Application for a certificate of authority to operate a pool shall be made to the commissioner of insurance not less than 60 days prior to the proposed inception date of the pool. The application shall include the following:

(a) A copy of the bylaws of the proposed pool, a copy of the articles of incorporation, if any, and a copy of all agreements and rules of the proposed pool. If any of the bylaws, articles of incorporation, agreements or rules are changed, the pool shall notify the commissioner within 30 days after such change.

(b) Designation of the initial board of trustees and administrator. When there is a change in the membership of the board of trustees or change of administrator, the pool shall notify the commissioner within 30 days after such change.

(c) The address where the books and records of the pool will be maintained at all times. If this address is changed, the pool shall notify the commissioner within 30 days after such change.

(d) Evidence that the annual Kansas gross premium of the pool will be not less than $250,000 for each of the categories described in subparagraphs (1) through (4) of this subsection: (1) All property insurance under article 9 of chapter 40 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated except motor vehicle physical damage; (2) motor vehicle liability and physical damage insurance; (3) workers’ compensation and employers’ liability insurance; (4) all casualty insurance under article 11 of chapter 40 of the Kansas Statutes Annotated except insurance under categories (2) and (3) above; (5) group sickness and accident insurance if at the date of issue the annual gross premium for such coverage will be not less than $1,000,000; and (6) group life insurance if at the date of issue the coverage will insure at least 60% of the eligible participants or the total number of persons covered will exceed 600. The pool shall notify the commissioner within 30 days if the minimum premium qualification or participation requirement is less than that specified in this subsection for any of the above categories of insurance.

(e) An agreement binding the group and each member thereof to comply with the provisions of the workers compensation act if such coverage is to be provided by the pool. For all lines of coverage, all members of the pool shall be jointly liable for the payment of claims to the extent of the assets of the pool.

(f) A copy of the procedures adopted by the pool to provide services with respect to underwriting matters and, with respect to the categories identified in subsection (d)(1) through (4), safety engineering.

(g) A copy of the procedures adopted by the pool to provide claims adjusting and accumulation of income and expense and loss data.

(h) A confirmation that specific and aggregate excess insurance provided by an insurance company holding a Kansas certificate of authority or reinsurance approved by the commissioner is or will be in effect concurrent with the assumption of risk by the pool, as selected by the board of trustees of the pool, or adequate surplus funds as approved by the commissioner, in the pool. The pool shall notify the commissioner within 30 days of any change in the specific or aggregate excess insurance or reinsurance carried by the pool. For the purposes hereof, “surplus funds” shall mean retained earnings of the pool after reserves have been established for all known and incurred but not reported losses of the pool and after all other liabilities of the pool, including unearned premium reserves, have been deducted from total assets. The term “adequate surplus funds” shall mean the amount necessary for the pool to fund its self-insured obligations.

(i) After evaluating the application the commissioner shall notify the applicant if the plan submitted is inadequate, fully explaining to the applicant what additional requirements must be met. If the application is denied, the applicant shall have 10 days to make an application for hearing by the commissioner after the denial notice is received. A record shall be made of such hearing, and the cost thereof shall be assessed against the applicant requesting the hearing.

(j) Any other relevant factors the commissioner may deem necessary.