612.23 Conversion of town mutuals into mutual insurance corporations. One or more town mutuals may be converted into a single mutual insurance corporation under ch. 611, as follows:
(1) Conversion plan. The board of each participating town mutual shall adopt the same plan of conversion by resolution stating:
(a) The reasons for and the purposes of the proposed action;
(b) The proposed terms, conditions and procedures for and estimated expenses of implementing the conversion;
(c) The proposed name of the corporation; and
(d) The proposed articles and bylaws.
(2) Approval by commissioner. The town mutuals shall file with the commissioner for approval the plan together with so much of the information under s. 611.13 (2) as the commissioner reasonably requires. The commissioner shall approve the plan unless the commissioner finds, after a hearing, that it would be contrary to the law, that the new mutual would not satisfy the requirements for a certificate of authority under s. 611.20 or that the plan would be contrary to the interests of insureds or of the public.
(3) Approval by members. After being approved by the commissioner, the plan shall be submitted to the members of each town mutual for their approval.
(4) Election of directors. A plan of conversion shall contain a provision for prompt election of directors if the plan goes into effect. If the plan is approved by the members of each town mutual, directors shall be elected promptly.
(5) Reports to commissioner. Each town mutual shall file with the commissioner a copy of the resolution adopted under sub. (3), stating the number of members entitled to vote, the number of members voting and the number of votes cast in favor of the plan, stating separately in each case the mail votes and the votes cast in person. Any election of directors under sub. (4) shall also be reported to the commissioner.
(6) Certificate of authority. If the requirements of the law are met, the commissioner shall issue a certificate of authority to the new mutual. Thereupon the nonsurviving town mutuals shall cease their legal existence, the corporate existence of any new mutual shall begin, and the directors elected under sub. (4) shall take office. The new mutual shall have all the assets and be liable for all of the obligations of each of the participating town mutuals. The commissioner may grant a period not exceeding one year for adjustment to the requirements of ch. 611, specifying the extent to which particular provisions of ch. 611 shall not apply.
History: 1973 c. 22; 1979 c. 102.