Amended in Assembly April 13, 2015

California Legislature—2015–16 Regular Session

Assembly BillNo. 1072


Introduced by Assembly Member Daly

February 27, 2015


An act tobegin delete repeal and add Chapter 10A (commencing with Section 11400) of Part 2 of Division 2 ofend deletebegin insert add and repeal Section 11401.5 ofend insert the Insurance Code, relating to insurance.

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL’S DIGEST

AB 1072, as amended, Daly. Insurance: firefighters or police officers’ benefit and relief associations.

begin insert

Existing law generally provides for the regulation of insurers by the Department of Insurance pursuant to laws set forth in the Insurance Code. Existing law authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to make certain examinations, investigations, and prosecutions and, upon making a determination of the existence of certain conduct, conditions, or grounds, to issue orders reasonably necessary to correct, eliminate, or remedy the conduct, conditions, or grounds.

end insert
begin insert

Existing law exempts from the requirements set forth in the Insurance Code firemen’s, policemen’s, and peace officers’ benefit and relief associations that comply with specified criteria, including, among other things, a requirement that the membership consist solely of peace officers, members of police or fire departments, and emergency medical personnel employed by fire departments, as specified. Existing law prohibits an association from operating or doing business in the state without a certificate of authority.

end insert
begin insert

This bill would require every association that holds a certificate of authority to submit to the commissioner the opinion, as specified, of a qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial items that support the policies or contracts issued are based on assumptions that satisfy contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts, and are based on specified actuarial standards and procedures. The bill would also require an association seeking a certificate of authority to file an opinion that meets specified requirements and that establishes that it would have adequate resources to provide benefits, as specified, as required to satisfy its proposed contractual obligations. The bill would require the commissioner to notify the association of the deficiencies in the filing if the association fails to provide an opinion and supporting memoranda to the commissioner that meets the requirements of the bill, as specified. The bill would also require the commissioner, if he or she determines that the laws governing these associations are inadequate to protect the interests of the members of the associations, to develop and deliver recommendations to the Assembly Committee on Insurance and the Senate Committee on Insurance regarding changes in the law that would better protect the interests of members of the associations. The provisions of the bill would remain in effect only until December 31, 2018, and as of that date are repealed.

end insert
begin delete

(1) Existing law generally provides for the regulation of insurers by the Department of Insurance pursuant to laws set forth in the Insurance Code. Existing law authorizes the Insurance Commissioner to make certain examinations, investigations, and prosecutions and, upon making a determination of the existence of certain conduct, conditions, or grounds, to issue orders reasonably necessary to correct, eliminate, or remedy the conduct, conditions, or grounds. Existing law also prohibits insurers from engaging in unfair or deceptive acts or practices, including advertising insurance that an insurer will not sell. A violation of that prohibition is a misdemeanor.

end delete
begin delete

Existing law exempts from the requirements set forth in the Insurance Code firemen’s, policemen’s, and peace officers’ benefit and relief associations that comply with specified criteria, including, among other things, a requirement that the membership consist solely of peace officers, members of police or fire departments, and emergency medical personnel employed by fire departments, as specified. Existing law prohibits an association from operating or doing business in the state without a certificate of authority, and imposes a filing fee of $590 for the application for that certificate.

end delete
begin delete

This bill would repeal those provisions and would enact new provisions governing those entities. Among other things, the bill would revise requirements governing membership, by authorizing these associations to consist of a majority of the members described above.

end delete
begin delete

The bill would also impose new reporting, reserve, and disclosure requirements upon certain associations that offer long-term benefits, as defined. The bill would authorize the commissioner to examine the operations, affairs, transactions, conduct, and financial condition of an association, and to carry out other enforcement duties with respect to these associations. The bill would require these associations to pay a filing fee of $590 for the application for the certificate, and an annual fee of $350, thereby imposing taxes, and would require these associations to pay $347 for filing financial information. The bill would also make these associations subject to the prohibitions against unfair or deceptive acts or practices. By expanding the scope of a crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.

