Washington 2023-2024 Regular Session Status: Passed Senate 3 D cosponsors

SB 5220 — Concerning reorganization of domestic mutual insurers.

Last action — By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  1. ✓
    Introduced
  2. ✓
    In Committee
  3. 3
    Passed Senate
  4. 4
    Passed House
  5. 5
    To Executive
  6. 6
    Enacted

This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.

This bill is no longer active — its legislative session has ended, so there are no live odds of enactment. It would have to be reintroduced in the current session to move again.

Bill Text

What changed in the latest version

374 added · 379 removed

Plain-language change summary

The changes to SB 5220 involve a shift in focus from allowing domestic mutual insurers to reorganize as stock corporations to enabling them to convert into mutual holding companies. This new approach ensures that any reorganization is deemed fair and equitable for policyholders, with additional steps for transparency, including the need for member approval and detailed documentation submitted to the insurance commissioner. This matters because it strengthens protections for members of mutual insurers, ensuring they are adequately compensated and involved in the decision-making process regarding their insurer's future.

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S-0710.1 SUBSTITUTE SENATE BILL 5220 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2023 Regular Session By Senate Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade (originally sponsored by Senators Frame, Stanford, Kuderer, and Nobles) READ FIRST TIME 01/20/23.
S-0507.1 SENATE BILL 5220 State of Washington 68th Legislature 2023 Regular Session By Senators Frame, Stanford, Kuderer, and Nobles Read first time 01/10/23.
Referred to Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade.
amending RCW 48.09.350;
1 SSB 5220 (6) "Eligible member" means a member of the converting mutual insurer whose insurance policy is in force as of the date on which the board adopts the plan or on some other date that the plan specifies as the record date and that the commissioner approves.
1 SB 5220 (6) "Eligible member" means a member of the converting mutual insurer whose insurance policy is in force as of the date on which the board adopts the plan or on some other date that the plan specifies as the record date and that the commissioner approves.
2 SSB 5220 (13)(a) "Voting stock" means stock of any class or any percentage ownership interest having voting power for the election of directors, trustees, or management.
2 SB 5220 (13)(a) "Voting stock" means stock of any class or any percentage ownership interest having voting power for the election of directors, trustees, or management.
(1) Upon satisfaction of the requirements applicable to the formation of a domestic stock insurer, a domestic mutual insurer may be reorganized as a stock corporation, pursuant to a plan as approved by the commissioner.
(2) A domestic mutual insurer may be wholly reinsured in and its assets transferred to and its liabilities assumed by another mutual or stock insurer under such terms and conditions as are approved by the commissioner in advance of such reinsurance.
(3) The commissioner shall not approve any such plan or reinsurance agreement which does not determine the amount of and make adequate provision for paying to members of such mutual insurer, reasonable compensation for their equities as owners of such insurer, such compensation to be apportioned to members as identified and in the manner prescribed in RCW 48.09.360.
The procedure for approval by the commissioner of any such plan or reinsurance agreement shall be the same as the procedure for approval by the commissioner of a plan of merger or consolidation under RCW 48.31.010.
Approval at a corporate meeting of members by two-thirds of the then members of a domestic mutual insurer who vote on the plan or agreement pursuant to such notice and procedure as was approved by the commissioner shall constitute approval of any such plan or reinsurance agreement by the insurer's members.
(a) On the effective date of a plan, all of the following shall occur:
(i) The converting mutual insurer becomes a converted stock insurer.
The amended or restated articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the plan and shall become effective on the effective date of the conversion.
The commissioner shall amend the certificate of authority of the converting mutual insurer on the effective date of the conversion;
(ii) All membership interests and rights in surplus of the converting mutual insurer are extinguished and the members of the converting mutual insurer become members of the mutual holding p.
3 SB 5220 company in accordance with this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company;
(iii) Any owner of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by the converted stock insurer after the effective date of the conversion and, if permitted under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the mutual holding company, any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by any other insurer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the mutual holding company after the effective date of the reorganization becomes a member of the mutual holding company;
(iv) The mutual holding company or, if created, an intermediate stock holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer;
(v) The mutual holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of any intermediate stock holding company;
and (vi) A converted stock insurer continues the corporate existence of the converting mutual insurer.
