(a) The commissioner may by regulation or order declare a credit rating agency to be an eligible securities rating service if the commissioner finds the following with respect to the securities rating service:
(1) It has been continuously engaged in the business of rating securities for a period of not less than three years.
(2) It is competent to rate securities and is nationally recognized for rating securities in a competent manner.
(3) It publishes its ratings of securities on a nationwide basis.
(b) With respect to this division “eligible securities rating service” means any credit rating agency that the commissioner by regulation or order declared to be an eligible securities ratings service.
(Amended by Stats. 2014, Ch. 499, Sec. 11. (AB 2209) Effective January 1, 2015.)