end delete
begin delete

(2) The California Constitution requires the state to reimburse local agencies and school districts for certain costs mandated by the state. Statutory provisions establish procedures for making that reimbursement.

end delete
begin delete

This bill would provide that no reimbursement is required by this act for a specified reason.

end delete
begin delete

(3) This bill would include a change in state statute that would result in a taxpayer paying a higher tax within the meaning of Section 3 of Article XIII A of the California Constitution, and thus would require for passage the approval of 23 of the membership of each house of the Legislature.

end delete

Vote: begin delete23 end deletebegin insertmajorityend insert. Appropriation: no. Fiscal committee: yes. State-mandated local program: begin deleteyes end deletebegin insertnoend insert.

The people of the State of California do enact as follows:

P3    1begin insert

begin insertSECTION 1.end insert  

end insert

begin insertSection 11401.5 is added to the end insertbegin insertInsurance Codeend insertbegin insert,
2to read:end insert

begin insert
3

begin insert11401.5.end insert  

(a) (1) Each association that holds a certificate of
4authority pursuant to this chapter shall submit to the commissioner
5the opinion of a qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and
6related actuarial items that support the policies or contracts issued
7pursuant to this chapter, including policies and contracts issued
8by entities established by these associations that provide benefits
9described in this chapter, are based on assumptions that satisfy
P4    1contractual provisions, are consistent with prior reported amounts,
2and are based on actuarial standards and procedures established
3by the American Academy of Actuaries and the Actuarial Standards
4Board. An association that holds a certificate of authority pursuant
5to this chapter shall file its initial opinion no later than July 1,
6 2016, and each July 1 thereafter.

7(2) An association seeking a certificate of authority pursuant
8to this chapter shall file an opinion, to the extent feasible, that
9establishes that it would have adequate resources to provide
10benefits described in this chapter as required to satisfy its proposed
11contractual obligations.

12(b) The opinion required by subdivision (a) shall include an
13opinion with supporting memoranda consistent with the same
14qualified actuary as to whether the reserves and related actuarial
15items held in support of the policies and contracts, when considered
16in light of the assets held by the association with respect to the
17reserves and related actuarial items, including, but not limited to,
18the investment earnings on the assets and the considerations
19anticipated to be received and retained under the policies and
20contracts, and shall make adequate provision for the association’s
21obligations under the policies and contracts, including, but not
22limited to, the benefits under any expenses associated with the
23policies and contracts.

24(c) The opinion required by subdivision (b) shall be governed
25by the following provisions:

26(1) It shall include a memorandum, in form and substance,
27consistent with actuarial standards and procedures established
28by the American Academy of Actuaries and the Actuarial Standards
29Board, in support of the opinion.

30(2) If the association fails to provide an opinion and supporting
31memoranda to the commissioner that meets the requirements of
32this section, the commissioner shall notify the association of the
33deficiencies in the filing, and shall make a specific request that
34identifies the issues that should be addressed in an amended filing.

35(d) If the commissioner determines, after a review of the filings
36from the associations that the laws governing these associations
37are inadequate to protect the interests of the members of the
38associations, he or she shall develop and deliver recommendations
39to the Assembly Committee on Insurance and the Senate Committee
P5    1on Insurance regarding changes in the law that would better
2protect the interests of members of the associations.

3(e) This section shall remain in effect only until December 31,
42018, and as of that date is repealed, unless a later enacted statute,
5that is enacted before December 31, 2018, deletes or extends that
6date.

end insert
begin delete
7

SECTION 1.  

Chapter 10A (commencing with Section 11400)
8of Part 2 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code is repealed.

9

SEC. 2.  

