adopted report and related orders.

(2) A hearing conducted under paragraph (c), clause (3), by the commissioner or authorized representative, must be conducted as a nonadversarial confidential investigatory proceeding as necessary for the resolution of inconsistencies, discrepancies, or disputed issues apparent upon the face of the filed examination report or raised by or as a result of the commissioner's review of relevant work papers or by the written submission or rebuttal of the company. Within 20 days of the conclusion of the hearing, the commissioner shall enter an order as required under paragraph (c), clause (1).

(3) The commissioner shall not appoint an examiner as an authorized representative to conduct the hearing. The hearing must proceed expeditiously. Discovery by the company is limited to the examiner's work papers which tend to substantiate assertions in a written submission or rebuttal. The commissioner or the commissioner's representative may issue subpoenas for the attendance of witnesses or the production of documents considered relevant to the investigation whether under the control of the department, the company, or other persons. The documents produced must be included in the record. Testimony taken by the commissioner or the commissioner's representative must be under oath and preserved for the record.

This section does not require the department to disclose information or records which would indicate or show the existence or content of an investigation or activity of a criminal justice agency.

(4) The hearing must proceed with the commissioner or the commissioner's representative posing questions to the persons subpoenaed. Thereafter, the company and the department may present testimony relevant to the investigation. Cross-examination may be conducted only by the commissioner or the commissioner's representative. The company and the department shall be permitted to make closing statements and may be represented by counsel of their choice.

(e)(1) Upon the adoption of the examination report under paragraph (c), clause (1), the commissioner shall continue to hold the content of the examination report as private and confidential information for a period of 30 days except as otherwise provided in paragraph (b). Thereafter, the commissioner may open the report for public inspection if a court of competent jurisdiction has not stayed its publication.

(2) Nothing contained in this subdivision prevents or shall be construed as prohibiting the commissioner from disclosing the content of an examination report, preliminary examination report or results, or any matter relating to the reports, to the Commerce Department or the insurance department of another state or country, or to law enforcement officials of this or another state or agency of the federal government at any time, if the agency or office receiving the report or matters relating to the report agrees in writing to hold it confidential and in a manner consistent with this subdivision.

(3) If the commissioner determines that regulatory action is appropriate as a result of an examination, the commissioner may initiate proceedings or actions as provided by law.

(f) All working papers, new text begin scheduling orders, new text end recorded information, documents and copies thereof produced by, obtained by, or disclosed to the commissioner or any other person in the course of an examination made under this subdivision, or in the course of market analysis, new text begin including documents related to scheduling conferences, new text end must be given confidential treatment and are not subject to subpoena and may not be made public by the commissioner or any other person, except to the extent provided in paragraph (e). Access may also be granted to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, and any national securities association registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The parties must agree in writing prior to receiving the information to provide to it the same confidential treatment as required by this section, unless the prior written consent of the company to which it pertains has been obtained. For purposes of this section, "market analysis" means a process whereby market conduct surveillance personnel collect and analyze information from filed schedules, surveys, required reports, such as the NAIC Market Conduct Annual Statement, or other sources in order to develop a baseline profile of an insurer, to review the operation or activity of an insurer, or to identify patterns or practices of insurers licensed to do business in this state that deviate significantly from the norm or that may pose a potential risk to the insurance consumer.

(g) Information in the possession or control of, or obtained or disclosed to, the commissioner in the course of, or derived from, market analysis, as defined in paragraph (f), by an insurance company new text begin and any scheduling order, supplement to a scheduling order, or document related to a scheduling conference required under section 60A.033 new text end is:

(1) subject to confidential treatment as provided under paragraph (f); and

(2) not subject to subpoena or other discovery nor admissible in evidence in a private civil action. Neither the commissioner nor any person who received information while acting under the authority of the commissioner is permitted or required to testify in a private civil action concerning the information. Nothing in this paragraph limits the ability of the commissioner to use the information in furtherance of an action brought by the commissioner.

(h) Requests for information issued by the commissioner to an insurance company in the course of a market analysis, as defined in paragraph (f), must be issued under the commissioner's authority as provided in this section.

(i) Notwithstanding paragraph (h), the commissioner may request information from an insurance company pursuant to the commissioner's authority under section 45.027, subdivision 1a or 2, if:

(1) the request for information is in connection with an unresolved consumer complaint; or

(2) there is an imminent risk of significant harm to a consumer.

(j) Requests for information from the commissioner to an insurance company under paragraph (i) are not subject to section 60A.033.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 60A.07, subdivision 1d, is amended to read:

Subd. 1d.

Certificate of incorporation; amendments.

The certificate of incorporation of an insurance corporation organized and existing under the laws of this state may be amended in the manner set forth in section 302A.135. deleted text begin Amendments must be filed with the secretary of state in the manner set forth in section 302A.151, except the secretary of state may not accept a certificate of filing unless the certificate also contains the endorsement of the commissioner of commerce.deleted text end new text begin Amendments are effective upon the commissioner's approval.new text end

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 60A.16, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Scope.

(1) Domestic insurance corporations. Any two or more domestic insurance corporations, formed for any of the purposes for which stock, mutual, or stock and mutual insurance corporations, or reciprocal or interinsurance contract exchanges might be formed under the laws of this state, may be

(a) merged into one of such domestic insurance corporations, or

(b) consolidated into a new insurance corporation to be formed under the laws of this state.

(2) Domestic and foreign insurance corporations. Any such domestic insurance corporations and any foreign insurance corporations formed to carry on any insurance business for the conduct of which an insurance corporation might be organized under the laws of this state, may be

(a) merged into one of such domestic insurance corporations, or

(b) merged into one of such foreign insurance corporations, or

(c) deleted text begin consolidated into a new insurance corporation to be formed under the laws of this state, ordeleted text end

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end consolidated into a new insurance corporation to be formed under the laws of the government under which one of such foreign insurance corporations was formed, provided that each of such foreign insurance corporations is authorized by the laws of the government under which it was formed to effect such merger or consolidation.

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 60A.16, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Procedure to be followed.

(1) Plan of merger. The merger or consolidation of insurance corporations can be effected only as a result of a plan of merger adopted, approved, and filed as follows:

(a) A resolution containing the plan of merger shall be approved by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the board of each constituent corporation. The plan of merger shall prescribe the terms and conditions of merger or consolidation, and the mode of carrying the same into effect, with such other details and provisions as are deemed necessary. In the case of merging or consolidating stock insurance corporations or stock and mutual insurance corporations, such plan of merger may prescribe that stock of one or more of such corporations shall be converted, in whole or in part, into stock or other securities of a corporation which is not a merging or consolidating corporation or into cash.

(b) The plan of merger, or a summary of the plan approved by the commissioner, shall be submitted to the respective shareholders or members, as the case may be, of each constituent corporation, for consideration at a regular meeting or at a special meeting duly called for the purpose of considering and acting upon the plan. Written notice of the meeting, which shall state that the purpose of the meeting is to consider the proposed plan of merger, shall be given to each shareholder or member entitled to vote upon the plan of merger not less than 30 nor more than 60 days before the meeting. The plan of merger must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the voting power of the shareholders or members present or represented at the meeting of each constituent corporation; provided, however, that in the case of a merger, except one in which any shares of the surviving insurance corporation are to be converted into shares or other securities of another corporation or into cash, the agreement need not be submitted to the shareholders or members of that one of the insurance corporations into which it has been agreed the others shall be merged. Upon receiving the approval of the shareholders or members of each constituent corporation, articles of merger shall be prepared that contain the plan of merger and a statement that the plan has been approved by each corporation under this section.

(c) The articles of mergernew text begin and plan of mergernew text end shall be delivered to the commissioner of commerce, who, if the plan of merger is reasonable and if the provisions thereof providing for any transfer of assets and assumption of liabilities are fair and equitable to the claimants and policyholders, shall deleted text begin place a certificate of approval on the articles ofdeleted text end new text begin issue an order approving thenew text end merger deleted text begin and shall file the articles in the commissioner's office, anddeleted text end new text begin .new text end Copies of the articlesnew text begin of mergernew text end , certified by the commissioner of commerce, shall be deleted text begin filed for record in the Office of the Secretary of State anddeleted text end delivered to the surviving corporation or its legal representative.

(2) Articles of incorporation of new company. (a) If the plan of merger is for a consolidation into a new insurance corporation to be formed under any law or laws of this state, articles of incorporation for such new insurance corporation shall be prepared and delivered to the commissioner of commerce together with the articles of merger as provided in clause (1) hereof.

(b) Such articles shall be prepared, executed, approved, filed and recorded in the form and manner prescribed in, or applicable to, the particular law or laws under which the new insurance corporation is to be formed.

(3) Abandonment. A proposed merger or consolidation may be abandoned at any time prior to approval by the commissioner under the provision for abandonment, if any, set forth in the plan of merger.

(4) Mutual insurance holding companies. In the case of a merger of two mutual insurance holding companies under section 66A.40, subdivision 2, paragraph (c), the procedures set forth in subdivisions 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6 shall apply, subject to the following:

(a) the plan of merger must be fair and reasonable to the members of each constituent corporation;

(b) no member of either constituent corporation on the effective date of the merger shall lose membership solely on account of the merger;

(c) membership and voting rights in each respective constituent corporation for purposes of the meeting of the members held to consider the plan of merger shall be determined in accordance with the articles and bylaws of that constituent corporation as of a record date established in the plan of merger; and

(d) the commissioner may require changes to the plan or require certain undertakings from the surviving corporation to assure compliance with this clause.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 82.68, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Financial interests disclosure; licensee.

(a) Before the negotiation or consummation of any transaction, a licensee shall affirmatively disclose to the owner of real property that the licensee is a real estate broker or agent salesperson, and in what capacity the licensee is acting, if the licensee directly, or indirectly through a third party, purchases for himself or herself or acquires, or intends to acquire, any interest in, or any option to purchase, the owner's property.

(b) When a principal in the transaction is a licensee or a relative or business associate of the licensee, that fact must be disclosed in writingnew text begin before negotiating or consummating any transactionnew text end .

