(a) The rehabilitator may appoint one or more special deputies. A special deputy serves at the pleasure of the rehabilitator and has all the powers and responsibilities of the rehabilitator granted under this section, unless specifically limited by the rehabilitator. The rehabilitator may employ or contract with legal counsel, actuaries, accountants, appraisers, consultants, clerks, assistants, and other personnel as may be deemed necessary. Any special deputy or any other person with whom the rehabilitator contracts under this subsection may act on behalf of the commissioner only in the commissioner’s capacity as rehabilitator. Any person with whom the rehabilitator contracts under this subsection is not considered an agent of the state, and any contract entered into under this subsection does not constitute a contract with the state. The provisions of any law governing the procurement of goods and services by the state does not apply to any contract entered into by the commissioner as rehabilitator. The compensation of any special deputies, employees, and contractors and all expenses of taking possession of the insurer and of conducting the rehabilitation shall be fixed by the rehabilitator, with the approval of the receivership court in accordance with Section 443.015, and shall be paid out of the property of the insurer. The persons appointed under this subsection serve at the pleasure of the rehabilitator. If the rehabilitator deems it necessary to the proper performance of the rehabilitator’s duties under this chapter, the rehabilitator may appoint an advisory committee of policyholders, claimants, or other creditors, including guaranty associations. The advisory committee serves at the pleasure of the rehabilitator and without compensation or reimbursement for expenses. The rehabilitator or the receivership court in rehabilitation proceedings conducted under this chapter may not appoint another committee of any nature.
(b) The rehabilitator may take action as the rehabilitator deems necessary or appropriate to reform and revitalize the insurer, including canceling policies, insurance and reinsurance contracts other than life or health insurance or annuities, or surety bonds or surety undertakings or transferring policies, insurance and reinsurance contracts, or surety bonds or surety undertakings to a solvent assuming insurer, with court approval. The rehabilitator has all the powers of the directors, officers, and managers of the insurer, whose authority is suspended, except as redelegated by the rehabilitator. The rehabilitator has full power to direct and manage, hire and discharge employees, and deal with the property and business of the insurer.

(c) If it appears to the rehabilitator that there has been criminal or tortious conduct or breach of any contractual or fiduciary obligation detrimental to the insurer by any officer, manager, agent, broker, employee, affiliate or other person, the rehabilitator may pursue all appropriate legal remedies on behalf of the insurer.
(d) The rehabilitator may assert all defenses available to the insurer as against third persons, including statutes of limitations, statutes of frauds, and the defense of usury. A waiver of any defense by the insurer after a petition under this chapter has been filed does not bind the rehabilitator.
(e) The enumeration, in this section, of the powers and authority of the rehabilitator may not be construed as a limitation upon the rehabilitator, nor shall it exclude in any manner the right to do other acts not specifically enumerated or otherwise provided for, as may be necessary or appropriate for the accomplishment of or in aid of the purpose of rehabilitation.
(f) The rehabilitator may exercise all powers:
(1) possessed on August 31, 2005, by a receiver appointed for the purpose of rehabilitating an insurer; or
(2) conferred on a rehabilitator after that date by the laws of this state that are not inconsistent with this chapter.