Chapter 10A (commencing with Section 11400) is
10added to Part 2 of Division 2 of the Insurance Code, to read:

11 

12Chapter  10A. Firefighters’, Police Officers’, or Peace
13Officers’ Benefit and Relief Associations
14

14 

15Article 1.  Definitions and Scope
16

 

17

11400.  

(a) For purposes of this chapter, the following
18definitions apply:

19(1) “ERISA” refers to the Employee Retirement Income Security
20Act of 1974 (Public Law 93-406).

21(2) “Long-term benefits” means scheduled member benefits
22that are eligible to be paid for a period exceeding one year in
23duration. These benefits include, without limitation, any benefit
24providing coverage for loss of income as a result of disability, as
25described in Section 799.01, or for long-term care insurance, as
26defined in Section 10231.2, or any similar coverage or benefit
27providing for payments which may last for a period longer than
28one year.

29(b) Firefighters’, police officers’, or peace officers’ benefit and
30relief associations now existing, or which may be formed on and
31after January 1, 2016, for the purpose of aiding their members or
32dependents of their members in case of sickness, accident, distress,
33or death, shall be subject to the provisions of this chapter.

34(c) An association that offers benefits, and that operates in, and
35accepts members as described in Section 11403 only from a single
36government entity, shall comply with this article, but is not subject
37to Article 2 (commencing with Section 11408). If an association
38operates strictly in accordance with this article, it shall not be
39subject to any other provision of this code, nor to any law of this
P6    1state relating to insurance, whether now existing or hereafter
2enacted, except as expressly provided in this chapter.

3(d) (1) An association that either offers long-term benefits, or
4operates in and accepts members as described in Section 11403
5from more than one government entity, or that does both, shall
6comply with this chapter, except that the association may receive
7support from bona fide employee organizations which represent
8a majority of 50 percent of the membership plus one member of
9the association’s members in negotiations with their employers.

10(2) An association described in paragraph (1) shall also comply
11with Article 2 (commencing with Section 11408), except as
12otherwise provided in paragraph (3).

13(3) An association that arranges at all times to have all long-term
14benefits provided completely and continuously by an insurer
15admitted in this state for the class of benefits offered shall not be
16subject to Article 2 (commencing with Section 11408).

17(e) The commissioner may take regulatory action pursuant to
18any remedy specified in this code against any association which
19fails to comply with the applicable provisions of this chapter.

20(f) The commissioner may adopt reasonable rules and
21regulations for the implementation and administration of this
22chapter.

23(g) This chapter shall not be construed in a manner that conflicts
24with ERISA. Associations governed by ERISA, as amended, shall
25also comply with this chapter, except to the extent that the
26association reasonably believes that compliance with this chapter
27would conflict or interfere with or unduly burden the association’s
28obligation to comply with ERISA.

29

11401.  

An association shall not operate or do business in this
30state without a certificate of authority. The commissioner shall
31issue a certificate of authority to an association unless he or she
32determines, after examination, that it does not comply with the
33applicable provisions of this chapter. The filing fee for the
34application for the certificate of authority shall be five hundred
35ninety dollars ($590). An association shall apply for a certificate
36no later than 18 months after its establishment or the effective date
37of this chapter, whichever is later. An association shall be permitted
38to operate or do business in this state during the first 18 months
39of its establishment and while its application for a certificate of
P7    1authority is pending, provided the association complies in good
2faith with this chapter.

3

11402.  

The association may be incorporated or unincorporated,
4but, if incorporated, it shall neither issue nor be authorized to issue
5shares of stock.

6

11403.  

The membership of an association shall consist solely
7of the following or any combination thereof:

8(a) (1) A majority consisting of at least 50 percent of the
9membership plus one member of the association’s members of
10police departments of municipal or public corporations or districts.

11(2) Other associations that are each comprised of a majority
12consisting of at least 50 percent of the membership plus one
13member of police departments of municipal or public corporations
14or districts that meet the eligibility criteria to participate in an
15association and that satisfy the criteria to participate in an
16association that intends to comply with the requirements of this
17chapter and has been admitted to participate by the association.