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 82C.03, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Owner requirements.

(a) An appraisal management company applying to the commissioner for a license in this state deleted text begin maydeleted text end new text begin mustnew text end not be deleted text begin more than ten percentdeleted text end owned by any person that is currently subject to any cease and desist order or injunctive order that would preclude involvement with an appraisal management company, or that has ever:

(1) voluntarily surrendered in lieu of disciplinary action an appraiser certification, registration or license, or an appraisal management company license;

(2) been the subject of a final order revoking or denying an appraiser certification, registration or license, or an appraisal management company license; or

(3) a final order barring involvement in any industry or profession issued by this or another state or federal regulatory agency.

(b) A person that owns more than ten percent of an appraisal management company in this state shall:

(1) be of good moral character, as determined by the commissioner;

(2) submit to a background investigation, as determined by the commissioner; and

(3) certify to the commissioner that the person has never been the subject of an order of certificate, registration or license suspension, revocation, or denial; cease and desist order; injunctive order; or order barring involvement in an industry or profession issued by this or another state or federal regulatory agency.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 82C.06, is amended to read:

82C.06 EXEMPTIONS.

This chapter does not apply to:

(1) a person that exclusively employs appraisers on an employer and employee basis for the performance of appraisals, and:

(i) the employer is responsible for ensuring that the appraisals are performed by employees in accordance with USPAP; and

(ii) the employer accepts all liability associated with the performance of the appraisal by the employee;

(2) a department or unit within a financial institution that is subject to direct regulation by an agency of the United States government, or to regulation by an agency of this state, that receives a request for the performance of an appraisal from one employee of the financial institution, and another employee of the same financial institution assigns the request for the appraisal to an appraiser that is an independent contractor to the institution, except that an appraisal management company that is a wholly owned subsidiary of a financial institution deleted text begin shall not bedeleted text end new text begin isnew text end considered a department or unit within a financial institution to which the provisions of this chapter do not apply;

(3) a person that enters into an agreement, whether written or otherwise, with an appraiser for the performance of an appraisal, and upon the completion of the appraisal, the report of the appraiser performing the appraisal is signed by both the appraiser who completed the appraisal and the appraiser who requested the completion of the appraisal, except that an appraisal management company may not avoid the requirements of this chapter by requiring that an employee of the appraisal management company that is an appraiser to sign an appraisal that is completed by an appraiser that is part of the appraisal panel of the appraisal management company; or

(4) any governmental agency performing appraisals on behalf of that level of government or any agency performing ad valorem tax appraisals for county assessors.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 82C.15, is amended to read:

82C.15 ADJUDICATION OF DISPUTES BETWEEN AN APPRAISAL MANAGEMENT COMPANY AND AN INDEPENDENT APPRAISER.

deleted text begin Except within the first 30 days after an independent appraiser is first added to the appraiser panel of an appraisal management company,deleted text end An appraisal management company may not remove an appraiser from its appraiser panel, or otherwise refuse to assign requests for real estate appraisal services to an independent appraiser without:

(1) notifying the appraiser in writing of the reasons why the appraiser is being removed from the appraiser panel or is not receiving appraisal requests from the appraisal management company;

(2) if the appraiser is being removed from the panel for illegal conduct, having determined that the appraiser has violated USPAP, or chapter 82B, taking into account the nature of the alleged conduct or violation; and

(3) providing an opportunity for the appraiser to respond and appeal the notification of the appraisal management company.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 216C.437, subdivision 11, is amended to read:

Subd. 11.

Powers of the commissioner.

(a) The commissioner has under this section the same powers the commissioner has under section 45.027, including the authority to impose a civil penalty not to exceed $10,000 per violation.

(b) The commissioner may condition or refuse to renew a license for any of the reasons the commissioner may deny, suspend, or revoke a license.

(c) The commissioner may order restitution against persons subject to this section for violations of this section.

(d) The commissioner may issue orders or directives under this section as follows:

(1) order or direct persons subject to this chapter to cease and desist from conducting business, including immediate temporary orders to cease and desist;

(2) order or direct persons subject to this chapter to cease any harmful activities or violations of this chapter, including immediate temporary orders to cease and desist;

(3) enter immediate temporary orders to cease business under a license if the commissioner determines that the license was erroneously granted or the licensee is currently in violation of this chapter; and

(4) order or direct other affirmative action the commissioner considers necessary.

(e) Each violation or failure to comply with any directive or order of the commissioner is a separate and distinct violation or failure.

new text begin (f) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332.30, is amended to read:

332.30 ACCELERATED MORTGAGE PAYMENT PROVIDER; BOND REQUIREMENTS.

(a) Before beginning business in this state, an accelerated mortgage payment provider, as defined in section 332A.02, subdivision 8, clause (9), shall submit to the commissioner of commerce an authorization fee of $250 and either:

(1) a surety bond in which the accelerated mortgage payment provider is the obligor, in an amount determined by the commissioner; or

(2) if the commissioner agrees to accept it, a deposit:

(i) in cash in an amount equivalent to the bond amount; or

(ii) of authorized securities, as defined in section 50.14, with an aggregate market value equal to the bond amount. The cash or securities must be deposited with the commissioner of management and budget.

(b) The amount of the bond required by the commissioner shall vary with the amount of Minnesota client funds held or to be held by the obligor. For new businesses, the bond must be no less than $100,000, except as provided in section 332.301. The commissioner may increase the required bond amount upon 30 days' notice to the accelerated mortgage payment provider.

(c) If a bond is submitted, it must name as surety an insurance company authorized to transact fidelity and surety business in this state. The bond must run to the state of Minnesota for the use of the state and of any person who may have a claim against the obligor arising out of the obligor's activities as an accelerated mortgage payment provider. The bond must be conditioned that the obligor will not commit any fraudulent act and will faithfully conform to and abide by the provisions of accelerated mortgage payment agreements with Minnesota residents.

new text begin (d) new text end If an accelerated mortgage payment provider has failed to account to a mortgagor or distribute funds to the mortgagee as required by an accelerated mortgage payment agreement, the mortgagor or the mortgagor's legal representative or receiver or the commissioner shall have, in addition to any other legal remedies, a right of action in the name of the debtor on the bond or the security given pursuant to this section.

new text begin (e) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332.54, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Update of information.

The credit services organization must update the registration statement required under this section not later than deleted text begin 90deleted text end new text begin 30new text end days after the date from which a change in the information required in the statement occurs.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332.54, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332.57, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Contents.

The disclosure statement required under subdivision 1 must be printed in boldface and in at least 10-point type and must include the following statement:

"CONSUMER CREDIT FILE RIGHTS UNDER MINNESOTA AND FEDERAL LAW

deleted text begin You have a right to obtain a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. You may be charged a reasonable fee. There is no fee, however, if you have been turned down for credit, employment, insurance, or a rental dwelling because of information in your credit report within the preceding 30 days. The credit bureau must provide someone to help you interpret the information in your credit file. deleted text end

deleted text begin You have a right to dispute inaccurate information by contacting the credit bureau directly. However, neither you nor any "credit repair" company or credit services organization has the right to have accurate, current, and verifiable information removed from your credit bureau report. Under the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act, the credit bureau must remove accurate, negative information from your report only if it is over seven years old. Bankruptcy can be reported for ten years. deleted text end

deleted text begin You have a right to sue a credit repair company that violates Minnesota's Credit Services Organization Act. This law prohibits deceptive practices by credit repair companies and gives you a right to cancel your contract for any reason within five working days from the date you signed it. deleted text end

deleted text begin Credit bureaus are required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure that creditors report information accurately. However, mistakes may occur. deleted text end

deleted text begin You may, on your own, notify a credit bureau in writing that you dispute the accuracy of information in your credit file. The credit bureau must then reinvestigate and modify or remove inaccurate information. The credit bureau may not charge any fee for this service. Any pertinent information and copies of any documents you have concerning an error should be given to the credit bureau. deleted text end

deleted text begin If reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you may send a brief statement to the credit bureau to keep in your file, explaining why you think the record is inaccurate. The credit bureau must include your statement about disputed information with any reports it issues about you." deleted text end

new text begin You have a right to dispute inaccurate information in your credit report by contacting the credit bureau directly. However, neither you nor any 'credit repair' company or credit repair organization has the right to have accurate, current, and verifiable information removed from your credit report. The credit bureau must remove accurate, negative information from your report only if it is over seven years old. Bankruptcy information can be reported for ten years. new text end

new text begin You have a right to obtain a copy of your credit report from a credit bureau. You may be charged a reasonable fee. There is no fee, however, if you have been turned down for credit, employment, insurance, or a rental dwelling because of information in your credit report within the preceding 60 days. The credit bureau must provide assistance to help you interpret the information in your credit file. You are entitled to receive a free copy of your credit report if you are unemployed and intend to apply for employment in the next 60 days, if you are a recipient of public welfare assistance, or if you have reason to believe that there is inaccurate information in your credit report due to fraud. new text end

new text begin You have a right to sue a credit repair ORGANIZATION that violates the Credit Repair Organization Act. This law prohibits deceptive practices by credit repair organizations. new text end

new text begin You have the right to cancel your contract with any credit repair organization for any reason within three business days of the date you signed it. new text end

new text begin Credit bureaus are required to follow reasonable procedures to ensure that the information they report is accurate. However, mistakes may occur. new text end

new text begin You may, on your own, notify a credit bureau in writing that you dispute the accuracy of information in your credit file. The credit bureau must then reinvestigate and modify or remove inaccurate or incomplete information. The credit bureau is prohibited from charging any fee for this service. Any pertinent information and copies of all documents you have concerning an error should be given to the credit bureau. new text end

new text begin If the credit bureau's reinvestigation does not resolve the dispute to your satisfaction, you may send a brief statement to the credit bureau, to be kept in your file, explaining why you think the record is inaccurate. The credit bureau must include a summary of your statement about disputed information with any report it issues about you." new text end

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332A.03, is amended to read:

332A.03 REQUIREMENT OF REGISTRATION.

new text begin (a) new text end On or after August 1, 2007, it is unlawful for any person, whether or not located in this state, to operate as a debt management services provider or provide debt management services, including but not limited to offering, advertising, or executing or causing to be executed any debt management services or debt management services agreement, except as authorized by law without first becoming registered as provided in this chapter. A person who possesses a valid license as a debt prorater that was issued by the commissioner before August 1, 2007, is deemed to be registered as a debt management services provider until the date the debt prorater license expires, at which time the licensee must obtain a renewal as a debt management services provider in compliance with this chapter. Debt proraters who were not required to be licensed as debt proraters before August 1, 2007, may continue to provide debt management services without complying with this chapter to those debtors who entered into a contract to participate in a debt management plan before August 1, 2007, except that the debt prorater must comply with section 332A.13, subdivision 2.

new text begin (b) Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 332B.04, is amended by adding a subdivision to read:

new text begin Subd. 8. new text end

new text begin Records and fees; maintenance and processing. new text end

new text begin Section 58A.04, subdivisions 2 and 3, apply to this section. new text end

Sec. 29.

new text begin REPEALER. new text end

new text begin Minnesota Statutes 2018, sections 53B.27, subdivisions 3 and 4; 60A.07, subdivision 1a; and 72B.14, new text end new text begin are repealed. new text end

ARTICLE 2

LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTEE ACT AMENDMENTS

Section 1.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 60B.02, is amended to read:

60B.02 PERSONS COVERED.

