Insurance omnibus.

Existing law regulates the licensing and the renewal of licensing of insurance agents, adjusters, and brokers by specifying who is eligible for a license and the requirements for applying for or renewing a license. This bill would state that a person under 18 years of age is not eligible to apply for certain specified licenses. This bill would require the use of electronic forms of application for certain licenses and, except as specified would authorize the commissioner to electronically deliver forms to renew certain licenses to licensees, as specified. This bill would require a person applying for certain insurance licenses to supply the commissioner with his or her e-mail address, in addition to a mailing address, as specified. Existing law requires applicants for certain licenses to meet certain prelicensing education standards, as specified. This bill would delete the prelicensing education requirement for resident applicants who currently hold a nonresident license. Existing law requires the commissioner to charge a fee for the filing of an application or request for a copy of, or a duplicate license for licenses related to disability insurance, surplus lines, bail, life and disability analysts, and motor clubs, as specified. This bill would delete that requirement. Existing law requires specified persons who are licensed as life-only agents, accident and health agents, or fire and casualty broker agents to complete certain prelicensing and continuing education requirements. Existing law exempts a licensee from these requirements if the licensee submits proof satisfactory to the Insurance Commissioner that he or she has been a licensee in good standing for 30 continuous years in California and is 70 years of age or older. This bill would provide that this exemption shall not apply to those individuals licensed for the first time on or after January 1, 2010. Existing law requires a person licensed as a personal lines broker-agent to complete 20 hours of continuing education during each 2-year license term, as specified. This bill would increase that requirement to 24 hours of continuing education. Existing law prohibits nonresident insurance organizations from using residents of California to exercise the powers and perform the duties of their license in California. This bill would delete that prohibition and allow nonresident insurance organizations to use California residents to conduct their business in California. Existing law requires a life agent or applicant to take and pass a written qualifying test before the commissioner can grant the person authority to transact variable contracts, as specified. This bill would delete the requirement for passing a written test and would correct an erroneous cross-reference to federal authority. Existing law requires a person employed as a title marketing representative to hold a certificate of registration issued by the insurance commissioner. Under existing law, the commissioner must mail an application to renew a registration not less than 60 days before a certificate of registration will expire. This bill would authorize the commissioner to mail or use an electronic delivery method to deliver the application, as specified.