§ 58-65-132.  Review and approval of conversion plan; new corporation.

(a) Approval of Plan of Conversion. - The Commissioner shall approve the plan of conversion and issue a certificate of authority to the new corporation to transact business in this State only if the Commissioner finds all of the following:

(1) The plan of conversion meets the requirements of G.S. 58-65-131, this section, and G.S. 58-65-133.

(2) Upon conversion, the new corporation will meet the applicable standards and conditions under this Chapter, including applicable minimum capital and surplus requirements.

(3) The plan of conversion adequately protects the existing contractual rights of the corporation's subscribers and certificate holders to dental, health care, medical, or vision services and payment of claims for reimbursement for those services.

(4) No director, officer, or employee of the corporation will receive:

a. Any fee, commission, compensation, or other valuable consideration for aiding, promoting, or assisting in the conversion of the corporation other than compensation paid to any director, officer, or employee of the corporation in the ordinary course of business; or

b. Any distribution of the assets, surplus, capital, or capital stock of the new corporation as part of a conversion.

(5) The corporation has complied with all material requirements of this Chapter, and disciplinary action is not pending against the corporation.

(6) The plan of conversion is fair and equitable and not prejudicial to the contractual rights of the policyholders and certificate holders of the new corporation.

(7) The plan of conversion is in the public interest. The Commissioner shall find that the plan is in the public interest only if it provides a benefit for the people of North Carolina equal to the value of the corporation at the time of conversion, in accordance with the criteria set out in this subdivision. In determining whether the plan of conversion is in the public interest, the Commissioner may also consider other factors, including, but not limited to, those relating to the accessibility and affordability of health care. The Commissioner must determine that the plan of conversion meets all of the following criteria:

a. Consideration, determined by the Commissioner to be equal to one hundred percent (100%) of the fair market value of the corporation, will be conveyed or issued by the corporation to the Foundation at the time the new corporation files its articles of incorporation. If the consideration to be conveyed is all of the common stock of the new corporation that is then issued and outstanding at the time of conversion, and there is no other capital stock of any type or nature then outstanding, it is conclusively presumed that the Foundation will acquire the fair market value of the corporation.

b. At any time after the conversion, the new corporation may issue, in a public offering or a private placement, additional shares of common stock of the same class and having the same voting, dividend, and other rights as that transferred to the Foundation, subject to the applicable provisions of Chapter 55 of the General Statutes and any voting and registration agreements.

(8) The plan of conversion contains a proposed voting agreement and registration agreement between the Foundation and the proposed new corporation that meets the requirements of G.S. 58-65-133.

(9) The Attorney General has given approval pursuant to G.S. 58-65-133(h).

(b) New Corporation. - After issuance of the certificate of authority as provided in subsection (a) of this section, the new corporation shall no longer be subject to this Article and Article 66 of this Chapter but shall be subject to and comply with all applicable laws and regulations applicable to domestic insurers and Chapter 55 of the General Statutes, except that Articles 9 and 9A of Chapter 55 shall not apply to the new corporation. The new corporation shall file its articles of incorporation, as amended and certified by the Commissioner, with the North Carolina Secretary of State. The legal existence of the corporation does not terminate, and the new corporation is a continuation of the corporation. The conversion shall only be a change in identity and form of organization. Except as provided in subdivision (a)(7) of this subsection, all property, assets, rights, liabilities, obligations, interests, and relations of whatever kind of the corporation shall continue and remain in the new corporation. All actions and legal proceedings to which the corporation was a party prior to conversion shall be unaffected by the conversion.

(c) Final Decision and Order; Procedures. - The Commissioner's final decision and order regarding the plan of conversion shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law. Findings of fact shall be based upon and supported by substantial evidence, including evidence submitted with the plan by the corporation and evidence obtained at hearings held by the Commissioner. A person aggrieved by a final decision of the Commissioner approving or disapproving a conversion may petition the Superior Court of Wake County within 30 days thereafter for judicial review. An appeal from a final decision and order of the Commissioner under this section shall be conducted pursuant to G.S. 58-2-75. Chapter 150B of the General Statutes does not apply to the procedures of G.S. 58-65-131, this section, and G.S. 58-65-133. This subsection does not apply to appeal of an order of the Commissioner issued pursuant to G.S. 58-65-131(c).

(d) Attorney General's Enforcement Authority; Legal Action on Validity of Plan of Conversion. -

(1) Nothing in this Chapter limits the power of the Attorney General to seek a declaratory judgment or to take other legal action to protect or enforce the rights of the public in the corporation.

(2) Any legal action with respect to the conversion must be filed in the Superior Court of Wake County. (1998-3, s. 2; 2021-169, s. 1.)