The proceedings authorized by sections 60B.01 to 60B.61 may be applied to:

(1) all insurers who are doing, or have done, an insurance business in this state, and against whom claims arising from that business may exist now or in the future;

(2) all insurers who purport to do an insurance business in this state;

(3) all insurers who have insureds resident in this state;

(4) all other persons organized or in the process of organizing with the intent to do an insurance business in this state; and

(5) all nonprofit service plan corporations incorporated or operating under the Nonprofit Health Service Plan Corporation Act,new text begin all health maintenance organizations operating under chapter 62D,new text end any health plan incorporated under chapter 317A, all fraternal benefit societies operating under chapter 64B, except those associations enumerated in section 64B.38, all township mutual or other companies operating under chapter 67A, and all reciprocals or interinsurance exchanges operating under chapter 71A.

Sec. 2.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.19, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Purpose.

(a) The purpose of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 is to protect, subject to certain limitations, the persons specified in subdivision 2 against failure in the performance of contractual obligationsdeleted text begin ,deleted text end under life deleted text begin insurance policiesdeleted text end , health deleted text begin insurance policiesdeleted text end , new text begin and new text end annuity new text begin policies or new text end contracts, and new text begin the new text end supplemental contracts specified in subdivision 2, because of the impairment or insolvency of the member insurer that issued the policies or contracts.

(b) To provide this protection, an association ofnew text begin membernew text end insurers has been created and exists to pay benefits and to continue coverages, as limited in sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. Members of the association are subject to assessment to provide funds to carry out the purpose of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

Sec. 3.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.19, subdivision 2, is amended to read:

Subd. 2.

Scope.

(a) Sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 provide coverage for the policies and contracts specified in paragraph (b) to:

(1) persons who are owners deleted text begin of ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end certificate holdersnew text begin , or enrolleesnew text end under these policies or contracts, or, (i) in the case of unallocated annuity contracts, to the persons who are participants in a covered retirement plan, or (ii) in the case of structured settlement annuities, to persons who are payees in respect of their liability claims (or beneficiaries of such payees who are deceased) and who:

(A) are residents; or

(B) are not residents, but only under all of the following conditions: the new text begin member new text end insurers that issued the policies or contracts are domiciled in the state of Minnesota; those insurers never held a license or certificate of authority in the states in which those persons reside; those states have associations similar to the association created by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32; and those persons are not eligible for coverage by those associations; and

(2) persons who, regardless of where they reside, except for nonresident certificate holders under group policies or contracts, are the beneficiaries, assignees, or payees of the persons covered under clause (1).new text begin This includes health care providers rendering services covered by a health insurance policy or contract.new text end

(b) Sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 provide coverage to the persons specified in paragraph (a) for direct, nongroup lifenew text begin insurancenew text end , healthnew text begin insurancenew text end , annuity, and supplemental policies or contracts, for subscriber contracts issued by a nonprofit health service plan corporation operating under chapter 62C, new text begin for health maintenance contracts issued by a health maintenance organization under chapter 62D, new text end for certificates under direct group policies and contracts, and for unallocated annuity contracts issued by member insurers, except as limited by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. Except as expressly excluded under subdivision 3, annuity contracts and certificates under group annuity contracts include, but are not limited to, guaranteed investment contracts, deposit administration contracts, unallocated funding agreements, allocated funding agreements, structured settlement annuities, annuities issued to or in connection with government lotteries, and any immediate or deferred annuity contracts. Covered unallocated annuity contracts include those that fund a qualified defined contribution retirement plan under sections 401, 403(b), and 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992.

Sec. 4.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.19, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Limitation of coverage.

Sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 do not provide coverage for:

(1) a portion of a policy or contract not guaranteed by the new text begin member new text end insurer, or under which the investment risk is borne by the policy or contract holder;

(2) a policy or contract of reinsurance, unless assumption certificates have been issued and the insured has consented to the assumption as provided under section 60A.09, subdivision 4a;

(3) a policy or contract issued by an assessment benefit association operating under section 61A.39, or a fraternal benefit society operating under chapter 64B;

(4) any obligation to nonresident participants of a covered retirement plan or to the plan sponsor, employer, trustee, or other party who owns the contract; in these cases, the association is obligated under this chapter only to participants in a covered plan who are residents of the state of Minnesota on the date of impairment or insolvency;

(5) a structured settlement annuity in situations where a liability insurer remains liable to the payee;

(6) a portion of an unallocated annuity contract which is not issued to or in connection with a specific employee, union, or association of natural persons benefit plan or a governmental lottery, including but not limited to, a contract issued to, or purchased at the direction of, any governmental bonding authority, such as a municipal guaranteed investment contract;

(7) a portion of a policy or contract issued to a plan or program of an employer, association, or similar entity to provide life, health, or annuity benefits to its employees or members to the extent that the plan or program is self-funded or uninsured, including benefits payable by an employer, association, or similar entity under:

(i) a multiple employer welfare arrangement as defined in the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, United States Code, title 29, section 1002(40)(A), as amended;

(ii) a minimum premium group insurance plan;

(iii) a stop-loss group insurance plan; or

(iv) an administrative services only contract;

(8) any policy or contract issued by an insurer at a time when it was not licensed or did not have a certificate of authority to issue the policy or contract in this state;

(9) an unallocated annuity contract issued to or in connection with a benefit plan protected under the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation, regardless of whether the federal Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation has yet become liable to make any payments with respect to the benefit plan;

(10) a portion of a policy or contract to the extent that it provides for (i) dividends or experience rating credits except to the extent the dividends or experience rating credits have actually become due and payable or have been credited to the policy or contract before the date of impairment or insolvency, (ii) voting rights, or (iii) payment of any fees or allowances to any person, including the policy or contract holder, in connection with the service to, or administration of, the policy or contract;

(11) a contractual agreement that establishes the member insurer's obligations to provide a book value accounting guaranty for defined contribution benefit plan participants by reference to a portfolio of assets that is owned by the benefit plan or its trustee, which in each case is not an affiliate of the member insurer;

(12) a portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the rate of interest on which it is based, or the interest rate, crediting rate, or similar factor determined by use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract, employed in calculating returns or changes in value:

(i) averaged over the period of four years prior to the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting two percentage points from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average averaged for that same four-year period or for the lesser period if the policy or contract was issued less than four years before the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, whichever is earlier; and

(ii) on and after the date on which the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under this chapter, whichever is earlier, exceeds the rate of interest determined by subtracting three percentage points from Moody's Corporate Bond Yield Average as most recently available;

new text begin (iii) however, this paragraph shall not apply to a contract, policy, or rider for long-term care or health insurance; new text end

(13) a portion of a policy or contract to the extent it provides for interest or other changes in value to be determined by the use of an index or other external reference stated in the policy or contract, but which have not been credited to the policy or contract, or as to which the policy or contract owner's rights are subject to forfeiture, as of the date the member insurer becomes an impaired or insolvent insurer under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, whichever is earlier. If a policy's or contract's interest or changes in value are credited less frequently than annually, then for purposes of determining the values that have been credited and not subject to forfeiture under this clause, the interest or changes in value determined by using the procedures defined in the policy or contract will be credited as if the contractual date of crediting interest or changing values was the date of impairment or insolvency, whichever is earlier, and will not be subject to forfeiture;

(14) a portion of a policy or contract to the extent that the assessments required by section 61B.24 with respect to the policy or contract are preempted by federal or state law; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(15) a policy or contract providing any hospital, medical, prescription drug, or other health care benefits pursuant to United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, subchapter XVIII, Part C or Part D, commonly known as Medicare Part C & D, new text begin or United States Code, title 42, chapter 7, subchapter XIX, commonly known as Medicaid, new text end or any regulations issued under those provisionsnew text begin ; andnew text end

new text begin (16) structured settlement annuity benefits to which a payee or beneficiary has transferred his or her rights in a structured settlement factoring transaction, as defined in United States Code, title 26, section 5891, regardless of whether the transaction occurred before or after the effective date of section 5891new text end .

Sec. 5.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.19, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Limitation of benefits.