18(b) (1) A majority consisting of at least 50 percent of the
19membership plus one member of the association’s members of fire
20departments of municipal or public corporations or districts.

21(2) Other associations that are each comprised of a majority
22consisting of at least 50 percent of the membership plus one
23member of the association’s members of fire departments of
24municipal or public corporations or districts and that satisfy the
25criteria to participate in an association that intends to comply with
26the requirements of this chapter and has been admitted to
27participate by the association.

28(c) (1) A majority consisting of at least 50 percent of the
29membership plus one member of the association’s peace or law
30enforcement officers who are regular and salaried officers or
31employees of the state or of a single county or other political
32subdivision or public or municipal corporation.

33(2) Other associations that are each comprised of a majority
34consisting of at least 50 percent of the membership plus one
35member of the peace or law enforcement officers who are regular
36and salaried officers or employees of the state or of a single county
37or other political subdivision or public or municipal corporation
38and that satisfy the criteria to participate in an association that
39intends to comply with the requirements of this chapter and has
40been admitted to participate by the association.

P8    1(d) (1) A majority consisting of at least 50 percent of the
2membership plus one member of the association’s persons who
3are emergency medical services personnel and employed by a fire
4department of a city, county, or district.

5(2) Other associations that are each comprised of a majority
6consisting of at least 50 percent of the membership plus one
7member of the peace or law enforcement officers who are
8emergency medical services personnel and employed by a fire
9department of a city, county, or district and that satisfy the criteria
10to participate in an association that intends to comply with the
11requirements of this chapter and has been admitted to participate
12by the association.

13(e) A majority consisting of at least 50 percent of the
14membership plus one member of the association’s persons who at
15the time of becoming members of the association were qualified
16pursuant to subdivision (a), (b), (c), or (d).

17

11404.  

The association shall not pay or promise or agree to
18pay, either directly or indirectly, any consideration of any nature
19for the solicitation or procuring of members or applications for
20membership.

21

11405.  

The membership of the association who are eligible to
22vote shall elect the trustees or directors, or the governing body of
23the association, by whatever name their office is known or
24designated.

25

11406.  

Moneys or property directly or indirectly contributed
26to the association by its members shall not be paid out as benefits
27to any persons other than its members, their dependents, or
28beneficiaries nominated in writing by the members or as provided
29by a written plan document governing the payment of that benefit.

30

11407.  

The association shall be supported mainly by
31contributions from its members, whether in the form of fees, dues,
32assessments, or otherwise, and by donations made to it from time
33to time and from any investment earnings on those contributions.
34

34 

35Article 2.  Benefit and Relief Associations Providing Long-Term
36Benefits or Comprised of Multiple Government Subdivisions:
37Reserve Requirements
38

 

39

11408.  

An association that is subject to this article shall do all
40of the following:

P9    1(a) Operate in accordance with sound actuarial principles, and
2be able to meet its obligation to provide the benefits that it promises
3to its members.

4(b) Establish and maintain appropriate loss and loss adjustment
5reserves determined by sound actuarial principles as provided in
6Section 11410 to adequately fund the present value of expected
7future payments provided that the reserve on all policies to which
8the method or basis applied is not less in the aggregate than the
9required reserves as determined in Section 11409 or as determined
10by a qualified actuary that satisfies the requirements of Section
1110489.15 and is based on the standards adopted by the Actuarial
12Standards Board.

13(c) Maintain a contingency reserve of not less than 20 percent
14of the greater of the past 12 months’ premium or the expected
15annual premium for the next 12 months.

16(d) Hold all reserves and other funds for the payment and
17administration of benefits provided pursuant to this chapter in trust,
18to be used for the exclusive purpose for which they were intended,
19which may include necessary and reasonable administrative costs.

20

11409.  