Except as provided in the plan, the conversion does not annul, modify, or change any existing license or other authority or any of the existing civil actions, rights, contracts, or liabilities of the converting mutual insurer.
The converted stock insurer retains all property, debts, and choses in action and every other interest belonging to the converting mutual insurer before the conversion without further action needed.
On and after the effective date of the conversion, the converted stock insurer may exercise all rights and powers conferred and shall perform all duties imposed by law on insurers writing the classes of insurance written by the converted stock insurer, shall retain the rights and contracts of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, and shall be subject to all obligations and liabilities of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, subject to the terms of the plan.
(b) Any intermediate stock holding company created at the time of reorganization to hold the stock of the converting mutual insurer shall be incorporated under chapter 23B.02 RCW and may engage in any business or activity permitted by chapter 23B.02 RCW.
(c) The converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company may issue to third parties debt securities, stock p.
4 SB 5220 other than voting stock, and voting stock if all of the following apply:
(i) No shares of stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding voting stock of either the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company, if any, are issued to third parties;
and (ii) A majority of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer is at all times owned by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company, a majority of whose voting stock is held by the mutual holding company, and such majority interest in the converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company is not conveyed, transferred, assigned, pledged, subjected to a security interest or lien, placed in a voting trust, encumbered, or otherwise hypothecated or alienated by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company.
Any conveyance, transfer, assignment, pledge, security interest, lien, placement in a voting trust, encumbrance, or hypothecation or alienation of, in or on a majority of the voting shares of the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company in violation of this subsection (3)(c)(ii) is void in inverse chronological order as to the shares necessary to constitute a majority of such voting stock.
(d) Unless otherwise specified in the plan, the directors and officers of the converting mutual insurer shall serve as directors and officers of the mutual holding company, any intermediate stock holding company, and the converted stock insurer until new directors and officers are elected.
NEW SECTION.
Sec.
3.
(c) The form of any proxies to be solicited from the eligible members.
p.
5 SB 5220 (c) The form of any proxies to be solicited from the eligible members.
The notice shall be mailed to the last known address of each eligible member, as shown on p.
The notice shall be mailed to the last known address of each eligible member, as shown on the records of the converting mutual insurer, within 45 days after the commissioner approves the plan.
3 SSB 5220 the records of the converting mutual insurer, within 45 days after the commissioner approves the plan.
and (iii) The plan is approved by the eligible members on the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the eligible members voting on the plan, unless the bylaws require a greater number of affirmative votes.
and (iii) The plan is approved by the eligible members on the affirmative vote of two-thirds or more of the eligible members voting on the plan, unless the bylaws require a greater number of p.
6 SB 5220 affirmative votes.
3.
4.
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(2) A description of how the plan will be carried out, including any transaction included within the plan and a description of any p.
(2) A description of how the plan will be carried out, including any transaction included within the plan and a description of any mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
4 SSB 5220 mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
(8) The proposed amendments to or restatement of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer and the proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws of any mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
(8) The proposed amendments to or restatement of the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer and the proposed articles of incorporation and bylaws of any mutual holding p.
7 SB 5220 company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan;
(10) The intention, if any, that a director or officer of the converting mutual insurer, mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan, within the three-year period following the effective date of the conversion or reorganization, may purchase or acquire shares of capital stock or other securities of an issuer to be issued pursuant to the plan;
(10) The intention, if any, that a commissioner or officer of the converting mutual insurer, mutual holding company, intermediate stock holding company, or other corporation organized pursuant to the plan, within the three-year period following the effective date of the conversion or reorganization, may purchase or acquire shares of capital stock or other securities of an issuer to be issued pursuant to the plan;
4.
5.
On review, the commissioner p.
On review, the commissioner shall approve the plan if the commissioner finds all of the following:
5 SSB 5220 shall approve the plan if the commissioner finds all of the following:
(g) The financial condition of the converting mutual insurer is not jeopardized by the conversion or reorganization, and the conversion or reorganization does not jeopardize the financial stability of the mutual holding company or any subsidiary of the mutual holding company;
p.
8 SB 5220 (g) The financial condition of the converting mutual insurer is not jeopardized by the conversion or reorganization, and the conversion or reorganization does not jeopardize the financial stability of the mutual holding company or any subsidiary of the mutual holding company;
p.
(5) The commissioner may hold a hearing as prescribed in chapter 48.04 RCW and the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, for the purposes of receiving comments on whether a plan should be approved and on any other matter relating to the reorganization.
6 SSB 5220 (5) The commissioner may hold a hearing as prescribed in chapter 48.04 RCW and the administrative procedure act, chapter 34.05 RCW, for the purposes of receiving comments on whether a plan should be approved and on any other matter relating to the reorganization.
5.
6.
(2) Except where inconsistent with the provisions of this section, RCW 48.07.030, 48.09.110(2) through 48.09.160, 48.09.360, and 48.36A.390 shall be interpreted to apply to a mutual holding company in the same manner as if the mutual holding company were a domestic mutual insurer, considering the fact that a mutual holding company does not issue policies and does not have a certificate of authority.
(2) Except where inconsistent with the provisions of this section, RCW 48.07.030, 48.09.110(2) through 48.09.160, 48.09.360, and 48.36A.390 shall be interpreted to apply to a mutual holding company in the same manner as if the mutual holding company were a domestic mutual insurer, considering the fact that a mutual holding p.
9 SB 5220 company does not issue policies and does not have a certificate of authority.
A member of a mutual holding company is not personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities, or obligations of p.
A member of a mutual holding company is not personally liable for the acts, debts, liabilities, or obligations of the mutual holding company merely by reason of being a member.
7 SSB 5220 the mutual holding company merely by reason of being a member.
(8) The articles of incorporation of a mutual holding company shall contain the following provisions:
p.
10 SB 5220 (8) The articles of incorporation of a mutual holding company shall contain the following provisions:
6.
7.
The concurrent reorganization of a domestic mutual insurer with one or more mutual insurers, domestic or foreign, into a single mutual holding company, whether domestic or p.
The concurrent reorganization of a domestic mutual insurer with one or more mutual insurers, domestic or foreign, into a single mutual holding company, whether domestic or foreign, may be accomplished by a joint application and a joint plan and may be approved by the commissioner by complying with the requirements of this chapter.
8 SSB 5220 foreign, may be accomplished by a joint application and a joint plan and may be approved by the commissioner by complying with the requirements of this chapter.
7.
8.
The reorganizing foreign mutual insurer may remain a foreign insurer after the restructuring and may be admitted to do business in this state if it meets the applicable requirements of this title.
The reorganizing foreign mutual insurer may remain a p.
11 SB 5220 foreign insurer after the restructuring and may be admitted to do business in this state if it meets the applicable requirements of this title.
Sec.
8.
RCW 48.09.350 and 1984 c 23 s 1 are each amended to read as follows:
(1) Upon satisfaction of the requirements applicable to the formation of a domestic stock insurer, a domestic mutual insurer may be reorganized as a stock corporation, pursuant to a plan of reorganization as approved by the commissioner.
(2) A domestic mutual insurer may be wholly reinsured in and its assets transferred to and its liabilities assumed by another mutual or stock insurer under such terms and conditions as are approved by the commissioner in advance of such reinsurance.
(3) The commissioner shall not approve any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement which does not determine the amount of p.
9 SSB 5220 and make adequate provision for paying to members of such mutual insurer, reasonable compensation for their equities as owners of such insurer, such compensation to be apportioned to members as identified and in the manner prescribed in RCW 48.09.360.
The procedure for approval by the commissioner of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement shall be the same as the procedure for approval by the commissioner of a plan of merger or consolidation under RCW 48.31.010.
Approval at a corporate meeting of members by two-thirds of the then members of a domestic mutual insurer who vote on the plan or agreement pursuant to such notice and procedure as was approved by the commissioner shall constitute approval of any such reorganization plan or reinsurance agreement by the insurer's members.
(4) The following applies if a mutual holding company conversion occurs:
(a) On the effective date of a plan, all of the following shall occur:
(i) The converting mutual insurer becomes a converted stock insurer.
The amended or restated articles of incorporation and bylaws of the converting mutual insurer shall be filed with the commissioner as part of the plan and shall become effective on the effective date of the conversion.
The commissioner shall amend the certificate of authority of the converting mutual insurer on the effective date of the conversion;