The benefits for which the association may become liable shall in no event exceed the lesser of:

(1) the contractual obligations for which thenew text begin membernew text end insurer is liable or would have been liable if it were not an impaired or insolvent insurer; or

(2) subject to the limitation in clause (5), with respect to any one life, regardless of the number of policies or contracts:

(i) $500,000 in life insurance death benefits, but not more than $130,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values for life insurance;

(ii) $500,000 in health insurancenew text begin , long-term care, and disability income insurancenew text end benefits, including any net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;

(iii) $250,000 in the present value of annuity benefits, including net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;

(iv) $410,000 in present value of annuity benefits for structured settlement annuities or for annuities in regard to which periodic annuity benefits, for a period of not less than the annuitant's lifetime or for a period certain of not less than ten years, have begun to be paid, on or before the date of impairment or insolvency; or

(3) subject to the limitations in clauses (5) and (6), with respect to each individual resident participating in a retirement plan, except a defined benefit plan, established under section 401, 403(b), or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992, covered by an unallocated annuity contract, or the beneficiaries of each such individual if deceased, in the aggregate, $250,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values;

(4) where no coverage limit has been specified for a covered policy or benefit, the coverage limit shall be $500,000 in present value;

(5) in no event shall the association be liable to deleted text begin expenddeleted text end new text begin covernew text end more than $500,000 in new text begin benefits in new text end the aggregate with respect to any one life under clause (2), items (i), (ii), (iii), (iv), and clause (4), and any one individual under clause (3);

(6) in no event shall the association be liable to deleted text begin expenddeleted text end new text begin covernew text end more than $10,000,000 new text begin in benefits new text end with respect to all unallocated annuities of a retirement plan, except a defined benefit plan, established under section 401, 403(b), or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992. If total claims from a plan exceed $10,000,000, the $10,000,000 shall be prorated among the claimants;

(7) for purposes of applying clause (2)(ii) and clause (5), with respect only to health insurance benefits, the term "any one life" applies to each individual covered by a health insurance policynew text begin or contractnew text end ;

(8) where covered contractual obligations are equal to or less than the limits stated in this subdivision, the association will pay the difference between the covered contractual obligations and the amount credited by the estate of the insolvent or impaired insurer, if that amount has been determined or, if it has not, the covered contractual limit, subject to the association's right of subrogation;

(9) where covered contractual obligations exceed the limits stated in this subdivision, the amount payable by the association will be determined as though the covered contractual obligations were equal to those limits. In making the determination, the estate shall be deemed to have credited the covered person the same amount as the estate would credit a covered person with contractual obligations equal to those limits; or

(10) the following illustrates how the principles stated in clauses (8) and (9) apply. The example illustrated concerns hypothetical claims subject to the limit stated in clause (2)(iii). The principles stated in clauses (8) and (9), and illustrated in this clause, apply to claims subject to any limits stated in this subdivision.

CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS OF:

$100,000
Estate Guaranty Association
0% recovery from estate $ 0
$100,000
25% recovery from estate $25,000
$75,000
50% recovery from estate $50,000
$50,000
75% recovery from estate $75,000
$25,000
$250,000
Estate Guaranty Association
0% recovery from estate $ 0
$250,000
25% recovery from estate $62,500
$187,500
50% recovery from estate $125,000
$125,000
75% recovery from estate $187,500
$62,500
$300,000
Estate Guaranty Association
0% recovery from estate $ 0
$250,000
25% recovery from estate $75,000
$187,500
50% recovery from estate $150,000
$125,000
75% recovery from estate $225,000
$62,500

Sec. 6.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.20, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Health insurance.

"Health insurance" means accident and health insurance as described in section 60A.06, subdivision 1, clause (5)(a), long-term care insurancenew text begin as described in section 62A.46, subdivision 2, and chapter 62Snew text end , credit accident and health insurance regulated under chapter 62B, deleted text begin anddeleted text end subscriber contracts issued by a nonprofit health service plan corporation operating under chapter 62Cnew text begin , and health maintenance contracts issued by a health maintenance organization operating under chapter 62Dnew text end .

Sec. 7.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.20, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Member insurer.

"Member insurer" means an insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end licensed or holding a certificate of authority to transact in this state any kind of insurancenew text begin or health maintenance organization businessnew text end for which coverage is provided under section 61B.19, subdivision 2, and includes an insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end whose license or certificate of authority in this state may have been suspended, revoked, not renewed, or voluntarily withdrawn. The term does not include:

(1) a nonprofit hospital or medical service organization, other than a nonprofit health service plan corporation that operates under chapter 62C;

deleted text begin (2) a health maintenance organization; deleted text end

deleted text begin (3)deleted text end new text begin (2)new text end a fraternal benefit society;

deleted text begin (4)deleted text end new text begin (3)new text end a mandatory state pooling plan;

deleted text begin (5)deleted text end new text begin (4)new text end a mutual assessment company or an entity that operates on an assessment basis;

deleted text begin (6)deleted text end new text begin (5)new text end an insurance exchange;

deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end a community integrated service network; or

deleted text begin (8)deleted text end new text begin (7)new text end an entity similar to those listed in clauses (1) to deleted text begin (7)deleted text end new text begin (6)new text end .

Sec. 8.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.20, subdivision 16, is amended to read:

Subd. 16.

Resident.

"Resident" means a person deleted text begin who resides indeleted text end new text begin whose principal place of residence isnew text end Minnesota at the time a member insurer is initially determined by the commissioner or a court to be an impaired or insolvent insurer and to whom a contractual obligation is owednew text begin , whichever occurs firstnew text end . A person may be a resident of only one state, which deleted text begin in the case ofdeleted text end new text begin for a natural person is the person's principle place of residence, for new text end a person other than a natural person is its principal place of business, and deleted text begin which, in the case ofdeleted text end new text begin fornew text end a trust, is the principal place of business of the settlor or entity which established the trust. Citizens of the United States who are either (i) residents of foreign countries, or (ii) residents of United States possessions, territories, or protectorates that do not have an association similar to the association created by sections 61B.19 to 61B.32, are considered residents of this state if the insurer that issued the covered policies or contracts was domiciled in this state.

Sec. 9.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.21, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Functions.

The Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association shall perform its functions under the plan of operation established and approved under section 61B.25, and shall exercise its powers through a board of directors. The association is not a state agency for purposes of chapter 16A, 16B, 16C, or 43A. For purposes of administration and assessment, the association shall establish and maintain two accounts:

(1) the life insurance and annuity account which includes the following subaccounts:

(i) the life insurance account;

(ii) the annuity account; and

(iii) the unallocated annuity account; and

(2) the health deleted text begin insurancedeleted text end account.

Sec. 10.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.22, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Members.

The board of directors of the association consists of nine deleted text begin membersdeleted text end new text begin member insurersnew text end serving terms as established in the plan of operation under section 61B.25. deleted text begin Members ofdeleted text end Thenew text begin insurernew text end boardnew text begin membersnew text end must be elected by member insurers, subject to the approval of the commissioner, for the terms of office specified in their nominations.new text begin Each elected insurer board member shall designate its representative and may designate an alternate.new text end Vacancies on the board shall be filled for the remaining period of the term by a majority vote of the remaining board members, subject to approval of the commissioner. In approving selections or in appointing deleted text begin members to the boarddeleted text end new text begin insurer board membersnew text end , the commissioner shall consider whether all member insurers are fairly represented.

Sec. 11.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Impaired domestic insurer.

If a member insurer is an impaired domestic insurer, the association may, in its discretion, and subject to any conditions imposed by the association that do not impair the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer and that are approved by the commissioner, and that are, except in cases of court ordered conservation or rehabilitation, also approved by the impaired insurer:

(1) guarantee, assume, new text begin reissue, new text end or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed, new text begin reissued, new text end or reinsured, any or all of the policies or contracts of the impaired insurer;

(2) provide money, pledges, notes, guarantees, or other means as are proper to exercise the power granted in clause (1) and assure payment of the contractual obligations of the impaired insurer pending action under clause (1); or

(3) loan money to the impaired insurer.

Sec. 12.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Insolvent insurer.

If a member insurer is an insolvent insurer then, subject to any conditions imposed by the association and approved by the commissioner, the association shall, in its discretion:

(1) guaranty, assume, new text begin reissue, new text end or reinsure, or cause to be guaranteed, assumed,new text begin reissued,new text end or reinsured, the policies or contracts of the insolvent insurer;

(2) assure payment of the contractual obligations of the insolvent insurer which are due and owing;

(3) provide money, pledges, guarantees, or other means as are reasonably necessary to discharge its duties; or

(4) provide benefits and coverages in accordance with subdivision 4.

Sec. 13.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Payments; alternative policies.

When proceeding under subdivision 2, paragraph (a), clause (2), or subdivision 3, clause (4), the association shall, with respect to deleted text begin life and health insurancedeleted text end policies and deleted text begin annuitiesdeleted text end new text begin contractsnew text end :

(a) Assure payment of benefits deleted text begin for premiums identical to the premiums and benefits, except for terms of conversion and renewability,deleted text end that would have been payable under the policies of the impaired or insolvent insurer, for claims incurred:

(1) with respect to group policies, not later than the earlier of the next renewal date under those policies or contracts or 45 days, but in no event less than 30 days, after the date on which the association becomes obligated with respect to those policies; or

(2) with respect to individual policies,new text begin contracts, and annuitiesnew text end not later than the earlier of the next renewal date, if any, under those policies or one year, but in no event less than 30 days, from the date on which the association becomes obligated with respect to those policies.

(b) Make diligent efforts to provide all known insuredsnew text begin , enrollees,new text end or annuitants for individual policies or group policynew text begin or contractnew text end owners with respect to group policies 30 days' notice of the termination pursuant to paragraph (a) of the benefits provided.

(c) With respect to individual policiesnew text begin and contractsnew text end , make available to each known insurednew text begin , enrollee,new text end or annuitant, or owner if other than the insured or annuitant, and with respect to an individual formerlynew text begin annew text end insured deleted text begin or formerly andeleted text end new text begin , enrollee, ornew text end annuitant under a group policy new text begin or contract new text end who is not eligible for replacement group coverage, make available substitute coverage on an individual basis in accordance with paragraph (d), if the insuredsnew text begin , enrollees,new text end or annuitants had a right under law or the terminated policynew text begin , contract,new text end or annuity to convert coverage to individual coverage or to continue an individual policynew text begin , contract,new text end or annuity in force until a specified age or for a specified time, during which the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end had no right unilaterally to make changes in any provision of the policynew text begin , contract,new text end or annuity or had a right only to make changes in premium by class.