(a) Reserves required by this article shall be invested
21as prescribed in this subdivision and subdivision (b). An association
22shall maintain at least 25 percent of the contingency reserve
23required by subdivision (d) of Section 11408 in investments
24specified in Article 3 (commencing with Section 1170) of Chapter
252 of Part 2 of Division 1 and in Section 1192.5.

26(b) The balance of the assets of the association in an amount
27equal to the reserves may be invested in assets permissible for
28investment by multiple employer welfare arrangements pursuant
29to subdivision (b) of Section 742.245.

30(c)  The commissioner may, after a hearing, by written order,
31require the disposal of any investment made pursuant to subdivision
32(b) if the association has failed to maintain cash or liquid assets
33sufficient to meet its claims and any other contractual obligations.

34

11410.  

(a) Each association that is subject to this article shall
35file with the commissioner, no later than the last day of the
3611-month period after the end of each calendar year, or the last
37day of the 11-month period after the end of each fiscal year not
38on a calendar year basis, or within 30 days of the filing of the
39association’s annual return with the United States Department of
40Labor, whichever is earlier, financial statements audited by a
P10   1certified public accountant. Furthermore, no later than May 1 of
2every third calendar year or the first day of the fifth month after
3the end of each third fiscal year not on a calendar year basis,
4beginning January 1, 2014, an actuarial opinion shall be rendered
5by a qualified actuary that satisfies the requirements of Section
610489.15. The opinion shall be based on standards adopted from
7time to time by the Actuarial Standards Board and on any
8additional standards that the commissioner may by regulation
9prescribe. For the purposes of this section, “qualified actuary”
10means a member in good standing of the American Academy of
11Actuaries who meets the requirements set forth in regulations of
12the commissioner.

13(b) Each association that is subject to this article shall provide
14to its members a summary annual report within the meaning of
15ERISA detailing the association’s year-end financial condition.
16The report shall be provided to members in the time and manner
17required by ERISA. The association shall also provide a copy of
18the report to the commissioner.

19

11411.  

The commissioner or any persons designated by the
20commissioner shall have the power to examine the operations,
21affairs, transactions, conduct, and financial condition of an
22association, and for that purpose shall have access to all books,
23records, and documents that relate to the business of the association
24that is regulated by this chapter during the normal and regular
25business hours of the association, and may examine under oath its
26trustees, officers, agents, and employees in relation to the
27operations, affairs, transactions, conduct, and condition of the
28association. If, after a duly noticed hearing with the association
29during which the association is given a full and fair opportunity
30to address the written issues or concerns raised by the
31commissioner following his or her examination of the association’s
32operations, affairs, transactions, conduct, and financial condition
33of the association, the commissioner determines that the
34association’s operations, affairs, transactions, conduct, or financial
35condition do not comply with requirements of this chapter, the
36commissioner may apply any remedies authorized by this code.
37Examinations will be conducted at the expense of the department.

38

11412.  

(a) Upon reasonable request of the commissioner, and
39at reasonable intervals as prescribed by him or her, any association
40that reasonably appears to the commissioner to require immediate
P11   1regulatory attention based on written evidence or other information
2shall provide to the commissioner supplemental accounting,
3financial, and actuarial information. The commissioner shall
4provide all written evidence or other information that forms the
5basis of the commissioner’s request to an association at the time
6the request is made. The commissioner may request that an
7association select and retain an independent certified public
8accountant, a certified public accountant corporation, an actuarial
9corporation, or an independent actuary satisfactory to the
10commissioner, if the association has not already retained experts
11of this type who meet the then-current regulatory standards of the
12actuarial society. The commissioner, at the expense of the
13association, may select or retain an independent certified public
14accountant, a certified public accountant corporation, an actuarial
15corporation, or an independent actuary, if the association does not
16within a reasonable time make the selection as requested by the
17commissioner.

18(b) The provisions of Sections 925.1 to 925.4, inclusive, shall
19apply to all proceedings under this section.

20

11413.  

