(a) The Board of the Arkansas Earthquake Authority may either appoint an Executive Director of the Arkansas Earthquake Authority or may select a Plan Administrator of the Arkansas Earthquake Authority. If an executive director is chosen, he or she shall hire all staff necessary to enable him or her to discharge the duties imposed under this chapter and as may be authorized by law. If a plan administrator is chosen, the board may utilize a competitive bidding process to evaluate applicants and bids submitted under this section, based upon criteria established by the board which shall include, but not be limited to, the following:
(1) An estimate of total charges for administering the plan;
(2) The financial condition and stability of the plan administrator; and
(3) The technical expertise and qualifications of personnel.
(b) The plan administrator shall serve for a period of three (3) years subject to removal for cause and subject to the terms, conditions, and limitations of the contract between the board and the plan administrator. The board may advertise for and accept bids to serve as the plan administrator for the succeeding three-year periods.
(c) The executive director or plan administrator shall perform functions related to the plan as may be assigned to it including:
(1) Determination of eligibility for coverage under the Market Assistance Program or the Arkansas Earthquake Authority;
(2) Payment and processing of claims;
(3) Establishment of a premium billing procedure for collection of premiums. Billings shall be made on a periodic basis as determined by the board;
(4) Other necessary functions to assure timely payment of benefits to covered persons under the plan, including:
(A) Making available information relating to the proper manner of submitting a claim for benefits under the plan and distributing forms upon which submissions shall be made; and
(B) Evaluating the eligibility of each claim for payment under the plan; and
(5) Conduct necessary analyses at reasonable intervals to appropriately evaluate the Arkansas earthquake insurance market and take action necessary to accomplish the purposes of this chapter.
(d) The executive director or plan administrator shall submit regular reports to the board regarding the operation of the plan. Frequency, content, and form of the report shall be determined by the board.
(e) The executive director or plan administrator shall pay claim expenses from the premium payments or other income received from or on behalf of plan participants and allocated by the board for claim expenses. If the total amount available at any time to the authority is insufficient to make all necessary claims payments, the moneys available shall be prorated, and the unpaid portion shall be paid as soon thereafter as moneys become available.
(f) The executive director or plan administrator shall be governed by the requirements of this chapter.
(g) The plan administrator shall be compensated as provided in the contract between the board and the plan administrator.