(d)(1) In providing the substitute coverage required under paragraph (c), the association may offer either to reissue the terminated coverage or to issue an alternative policynew text begin or contract at actuarially justified rates subject to prior approval of the commissionernew text end .

(2) Alternative or reissued policies new text begin or contracts new text end must be offered without requiring evidence of insurability, and must not provide for any waiting period or exclusion that would not have applied under the terminated policynew text begin or contractnew text end .

(3) The association may reinsure any alternative or reissued policynew text begin or contractnew text end .

(e)(1) Alternative policies new text begin or contracts new text end adopted by the association are subject to the approval of the commissioner. The association may adopt alternative policies new text begin or contracts new text end of various types for future issuance without regard to any particular impairment or insolvency.

(2) Alternative policies new text begin or contracts new text end must contain at least the minimum statutory provisions required in this state and provide benefits that are not unreasonable in relation to the premium charged. The association shall set the premium in accordance with a table of rates which it shall adopt. The premium must reflect the amount of insurance to be provided and the age and class of risk of each insured, but must not reflect any changes in the health of the insured after the original policy new text begin or contract new text end was last underwritten.

(3) Any alternative policy new text begin or contract new text end issued by the association must provide coverage of a type similar to that of the policynew text begin or contractnew text end issued by the impaired or insolvent insurer, as determined by the association.

(f) If the association elects to reissue terminated coverage at a premium rate different from that charged under the terminated policynew text begin or contractnew text end , the premium must benew text begin actuarially justified andnew text end set by the association in accordance with the amount of insurance new text begin or coverage new text end provided and the age and class of risk, subject to new text begin prior new text end approval of the commissioner deleted text begin or by a court of competent jurisdictiondeleted text end .

(g) The association's obligations with respect to coverage under any policynew text begin or contractnew text end of the impaired or insolvent insurer or under any reissued or alternative policynew text begin or contractnew text end ceases on the date the coveragenew text begin ,new text end or new text begin on the date the new text end policynew text begin or contractnew text end is replaced by another similar policynew text begin or contractnew text end by the deleted text begin policyholderdeleted text end new text begin policy or contract holdernew text end , the deleted text begin insurerdeleted text end new text begin insured, the enrolleenew text end , or the association and the preexisting condition limitations have been satisfied.

(h) When proceeding under this subdivision with respect to any policy carrying guaranteed minimum interest rates, the association shall assure the payment or crediting of a rate of interest consistent with section 61B.19, subdivision 3, clause (12).

Sec. 14.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 8a, is amended to read:

Subd. 8a.

Deposits in this state for insolvent or impaired insurer.

A deposit in this state, held pursuant to law or required by the commissioner for the benefit of creditors, including policynew text begin or contractnew text end owners, not turned over to the domiciliary liquidator upon the entry of a final order of liquidation or order approving a rehabilitation plan of deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a membernew text end insurer domiciled in this state or in a reciprocal state, pursuant to section 60B.54, shall be promptly paid to the association. The association is entitled to retain a portion of any amount so paid to it equal to the percentage determined by dividing the aggregate amount of policy deleted text begin ownersdeleted text end new text begin or contract owners'new text end claims related to that insolvency for which the association has provided statutory benefits by the aggregate amount of all policynew text begin or contractnew text end owners' claims in this state related to that insolvency. The association shall remit to the domiciliary receiver the amount so paid to the association and not retained pursuant to this subdivision. Any amount retained by the association shall be treated as a distribution of estate assets pursuant to section 60B.46 or similar provision of the state of domicile of the impaired or insolvent insurer.

Sec. 15.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 12, is amended to read:

Subd. 12.

Assignments; subrogation rights.

(a) A person receiving benefits under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 shall be considered to have assigned the rights under, and any causes of action against any person for losses arising under, resulting from or otherwise relating to, the covered policy or contract to the association to the extent of the benefits received because of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, whether the benefits are payments of or on account of contractual obligations, continuation of coverage, or provision of substitute or alternative new text begin policies, contracts, or new text end coverages. The association may require an assignment to it of those rights and causes of action by deleted text begin adeleted text end new text begin an enrollee,new text end payee, policy or contract owner, beneficiary, insured, or annuitant as a condition precedent to the receipt of rights or benefits conferred by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 upon that person. The assignment and subrogation rights of the association include any rights that a person may have as a beneficiary of a plan covered under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, United States Code, title 29, section 1003, as amended.

(b) The subrogation rights of the association under this subdivision against the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer have the same priority as those of a person entitled to receive benefits under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

(c) In addition to paragraphs (a) and (b), the association has all common law rights of subrogation and other equitable or legal remedies that would have been available to the impaired or insolvent insurer or person receiving benefits under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 including without limitation, in the case of a structured settlement annuity, any rights of the owner,new text begin enrollee,new text end beneficiarynew text begin ,new text end or payee of the annuity, to the extent of benefits received pursuant to sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, against a person originally or by succession responsible for the losses arising from the personal injury relating to the annuity or payment thereof, excepting any such person responsible solely by reason of serving as an assignee in respect of a qualified assignment under section 130 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(d) If the preceding provisions of this subdivision are invalid or ineffective with respect to any person or claim for any reason, the amount payable by the association with respect to the related covered obligations shall be reduced by the amount realized by any other person with respect to the person or claim that is attributable to the policies new text begin or contracts new text end or portion thereof covered by the association.

(e) If the association has provided benefits with respect to a covered obligation and a person recovers amounts as to which the association has rights as described in the preceding paragraphs of this subdivision, the person shall pay to the association the portion of the recovery attributable to the policies new text begin or contracts new text end or portion thereof covered by the association.

Sec. 16.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 13, is amended to read:

Subd. 13.

Permissive powers.

The association may:

(1) enter into contracts as are necessary or proper to carry out the provisions and purposes of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32;

(2) sue or be sued, including taking any legal actions necessary or proper to recover any unpaid assessments under section 61B.26 to settle claims or potential claims against it;

(3) borrow money to effect the purposes of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 and any notes or other evidence of indebtedness of the association not in default are legal investments for domestic new text begin member new text end insurers and may be carried as admitted assets;

(4) employ or retain persons as are necessary or appropriate to handle the financial transactions of the association, and to perform other functions as the association considers necessary or proper under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32;

(5) enter into arbitration or take legal action as may be necessary or appropriate to avoid or recover payment of improper claims;

(6) exercise, for the purposes of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 and to the extent approved by the commissioner, the powers of a domestic life deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin insurer,new text end health insurer,new text begin or health maintenance organization,new text end but in no case may the association issue deleted text begin insurancedeleted text end policies or deleted text begin annuitydeleted text end contracts other than those issued to perform its obligations under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32;

(7) join an organization of one or more other state associations of similar purposes, to further the purposes and administer the powers and duties of the association;

(8) negotiate and contract with any liquidator, rehabilitator, conservator, or ancillary receiver to carry out the powers and duties of the association;

(9) participate in the organization of and/or own stock in an entity which exists or was formed for the purpose of assuming liability for contracts or policies issued by impaired or insolvent insurers; deleted text begin anddeleted text end

(10) request information from a person seeking coverage from the association in order to aid the association in determining its obligations under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 with respect to the person, and the person shall promptly comply with the requestdeleted text begin .deleted text end new text begin ;new text end

new text begin (11) in accordance with the terms and conditions of the policy or contract, file for actuarially justified rate or premium increases for any policy or contract for which it provides coverage under this act; and new text end

new text begin (12) take other necessary or appropriate action to discharge its duties and obligations under this act or to exercise its powers under this act. new text end

Sec. 17.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.23, subdivision 14, is amended to read:

Subd. 14.

Association election to succeed to rights of insolvent or impaired insurer under indemnity reinsurance contracts.

(a) At any time within one year after the date on which the association becomes responsible for the obligations of a member insurer the coverage date, the association may elect to succeed to the rights and obligations of the member insurer, that accrue on or after the coverage date and that relate to new text begin policies, new text end contractsnew text begin , or annuitiesnew text end covered in whole or in part by the association, under any one or more indemnity reinsurance agreements entered into by the member insurer as a ceding insurer and selected by the association. However, the association may not exercise an election with respect to a reinsurance agreement if the receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator of the member insurer has previously and expressly disaffirmed the reinsurance agreement. The election shall be effected by a notice to the receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator, and to the affected reinsurers. If the association makes an election, clauses (1) through (4) apply with respect to the agreements selected by the association:

(1) the association is responsible for all unpaid premiums due under the agreements for periods both before and after the coverage date, and is responsible for the performance of all other obligations to be performed after the coverage date, in each case that relates to contracts covered in whole or in part by the association and the association may charge new text begin policies, new text end contractsnew text begin , or annuitiesnew text end covered in part by the association, through reasonable allocation methods, the costs for reinsurance in excess of the obligations of the association;

(2) the association is entitled to any amounts payable by the reinsurer under the agreements with respect to losses or events that occur in periods after the coverage date and that relate to new text begin policies, new text end contractsnew text begin , or annuitiesnew text end covered by the association in whole or in part, provided that, upon receipt of any such amounts, the association is obliged to pay to the beneficiary under the policy deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin ,new text end contractnew text begin , or annuitynew text end on account of which the amounts were paid a portion of the amount equal to the excess of:

(i) the amount received by the association, over

(ii) the benefits paid by the association on account of the policy or contract less the retention of the impaired or insolvent member insurer applicable to the loss or event;

(3) within 30 days following the association's election, the association and each indemnity reinsurer shall calculate the net balance due to or from the association under each reinsurance agreement as of the date of the association's election, giving full credit to all items paid by either the member insurer or its receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator or the indemnity reinsurer during the period between the coverage date and the date of the association's election and (i) either the association or indemnity reinsurer shall pay the net balance due the other within five days of the completion of the aforementioned calculation and (ii) if the receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator has received any amounts due the association pursuant to paragraph (a), the receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator shall remit the same to the association as promptly as practicable; and

(4) if the association, within 60 days of the election, pays the premiums due for periods both before and after the coverage date that relate to contracts covered by the association in whole or in part, the reinsurer shall not be entitled to terminate the reinsurance agreements insofar as the agreements relate to contracts covered by the association in whole or in part and shall not be entitled to set off any unpaid premium due for periods prior to the coverage date against amounts due the association.