Books, records, and documents pertaining to the
21business of an association that is subject to this article shall be
22maintained either by the association or by its administrator if any,
23or both, for a period of five years after the end of the year when
24the transaction evidenced thereby ends. “Administrator,” as used
25in this section, has the same meaning as that contained in Section
261002(16)(A) of Title 29 of the United States Code.

27

11414.  

An association that is subject to this article shall not
28avoid the applicability of this article by making statements in any
29contract for benefits, or by any other means, to the effect that
30payment of benefits to any member when eligible for benefits
31based on the date of injury (and provided the member has satisfied
32the association’s reasonable claims procedure) is contingent upon
33the availability of assets, moneys, or other financial resources
34sufficient to make the payment. This article does not provide for
35the vesting of any benefit that is not already in pay status and does
36not affect an association’s right to amend or terminate a plan in
37whole or in part.

38

11415.  

(a) All contracts that are not regulated by the
39department for benefits, and certificates evidencing coverage
P12   1thereunder, shall include the following disclosure, in capital letters
2and in a minimum of 12-point font:


4THE ASSOCIATION DOES NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY
5OF THE INSURANCE GUARANTEE FUNDS CREATED BY
6CALIFORNIA LAW. THEREFORE, THESE FUNDS WILL
7NOT PAY YOUR CLAIMS OR PROTECT YOUR BENEFITS
8IF THE ASSOCIATION BECOMES INSOLVENT AND IS
9UNABLE TO MAKE PAYMENTS AS PROMISED.

10THE ASSOCIATION IS NOT REGULATED BY THE STATE
11OF CALIFORNIA TO THE SAME EXTENT AS INSURERS
12THAT PARTICIPATE IN ANY OF THE INSURANCE
13GUARANTEE FUNDS CREATED BY CALIFORNIA LAW,
14AND ARE LICENSED UNDER OTHER PROVISIONS OF THE
15CALIFORNIA INSURANCE CODE.
16


17(b) An association shall, upon written request from any member,
18provide to that member a copy of the contract for benefits,
19certificate evidencing coverage, or other plan document that
20describes the benefits being provided to that member, within 30
21days of the request.

22(c) Members shall be given notice of any material benefit plan
23amendment within the time and in the manner required for
24Summary Material Modifications under ERISA.

25(d) If an association maintains an Internet Web site, the
26association shall provide an electronic link within that Internet
27Web site where both members and prospective members can see
28the most current benefit plan documents and the most recent
29certified audited financial statements that the association is required
30to file with the United States Department of Labor, Internal
31Revenue Service, or the Franchise Tax Board.

32

11416.  

(a) An association that elects to cease operation in this
33state shall be governed by and comply with the provisions of
34Sections 1070 to 1076, inclusive.

35(b) Notwithstanding subdivision (a), if an association is a
36tax-exempt voluntary employee benefit association (VEDA), it
37shall cease operations in accordance with the rules applicable to
38VEDA’s and ERISA plans.

39

11417.  

An association shall owe and pay the following annual
40fees, in addition to any other remuneration required by law:

P13   1(a) An annual fee of three hundred fifty dollars ($350) in
2advance, that shall be due on each March 1, and shall be delinquent
3on and after April 1.

4(b) An annual fee of three hundred forty-seven dollars ($347)
5for filing of financial information, due when the information is
6filed pursuant to Section 11410.

7

11418.  

The commissioner may exercise stop order power over
8an association that is subject to this article, pursuant to Sections
91065.1 to 1065.7, inclusive.

10

11419.  

(a) An association shall continue to provide long-term
11benefits to any individual or entity that is no longer a member but
12became entitled to benefits prior to the end of membership, as if
13that individual or entity remained a member, provided the member
14satisfied the association’s reasonable claims procedure.

15(b) Benefits may be limited to the duration of the benefit period,
16if any, or to payment of the maximum benefits, and may be subject
17to any policy waiting period, and all other applicable provisions
18of the policy consistent with this section, including any reasonable
19claims procedure.

