(a) No person may transact the business of legal insurance in this state without first obtaining a certificate of authority under this subchapter.
(b)
(1) Any person may apply to the Insurance Commissioner for, and obtain, a certificate of authority to transact the business of legal insurance in compliance with this subchapter.
(2) This section does not by itself enlarge the powers of any corporation given by its articles of incorporation or charter but does authorize a corporation formed under the general business, insurance, or general nonprofit corporation laws of this state, including hospital service corporations, medical service corporations, and hospital and medical service corporations, to include in its power the authority to transact the business of legal insurance.
(c)
(1) Any application shall be in a form prescribed by the commissioner. If the applicant is not domiciled in this state, the application must be accompanied by a power of attorney executed by the applicant appointing an Arkansas resident as its registered agent for service of process, to be filed in writing with the commissioner and his or her successors in office, as the true and lawful attorney of the applicant, in and for this state, upon whom all lawful process in any legal action or proceeding against the applicant, on a cause of action arising in this state, may be served.
(2) On and after January 1, 2003, all foreign and alien insurers licensed under this chapter shall file with the commissioner a designation of an Arkansas resident as an agent for service of legal process, and the commissioner shall maintain a listing in conformity with § 23-63-301 et seq.