(b) In the event the association transfers its obligations to another insurer, and if the association and the other insurer agree, the other insurer shall succeed to the rights and obligations of the association under paragraph (a) effective as of the date agreed upon by the association and the other insurer and regardless of whether the association has made the election referred to in paragraph (a) provided that:

(1) the indemnity reinsurance agreements shall automatically terminate for new reinsurance unless the indemnity reinsurer and the other insurer agree to the contrary;

(2) the obligations described in the proviso to paragraph (a), clause (2), shall no longer apply on and after the date the indemnity reinsurance agreement is transferred to the third-party insurer; and

(3) paragraph (b) does not apply if the association has previously expressly determined in writing that it will not exercise the election referred to in paragraph (a).

(c) The provisions of this subdivision shall supersede the provisions of any law of this state or of any affected reinsurance agreement that provides for or requires any payment of reinsurance proceeds, on account of losses or events that occur in periods after the coverage date, to the receiver, liquidator, or rehabilitator of the insolvent member insurer. The receiver, rehabilitator, or liquidator shall remain entitled to any amounts payable by the reinsurer under the reinsurance agreement with respect to losses or events that occur in periods prior to the coverage date subject to applicable setoff provisions.

(d) Except as otherwise expressly provided in this subdivision, nothing in this subdivision alters or modifies the terms and conditions of the indemnity reinsurance agreements of the insolvent member insurer. Nothing in this subdivision abrogates or limits any rights of any reinsurer to claim that it is entitled to rescind a reinsurance agreement. Nothing in this subdivision gives a policy ownernew text begin , contract owner, enrollee, certificate holder,new text end or beneficiary an independent cause of action against an indemnity reinsurer that is not otherwise set forth in the indemnity reinsurance agreement.

Sec. 18.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Formula for determination.

(a) The amount of a class A assessment shall be determined by the board and may be made on a pro rata or nonpro rata basis. If pro rata, the board may provide that it be credited against future class B assessments. deleted text begin A nonpro rata assessment shall not exceed $500 per member insurer in any one calendar year.deleted text end

(b) The amount of any class B assessmentnew text begin , except for assessments related to long-term care insurance,new text end must be allocated for assessment purposes new text begin between the accounts and new text end among the deleted text begin accounts ordeleted text end subaccounts new text begin of the life insurance and annuity account new text end pursuant to an allocation formula which may be based on the premiums or reserves of the impaired or insolvent insurer or any other standard considered by the board in its sole discretion as being fair and reasonable under the circumstances.

new text begin (c) The amount of the Class B assessment for long-term care insurance written by the impaired or insolvent insurer shall be allocated according to a methodology included in the plan of operation and approved by the commissioner. The methodology shall provide for 50 percent of the assessment to be allocated to health insurance member insurers and 50 percent to be allocated to life and annuity member insurers. new text end

deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end Class B assessments against member insurers for each subaccount or account must be in the proportion that the average annual premiums received on business in this state by each assessed member insurer on policies or contracts covered by each subaccount or account for the three most recent calendar years for which information is available preceding the calendar year in which thenew text begin membernew text end insurer became impaired or insolvent, as the case may be, bears to the average annual premiums received on business in this state by all assessed member insurers on policies or contracts covered by that subaccount or account for those same calendar years. If the impaired insurer becomes insolvent, the date of deleted text begin impairmentdeleted text end new text begin insolvency new text end must be used to determine the assessment. Premiums for purposes of calculating average annual premium for calendar years prior to 1993 shall be determined in accordance with Minnesota Statutes 1992, sections 61B.01 to 61B.16.

deleted text begin (d)deleted text end new text begin (e)new text end Assessments for funds to meet the requirements of the association with respect to an impaired or insolvent insurer must not be made until necessary to implement the purposes of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. Classification of assessments under subdivision 2 and computation of assessments under this subdivision must be made with a reasonable degree of accuracy, recognizing that exact determinations may not always be possible.

Sec. 19.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 5, is amended to read:

Subd. 5.

Maximum assessment.

(a) The total of all assessments upon a member insurer for each subaccount of the life and annuity account and for the health account shall not in any one calendar year exceed two percent of that member insurer's average annual premiums as calculated in subdivision 3, paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end , on policies or contracts covered by that account or subaccount. If two or more assessments are made with respect to new text begin member new text end insurers that become impaired or insolvent in different calendar years, average annual premiums for purposes of the assessment percentage limitation are based upon the higher of the three-year averages calculated under subdivision 3, paragraph deleted text begin (c)deleted text end new text begin (d)new text end . If an impaired insurer becomes insolvent, the date of impairment must be used to determine the assessment. If the maximum assessment for any subaccount of the life and annuity account in any one calendar year will not provide an amount sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of the association, then pursuant to subdivision 3, the board of directors shall assess based on the other subaccounts of the life and annuity account for the necessary additional amount, subject to the maximum of two percent stated above for each subaccount.

(b) If the maximum assessment for an account, together with the other assets of the association in that account, does not provide in any one calendar year in that account an amount sufficient to carry out the responsibilities of the association, the necessary additional funds must be assessed as soon as permitted by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

(c) The board may adopt general principles in the plan of operation for allocating funds among claims, whether relating to one or more impaired or insolvent insurers, when the maximum assessment will be insufficient to cover anticipated claims.

(d) If assessments under this section are inadequate to pay all obligations of the impaired insurer that are or become due and owing, then the association shall prepare a plan approved by the commissioner for prioritization of payments. If the association adopts general principles in the plan of operations, the association shall use the general principles in preparing the plan required under this paragraph. No formerly impaired or insolvent insurer may be reinstated until all payments of or on account of the insurer'snew text begin or health maintenance organization'snew text end contractual obligations by the guaranty association, along with all expenses thereof and interest on all such payments and expenses, shall have been repaid to the guaranty association or a plan of repayment by the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end shall have been approved by the commissioner.

Sec. 20.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Refund.

The board may, by an equitable method as established in the plan of operation, refund to member insurers, in proportion to the contribution of eachnew text begin membernew text end insurer to that account or subaccount, the amount by which the assets of the account or subaccount exceed the amount the board finds is necessary to carry out during the coming year the obligations of the association with regard to that account or subaccount, including assets accruing from assignment, subrogation, net realized gains, and income from investments. A reasonable amount may be retained in any account or subaccount to provide funds for the continuing expenses of the association and for future losses.

Sec. 21.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Premium rates and dividends.

A member insurer may, in determining its premium rates and policy owner dividends as to any kind of insurance new text begin or health maintenance organization business new text end within the scope of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, consider the amount reasonably necessary to meet its assessment obligations under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

Sec. 22.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Certificate of contribution.

The association shall issue to each new text begin member new text end insurer paying an assessment under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, other than a class A assessment, a certificate of contribution, in a form prescribed by the commissioner, for the amount of the assessment so paid. All outstanding certificates must be of equal dignity and priority without reference to amounts or dates of issue. A certificate of contribution may be shown by the new text begin member new text end insurer in its financial statement as an asset in the form and for the amount, if any, and period of time as the commissioner may approve.

Sec. 23.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.24, subdivision 10, is amended to read:

Subd. 10.

Procedure for protests regarding assessments.

(a) A member insurer that wishes to protest all or part of an assessment shall pay when due the full amount of the assessment as set forth in the notice provided by the association. The payment is available to meet association obligations during the pendency of the protest or any subsequent appeal. Payment must be accompanied by a statement in writing that the payment is made under protest and setting forth a brief statement of the grounds for the protest.

(b) Within 60 days following the payment of an assessment under protest by a member insurer, the association shall notify the member insurer in writing of its determination with respect to the protest unless the association notifies the member insurer that additional time is required to resolve the issues raised by the protest.

(c) Within 30 days after a final decision has been made, the association shall notify the protesting member insurer in writing of that final decision. Within 60 days of receipt of notice of the final decision, the protesting member insurer may appeal that final action to the commissioner.

(d) In the alternative to rendering a final decision with respect to a protest based on a question regarding the assessment base, the association may refer the protest to the commissioner for a final decision, with or without a recommendation from the association.

(e) If the protest or appeal on the assessment is upheld, the amount paid in error or excess shall be returned to the member deleted text begin companydeleted text end new text begin insurernew text end . Interest on a refund due a protesting member new text begin insurer new text end shall be paid at the rate actually earned by the association.

Sec. 24.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.26, is amended to read:

61B.26 DUTIES AND POWERS OF COMMISSIONER.

(a) In addition to other duties and powers in sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, the commissioner shall:

(1) notify the board of directors of the existence of an impaired or insolvent insurer within three days after a determination of impairment or insolvency is made or the commissioner receives notice of impairment or insolvency;

(2) upon request of the board of directors, provide the association with a statement of the premiums in this and any other appropriate states for each member insurer;

(3) when an impairment is declared and the amount of the impairment is determined, serve a demand upon the impaired insurer to make good the impairment within a reasonable time; notice to the impaired insurer shall constitute notice to its shareholders, if any; the failure of the new text begin impaired new text end insurer to promptly comply with the commissioner's demand shall not excuse the association from the performance of its powers and duties under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32; and

(4) in a liquidation, conservation, or rehabilitation proceeding involving a domestic insurer, be appointed as the liquidator, conservator, or rehabilitator.

(b) The commissioner may suspend or revoke, after notice and hearing, the certificate of authority to transact deleted text begin insurancedeleted text end new text begin businessnew text end in this state of any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due or fails to comply with the plan of operation. As an alternative, the commissioner may levy a forfeiture on any member insurer which fails to pay an assessment when due. A forfeiture shall not exceed five percent of the unpaid assessment per month, but no forfeiture shall be less than $100 per month.