(ii) All membership interests and rights in surplus of the converting mutual insurer are extinguished and the members of the converting mutual insurer become members of the mutual holding company in accordance with this chapter and the articles of incorporation and bylaws of the mutual holding company;
(iii) Any owner of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by the converted stock insurer after the effective date of the conversion and, if permitted under the articles of incorporation or bylaws of the mutual holding company, any holder of one or more policies of insurance, other than a policy of reinsurance, issued by any other insurer that is a direct or indirect subsidiary or affiliate of the mutual holding company after the effective date of the reorganization becomes a member of the mutual holding company;
p.
10 SSB 5220 (iv) The mutual holding company or, if created, an intermediate stock holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer;
(v) The mutual holding company acquires and shall retain all shares of the voting stock of any intermediate stock holding company;
and (vi) A converted stock insurer continues the corporate existence of the converting mutual insurer.
Except as provided in the plan, the conversion does not annul, modify, or change any existing license or other authority or any of the existing civil actions, rights, contracts, or liabilities of the converting mutual insurer.
The converted stock insurer retains all property, debts, and choses in action and every other interest belonging to the converting mutual insurer before the conversion without further action needed.
On and after the effective date of the conversion, the converted stock insurer may exercise all rights and powers conferred and shall perform all duties imposed by law on insurers writing the classes of insurance written by the converted stock insurer, shall retain the rights and contracts of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, and shall be subject to all obligations and liabilities of the converting mutual insurer existing immediately before the conversion, subject to the terms of the plan.
(b) Any intermediate stock holding company created at the time of reorganization to hold the stock of the converting mutual insurer shall be incorporated under chapter 23B.02 RCW and may engage in any business or activity permitted by chapter 23B.02 RCW.
(c) The converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company may issue to third parties debt securities, stock other than voting stock, and voting stock if all of the following apply:
(i) No shares of stock representing a majority of the voting power of all issued and outstanding voting stock of either the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company, if any, are issued to third parties;
and (ii) A majority of the voting stock of the converted stock insurer is at all times owned by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company, a majority of whose voting stock is held by the mutual holding company, and such majority interest in the converted stock insurer and any intermediate stock holding company is not conveyed, transferred, assigned, pledged, subjected to p.
11 SSB 5220 a security interest or lien, placed in a voting trust, encumbered, or otherwise hypothecated or alienated by the mutual holding company or by the intermediate stock holding company.
Any conveyance, transfer, assignment, pledge, security interest, lien, placement in a voting trust, encumbrance, or hypothecation or alienation of, in, or on a majority of the voting shares of the converted stock insurer or the intermediate stock holding company in violation of this subsection (4)(c)(ii) is void in inverse chronological order as to the shares necessary to constitute a majority of such voting stock.
(d) Unless otherwise specified in the plan, the directors and officers of the converting mutual insurer shall serve as directors and officers of the mutual holding company, any intermediate stock holding company, and the converted stock insurer until new directors and officers are elected.
Sections 1 through 7 of this act are each added to chapter 48.09 RCW and codified with the subchapter heading of "Reorganization of domestic mutual insurers." --- END --- p.
Sections 1 through 8 of this act are each added to chapter 48.09 RCW and codified with the subchapter heading of "Reorganization of domestic mutual insurers." --- END --- p.
12 SSB 5220
12 SB 5220
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Action History

  1. By resolution, reintroduced and retained in present status.

  2. Senate Rules "X" file.

  3. Passed to Rules Committee for second reading.

  4. Minority; without recommendation.

  5. BFGT - Majority; 1st substitute bill be substituted, do pass.

  6. Executive action taken in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade at 10:30 AM.

  7. Public hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade at 8:00 AM.

  8. First reading, referred to Business, Financial Services, Gaming & Trade.

Sponsors

Sponsorship breakdown

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1 sponsors · 3 co-sponsors · 147 not signed on

Sponsors (1)

Co-sponsors (3)

Not signed on (147)

147 members have not signed on to this bill.

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Frequently asked questions

Who sponsors SB 5220?
SB 5220 is sponsored by T'wina Nobles (Democrat), Kuderer, Derek Stanford (Democrat), and Noel Frame (Democrat).
What is the current status of SB 5220?
This bill died with 2023-2024 Regular Session. It reached “Passed Senate” and never advanced before the session ended, so it can no longer move — a new version would have to be reintroduced in the current session.
Where can I track SB 5220?
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