20(c) An association may stop providing benefits to an individual
21or entity specified in subdivision (a) upon receipt of written
22confirmation from a successor association or admitted insurer that
23the individual or entity will begin receiving those benefits without
24lapse. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an association may reduce
25or coordinate the member’s benefit with the successor association’s
26plan or insurer’s policy if the association has a reasonable belief
27that the member is receiving or is eligible for benefits under the
28successor plan or insurance policy.

29(d) Notwithstanding any other provision of this chapter, any
30individual or entity that is no longer a member of the association,
31but, while still a member, paid all funds or contributions necessary
32to be entitled to paid-up, long-term benefits, shall be entitled to
33receive benefits as if that individual or entity remained a member,
34unless the obligation to pay those benefits is assumed by a
35successor association or admitted insurer.

36

11419.5.  

An association that is subject to this article is subject
37to the provisions of Sections 790 to 790.09, inclusive.

38

11419.6.  

(a) (1) Any individual or entity aggrieved by an
39action taken by an association regarding payment of benefits, or
40entitlement to benefits, or eligibility to participate in a plan
P14   1sponsored by an association, may file a complaint or submit an
2inquiry to the commissioner pursuant to the applicable provisions
3of Sections 12921.1 to 12921.4, inclusive.

4(2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1), for an association whose
5plan provides benefits that are subject to this chapter that are also
6subject to ERISA, an individual or entity may not file a complaint
7or submit an inquiry regarding the payment of those benefits, or
8entitlement to benefits, or eligibility to participate in a plan
9sponsored by an association, to the commissioner until the
10individual or entity has exhausted the association’s internal claims
11and appeals procedure.

12(b) An individual or entity may file a complaint or submit an
13inquiry to the commissioner regarding an association’s compliance
14with Section 11401, 11402, 11403, 11404, 11405, 11406, 11407,
1511408, 11409, 11410, or 11415 pursuant to the applicable
16provisions of Sections 12921.1 to 12921.4, inclusive.

17

11419.7.  

If, upon sufficient complaint or inquiry as provided
18in subdivision (a) or (b) of Section 11419.6, the commissioner has
19good cause to believe that an association has violated any of the
20provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may hold a public
21hearing in connection with those violations. This hearing may be
22in accordance with the administrative adjudication provisions of
23the Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing with
24Section 11400) of, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
2511500) of, Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code),
26and the commissioner shall have all the powers granted pursuant
27to these provisions. For any complaint or inquiry as provided in
28subdivision (a) of Section 11419.6 regarding the payment of
29benefits, or entitlement to benefits, the commissioner shall not
30have the power to direct the payment of any benefit to a member
31unless the terms of the plan governing the benefit expressly allows
32for that payment.

33

11419.8.  

If, after a hearing pursuant to Section 11419.7
34regarding a complaint or inquiry as provided in Section 11419.6
35and the administrative adjudication provisions of the
36Administrative Procedure Act (Chapter 4.5 (commencing with
37Section 11400) of, and Chapter 5 (commencing with Section
3811500) of, Part 1 of Division 3 of Title 2 of the Government Code),
39the commissioner finds that an association has violated the
40provisions of this chapter, the commissioner may, in addition to
P15   1other penalties and remedies provided in this code, suspend or
2revoke, in whole or in part, the certificate of authority of any
3association granted pursuant to Section 11401.

4

SEC. 3.  

No reimbursement is required by this act pursuant to
5Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California Constitution because
6the only costs that may be incurred by a local agency or school
7district will be incurred because this act creates a new crime or
8infraction, eliminates a crime or infraction, or changes the penalty
9for a crime or infraction, within the meaning of Section 17556 of
10the Government Code, or changes the definition of a crime within
11the meaning of Section 6 of Article XIII B of the California
12Constitution.

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