(c) A final action of the board of directors or the association may be appealed to the commissioner if the appeal is taken within 60 days of the aggrieved party's receipt of notice of the final action being appealed. Any final action or order of the commissioner is subject to judicial review in a court of competent jurisdiction, in the manner provided by chapter 14. A determination or decision by the commissioner under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 is not subject to the contested case or rulemaking provisions of chapter 14.

(d) The liquidator, rehabilitator, or conservator of an impaired insurer may notify all interested persons of the effect of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32.

(e) For the purposes of sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, the commissioner may delegate any of the powers conferred by law.

(f) Nonperformance of any of the acts specified in this section or failure to meet the specific time limits does not affect the association, its members, or any other person as to the person's duties and obligations.

Sec. 25.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.27, is amended to read:

61B.27 PREVENTION OF INSOLVENCIES.

(a) To aid in the detection and prevention ofnew text begin membernew text end insurer insolvencies or impairments the commissioner shall notify the commissioners of insurance of all the other states, territories of the United States, and the District of Columbia when the commissioner takes one of the following actions against a member insurer:

(i) revocation of license; or

(ii) suspension of license.

The notice must be mailed to all commissioners within 30 days following the action.

(b) If the commissioner deems it appropriate, the commissioner may:

(1) Report to the board of directors when the commissioner has taken any of the actions specified in paragraph (a) or has received a report from another commissioner indicating that an action specified in paragraph (a) has been taken in another state. The report to the board of directors must contain all significant details of the action taken or the report received from another commissioner.

(2) Report to the board of directors when the commissioner has reasonable cause to believe from an examination, whether completed or in process, of a member company that the company may be an impaired or insolvent insurer.

(3) Furnish to the board of directors the National Association of Insurance Commissioners insurance regulatory information system ratios and listings of companies not included in the ratios developed by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, and the board may use the information in carrying out its duties and responsibilities under this section. The report and the information contained in it must be kept confidential by the board of directors until it has been made public by the commissioner or other lawful authority. Nothing in this provision supersedes other requirements of law.

(4) Notify the board if the commissioner makes a formal order requiring the deleted text begin companydeleted text end new text begin member insurernew text end to restrict its premium writing, obtain additional contributions to surplus, withdraw from this state, reinsure all or any part of its business, or increase capital, surplus, or any other account for the security of policyholdersnew text begin , contract holders, certificate holders,new text end or creditors.

(c) The commissioner may seek the advice and recommendations of the board of directors concerning any matter affecting the commissioner's duties and responsibilities regarding the financial condition of member insurers and of deleted text begin companiesdeleted text end new text begin insurers or health maintenance organizationsnew text end seeking admission to transact deleted text begin insurancedeleted text end business in this state.

(d) The board of directors may, upon majority vote, make reports and recommendations to the commissioner upon matters germane to the solvency, liquidation, rehabilitation, or conservation of any member insurer or germane to the solvency of deleted text begin a companydeleted text end new text begin an insurer or health maintenance organization new text end seeking to do deleted text begin an insurancedeleted text end business in this state. Those reports and recommendations shall not be considered public documents.

(e) The board of directors, upon majority vote, may notify the commissioner of information indicating that a member insurer may be an impaired or insolvent insurer.

(f) The board of directors may, upon majority vote, make recommendations to the commissioner for the detection and prevention of new text begin member new text end insurer insolvencies.

(g) The board of directors may, at the conclusion of an insurer insolvency in which the association was obligated to pay covered claims, prepare a report to the commissioner containing the information it may have in its possession bearing on the history and causes of the insolvency. The board shall cooperate with the boards of directors of guaranty associations in other states in preparing a report on the history and causes of insolvency of a particular insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end , and may adopt by reference any report prepared by those other associations.

(h) Nonperformance by the commissioner of any of the acts specified in this section or failure to meet the specified time limits does not affect the association, its members, or any other person as to the person's duties and obligations.

Nothing in this section supersedes other requirements of law.

Sec. 26.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 3, is amended to read:

Subd. 3.

Association as creditor.

For the purpose of carrying out its obligations under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32, the association is considered to be a creditor of the impaired or insolvent insurer to the extent of assets attributable to covered policies, reduced by amounts which the association recovers from the assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer as subrogee under section 61B.23, subdivision 12. Recoveries by the association as subrogee under section 61B.23, subdivision 12, from assets other than from assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer shall not reduce or act as an offset to the association's claim as creditor of the impaired or insolvent insurer. Assets of the impaired or insolvent insurer attributable to covered policies new text begin or contracts new text end must be used to continue all covered policiesnew text begin or contractsnew text end and pay all contractual obligations of the impaired or insolvent insurer as required by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. Assets attributable to covered policiesnew text begin or contractsnew text end , as used in this subdivision, are that proportion of the assets which the reserves that should have been established for those policies bear to the reserves that should have been established for all policies of insurance written by the impaired or insolvent insurer.

Sec. 27.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 3a, is amended to read:

Subd. 3a.

Association access to insolvent insurer's assets.

As a creditor of the impaired or insolvent insurer as established in subdivision 3 of this section and consistent with section 60B.46, the association and other similar associations is entitled to receive a disbursement of assets out of the marshalled assets, from time to time as the assets become available to reimburse it, as a credit against contractual obligations under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. If the liquidator has not, within 120 days of a final determination of insolvency of deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a membernew text end insurer by the receivership court, made an application to the court for the approval of a proposal to disburse assets out of marshalled assets to guaranty associations having obligations because of the insolvency, then the association shall be entitled to make application to the receivership court for approval of its own proposal to disburse these assets.

Sec. 28.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 4, is amended to read:

Subd. 4.

Prohibited sales practice.

No person, including deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a membernew text end insurer, agent, or affiliate of deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a member new text end insurer, shall make, publish, disseminate, circulate, or place before the public, or cause directly or indirectly, to be made, published, disseminated, circulated, or placed before the public, in any newspaper, magazine, or other publication, or in the form of a notice, circular, pamphlet, letter, or poster, or over any radio station or television station, or in any other way, an advertisement, announcement, or statement, written or oral, which uses the existence of the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association for the purpose of sales, solicitation, or inducement to purchase any form of insurance new text begin or other coverage new text end covered by sections 61B.18 to 61B.32. The notice required by subdivision 8 is not a violation of this subdivision nor is it a violation of this subdivision to explain verbally to an applicant or potential applicant the coverage provided by the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association at any time during the application process or thereafter. This subdivision does not apply to the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association or an entity that does not sell or solicit insurancenew text begin or coverage by a health maintenance organizationnew text end .

Sec. 29.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 6, is amended to read:

Subd. 6.

Reinstatement.

Nonew text begin membernew text end insurer may be reinstated to do business in this state until all payments of or on account of the impaired insurer's contractual obligations by the guaranty association, along with all expenses thereof and interest on all such payments and expenses, shall have been repaid to the guaranty association or a plan of repayment by the impaired insurer shall have been approved by the association.

Sec. 30.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 7, is amended to read:

Subd. 7.

Notice concerning limitations and exclusions.

(a) No person, including deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a membernew text end insurer, agent, or affiliate of deleted text begin andeleted text end new text begin a member new text end insurer or agent, shall offer for sale in this state a covered life insurance, annuity, or health insurance policy or contract without delivering, either at the time of application for that policy or contract or at the time of delivery of the policy or contract, a notice in the form specified in subdivision 8, or in a form approved by the commissioner under paragraph (b), relating to coverage provided by the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association. The notice may be part of the application. A copy of the notice must be given to the applicant or the deleted text begin policyholderdeleted text end new text begin policy owner, contract owner, certificate holder, or enrolleenew text end . The person offering the policy or contract shall document the fact that the notice was given at the time of application or the fact that the notice was delivered at the time the policy or contract was delivered. This does not require that the receipt of the notice be acknowledged by the applicant.

(b) The association may prepare, and file with the commissioner for approval, a form of notice as an alternative to the form of notice specified in subdivision 8 describing the general purposes and limitations of this chapter. The form of notice shall:

(1) state the name, address, and telephone number of the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association;

(2) prominently warn the policy deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin owner,new text end contract new text begin owner, certificate new text end holdernew text begin , or enrolleenew text end that the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association may not cover the policy or, if coverage is available, it will be subject to substantial limitations and exclusions and conditioned on continued residence in the state;

(3) state that the new text begin member new text end insurer and its agents are prohibited by law from using the existence of the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association for the purpose of sales, solicitation, or inducement to purchase any form of insurancenew text begin or health maintenance organization coveragenew text end ;

(4) emphasize that the policy deleted text begin ordeleted text end new text begin owner,new text end contractnew text begin , owner, certificatenew text end holdernew text begin , or enrolleenew text end should not rely on coverage under the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association when selecting an insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end ;

(5) provide other information as directed by the commissioner. The commissioner may approve any form of notice proposed by the association and, as to the approved form of notice, the association may notify all member insurers by mailnew text begin or other electronic meansnew text end that the form of notice is available as an alternative to the notice specified in subdivision 8.

(c) A policy or contract not covered by the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association or the Minnesota Insurance Guaranty Association must contain the following notice in ten-point type, stamped in red ink or contrasting type on the policy or contract and the application:

"THIS POLICY OR CONTRACT IS NOT PROTECTED BY THE MINNESOTA LIFE AND HEALTH INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION OR THE MINNESOTA INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION. IN THE CASE OF INSOLVENCY, PAYMENT OF CLAIMS IS NOT GUARANTEED. ONLY THE ASSETS OF THIS INSURER new text begin OR HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATION new text end WILL BE AVAILABLE TO PAY YOUR CLAIM."

This section does not apply to fraternal benefit societies regulated under chapter 64B.

Sec. 31.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 61B.28, subdivision 8, is amended to read:

Subd. 8.

Form.

The form of notice referred to in subdivision 7, paragraph (a), is as follows:

"........................................

.........................................

.........................................

