The commissioner may require an insurer to produce information and may use subpoenas and court orders to enforce compliance.
Sec. 823.351. EXAMINATION OF INSURER. (a) Subject to Section 823.352, the commissioner may order an insurer registered under Subchapter B to produce records, books, or other information papers in the possession of the insurer or an affiliate of the insurer that are necessary to ascertain the financial condition or legality of conduct of the insurer, including the enterprise risk to the insurer by the ultimate controlling party, or by any entity or combination of entities within the insurance holding company system, or by the insurance holding company system on a consolidated basis. (a-1) To determine compliance with this chapter, the commissioner may order any insurer registered under Subchapter B to produce information not in the possession of the insurer if the insurer can obtain access to the information pursuant to contractual relationships, statutory obligations, or other methods. In the event that the insurer is unable to obtain the information requested by the commissioner, the insurer shall provide the commissioner with a detailed explanation of the reason why the insurer is unable to obtain the information, and the identity of the holder of information. If it appears to the commissioner that the insurer's explanation is without merit, the commissioner may after notice and hearing: (1) require the insurer to pay a penalty of not less than $100 for each day the insurer delays producing the information; or (2) suspend or revoke the insurer's license. (b) If an insurer fails to comply with an order under this section, the commissioner by order may require the examination of each holding company of the insurer and each controlled person or affiliate in the insurer's insurance holding company system if the commissioner has cause to believe that: (1) the operations of that person may materially affect the operations, management, or financial condition of any controlled insurer in that system; and (2) the commissioner is unable to obtain relevant information from the controlled insurer. (b-1) The commissioner may issue subpoenas, administer oaths, and examine under oath any person for purposes of determining compliance with this section. On the failure or refusal of a person to obey a subpoena, the commissioner may petition a court of competent jurisdiction, and on proper showing, the court may enter an order compelling the witness to appear and testify or produce documentary evidence. Failure to obey the court order is punishable as contempt of court. A person shall attend as a witness at the place specified in the subpoena, when subpoenaed, at any location in this state. The person is entitled to the same fees and mileage, if claimed, as a witness in district court. Fees, mileage, and actual expenses necessarily incurred in securing the attendance of a witness shall be itemized and charged against, and be paid by, the insurer being examined. (c) The commissioner shall specify in an order under Subsection (b) the grounds for the examination. An examination under Subsection (b) shall be confined to matters specified in the order. (d) Only the person sought to be examined under Subsection (b) is entitled to seek judicial review of an order under that subsection. Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1419, Sec. 1, eff. June 1, 2003. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 922 (S.B. 1431), Sec. 16, eff. September 1, 2011.