Section 11623 Of Article 4. Assigned Risk Plans From California Insurance Code >> Division 2. >> Part 3. >> Chapter 1. >> Article 4.
11623
. (a) (1) To assist the commissioner in carrying out the
purposes of this article, an advisory committee composed of 15
members is created. The commissioner shall administer and operate the
plan as authorized by law. The commissioner shall consult with the
advisory committee on a regular basis on policy matters affecting the
operation of the plan.
(2) Eight members representing subscribing insurers shall be
elected annually by subscribing insurers. The commissioner shall
appoint the noninsurer members. Four members shall represent the
public. Two members shall represent producers. The remaining member
is the commissioner or his or her designee.
(3) Each insurer representative serving shall be either (A) a
salaried employee or officer of the named insurer or (B) a salaried
employee or officer of another insurer from a group of insurance
companies under the same management as the named insurer. A salaried
employee or officer of the holding company of the named insurer may
also be designated as the representative. At least two insurer
representatives shall be employed by insurers having their principal
headquarters located in California. At least two insurer
representatives shall represent companies who have average annual
automobile liability premiums in California below one hundred million
dollars ($100,000,000) in the prior three years. At least one
insurer representative shall represent an insurer with average annual
automobile liability premiums in California exceeding one hundred
million dollars ($100,000,000) in the prior three years. At least one
insurer representative shall represent an insurer with average
annual automobile liability premiums in California exceeding seven
hundred million dollars ($700,000,000) in the prior three years.
(4) Public members shall be paid two hundred fifty dollars ($250)
per meeting and shall be reimbursed all reasonable expenses incurred.
(5) The commissioner shall remove members for nonattendance.
Unless satisfactory excuse is made in writing to the commissioner in
a timely manner, nonattendance shall mean the failure to appear at
more than two regularly scheduled meetings in a 12-month period.
Should the member who is removed represent a company or agency,
another representative from the company or agency may not be
appointed for a period of not less than two years.
(6) The advisory committee with the approval of the commissioner
shall appoint a manager to carry out the purposes of this article,
employ sufficient personnel to provide services necessary to the
operation of the plan, and contract for the provision of statistical
and actuarial services.
(7) The cost of the plan, including any personnel and contracting
costs, shall be fairly apportioned among the subscribing insurers to
whom assignments may be made. The costs associated shall be directly
attributable to the management of the plan and directly related to
its programs. In consultation with the advisory committee, the
commissioner shall develop, issue, and adopt regulations to carry out
the purposes of this article.
(b) Notwithstanding this act, which changes the status of the
governing committee to that of an advisory committee, the committee
shall have the right to retain counsel of its choice pursuant to a
selection process adopted by the committee and the right and
necessary standing to bring and defend actions in judicial and
administrative proceedings related to the plan in the name of the
plan, with all powers attendant thereto including the right to retain
consultants, counsel, and expert witnesses of its choice.