(insert name, current address, and

telephone number ofnew text begin membernew text end insurer)

NOTICE CONCERNING POLICYHOLDER RIGHTS IN AN

INSOLVENCY UNDER THE MINNESOTA LIFE AND HEALTH

INSURANCE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION LAW

If the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end that issued your life, annuity, or health insurance policy becomes impaired or insolvent, you are entitled to compensation for your policynew text begin or contractnew text end from the assets of that insurer. The amount you recover will depend on the financial condition of the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end .

In addition, residents of Minnesota who purchase life insurance, annuities, deleted text begin ordeleted text end health insurancenew text begin , or health maintenance organization coveragenew text end from insurance companies authorized to do business in Minnesota are protected, SUBJECT TO LIMITS AND EXCLUSIONS, in the event the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end becomes financially impaired or insolvent. This protection is provided by the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association.

new text begin For purposes of this notice, the terms "insurance company" and "insurer" include health maintenance organizations. new text end

Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association

(insert current

address and telephone number)

The maximum amount the guaranty association will pay for all policiesnew text begin or contractsnew text end issued on one life by the same insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end is limited to $500,000. Subject to this $500,000 limit, the guaranty association will pay up to $500,000 in life insurance death benefits, $130,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values for life insurance, $500,000 in health insurancenew text begin , health maintenance organization, and long-term carenew text end benefits, including any net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values,new text begin $500,000 in disability income insurance,new text end $250,000 in annuity net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values, $410,000 in present value of annuity benefits for annuities which are part of a structured settlement or for annuities in regard to which periodic annuity benefits, for a period of not less than the annuitant's lifetime or for a period certain of not less than ten years, have begun to be paid on or before the date of impairment or insolvency, or if no coverage limit has been specified for a covered policy or benefit, the coverage limit shall be $500,000 in present value. Unallocated annuity contracts issued to retirement plans, other than defined benefit plans, established under section 401, 403(b), or 457 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended through December 31, 1992, are covered up to $250,000 in net cash surrender and net cash withdrawal values, for Minnesota residents covered by the plan provided, however, that the association shall not be responsible for more than $10,000,000 in claims from all Minnesota residents covered by the plan. If total claims exceed $10,000,000, the $10,000,000 shall be prorated among all claimants. These are the maximum claim amounts. Coverage by the guaranty association is also subject to other substantial limitations and exclusions and requires continued residency in Minnesota. If your claim exceeds the guaranty association's limits, you may still recover a part or all of that amount from the proceeds of the liquidation of the insolvent insurer, if any exist. Funds to pay claims may not be immediately available. The guaranty association assesses insurersnew text begin and health maintenance organizationsnew text end licensed to sell life and health insurance in Minnesota after the insolvency occurs. Claims are paid from this assessment.

new text begin Benefits provided by a long-term care rider to a life insurance policy or annuity contract shall be considered the same type of benefits as the base life insurance policy or annuity contract to which it relates. new text end

THE COVERAGE PROVIDED BY THE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION IS NOT A SUBSTITUTE FOR USING CARE IN SELECTING INSURANCE COMPANIES THAT ARE WELL MANAGED AND FINANCIALLY STABLE. IN SELECTING AN INSURANCE COMPANYnew text begin , CONTRACT,new text end OR POLICY, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON COVERAGE BY THE GUARANTY ASSOCIATION.

THIS NOTICE IS REQUIRED BY MINNESOTA STATE LAW TO ADVISE POLICYHOLDERS OF LIFE, ANNUITY, deleted text begin ORdeleted text end HEALTH INSURANCEnew text begin , OR HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONnew text end POLICIESnew text begin AND CONTRACTSnew text end OF THEIR RIGHTS IN THE EVENT THEIR INSURANCE CARRIER BECOMES FINANCIALLYnew text begin IMPAIRED ORnew text end INSOLVENT. THIS NOTICE IN NO WAY IMPLIES THAT THE COMPANY CURRENTLY HAS ANY TYPE OF FINANCIAL PROBLEMS. ALL LIFE, ANNUITY, deleted text begin ANDdeleted text end HEALTH INSURANCEnew text begin , AND HEALTH MAINTENANCE ORGANIZATIONnew text end POLICIESnew text begin AND CONTRACTSnew text end ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE THIS NOTICE."

Additional language may be added to the notice if approved by the commissioner prior to its use in the form. This section does not apply to fraternal benefit societies regulated under chapter 64B.

Sec. 32.

new text begin [61B.33] RIGHTS AND OBLIGATIONS OF ASSOCIATION. new text end

new text begin Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the provisions of the Minnesota Life and Health Insurance Guaranty Association Act in effect on the date the association first becomes obligated for the policies or contracts of an insolvent or impaired member insurer govern the association's rights or obligations to the policy owners, contract owners, or enrollees of the insolvent or impaired member insurer. new text end

Sec. 33.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 62D.18, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Commissioner of health; order.

The commissioner of health may apply by verified petition to the district court of Ramsey County or the county in which the principal office of the health maintenance organization is located for an order directing the commissioner of health to rehabilitate or liquidate a health maintenance organization. The rehabilitation or liquidation of a health maintenance organization shall be conducted under the supervision of the commissioner of health under the procedures, and with the powers granted to a rehabilitator or liquidator, in chapter 60B, except to the extent that the nature of health maintenance organizations renders the procedures or powers clearly inappropriate and as provided in this subdivision or in chapter 60B. A health maintenance organization shall be considered an insurance company for the purposes of rehabilitation or liquidation as provided in subdivisions 4, 6, and 7.new text begin For health maintenance organizations that will be liquidated on or after August 1, 2020, chapters 60B and 61B apply.new text end

Sec. 34.

Minnesota Statutes 2018, section 297I.20, subdivision 1, is amended to read:

Subdivision 1.

Guaranty association assessment offsets.

(a) An insurance company new text begin or health maintenance organization new text end may offset against its premium tax liability to this state any amount paid for assessments made for insolvencies deleted text begin which occur after July 31, 1994,deleted text end under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22; and any amount paid for assessments deleted text begin made after July 31, 1994,deleted text end under Minnesota Statutes 1992, sections 61B.01 to 61B.16, or under sections 61B.18 to 61B.32 as follows:

(1) Each such assessment shall give rise to an amount of offset equal to 20 percent of the amount of the assessment for each of the five calendar years following the year in which the assessment was paid.

(2) The amount of offset initially determined for each taxable year is the sum of the amounts determined under clause (1) for that taxable year.

(b)(1) Each year the commissioner shall compare total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five calendar years to the sum of all premium tax and corporate franchise tax revenues collected from insurance companiesnew text begin and health maintenance organizationsnew text end , without reduction for any guaranty association assessment offset in the preceding calendar year, referred to in this subdivision as "preceding year insurance tax revenues."

(2) If total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five years exceed the preceding year insurance tax revenues, insurance companiesnew text begin and health maintenance organizationsnew text end must be allowed only a proportionate part of the premium tax offset calculated under paragraph (a) for the current calendar year.

(3) The proportionate part of the premium tax offset allowed in the current calendar year is determined by multiplying the amount calculated under paragraph (a) by a fraction. The numerator of the fraction equals the preceding year insurance tax revenues, and its denominator equals total guaranty association assessments levied over the preceding five-year period.

(4) The proportionate part of the premium tax offset that is not allowed must be carried forward to subsequent tax years and added to the amount of premium tax offset calculated under paragraph (a) prior to application of the limitation imposed by this paragraph.

(5) Any amount carried forward from prior years must be allowed before allowance of the offset for the current year calculated under paragraph (a).

(6) The premium tax offset limitation must be calculated separately for (i) insurance companies subject to assessment under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22, and (ii) insurance companiesnew text begin or health maintenance organizationsnew text end subject to assessment under deleted text begin Minnesota Statutes 1992,deleted text end sections 61B.01 to 61B.16, or 61B.18 to 61B.32.

(7) When the premium tax offset is limited by this provision, the commissioner shall notify affected insurance companiesnew text begin or health maintenance organizationsnew text end on a timely basis for purposes of completing premium and corporate franchise tax returns.

(8) The guaranty associations created under sections 60C.01 to 60C.22, deleted text begin Minnesota Statutes 1992, sectionsdeleted text end 61B.01 to 61B.16, and 61B.18 to 61B.32, shall provide the commissioner with the necessary information on guaranty association assessments.

(c)(1) If the offset determined by the application of paragraphs (a) and (b) exceeds the insurance company'snew text begin or health maintenance organization'snew text end premium tax liability under this section prior to allowance of the credit for premium taxes, then the insurance companynew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end may carry forward the excess, referred to in this subdivision as the "carryforward credit" to subsequent taxable years.

(2) The carryforward credit is allowed as an offset against premium tax liability for the first succeeding year to the extent that the premium tax liability for that year exceeds the amount of the allowable offset for the year determined under paragraphs (a) and (b).

(3) The carryforward credit must be reduced, but not below zero, by the amount of the carryforward credit allowed as an offset against the premium tax under this paragraph. The remainder, if any, of the carryforward credit must be carried forward to succeeding taxable years until the entire carryforward credit has been credited against the insurance company'snew text begin or health maintenance organization'snew text end liability for premium tax under this chapter if applicable for that taxable year.

(d) When an insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end has offset against taxes its payment of an assessment of the Minnesota Life and Health Guaranty Association, and the association pays the insurernew text begin or health maintenance organizationnew text end a refund with respect to the assessment under deleted text begin Minnesota Statutes 1992,deleted text end section 61B.07, subdivision 6, or 61B.24, subdivision 6, then the refund reduces the insurer's new text begin or health maintenance organization's new text end carryforward credit under paragraph (c). If the refund exceeds the amount of the carryforward credit, the excess amount must be repaid to the state by the insurersnew text begin or health maintenance organizationsnew text end to the extent of the offset in the manner the commissioner requires.

Sec. 35.

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin Sections 1 to 34 are effective the day following final enactment. new text end

Presented to the governor May 12, 2020

Signed by the governor May 12, 2020, 7:18 p.m.

Official Publication of the State of Minnesota
Revisor of Statutes