§23-2C-16. Administration of Old Fund, Uninsured Employer Fund, Self-Insured Employer Guaranty Risk Pool, Self-Insured Employer Security Risk Pool, and Private Carrier Guaranty Fund.

(a) The Insurance Commissioner shall review claims determined to be payable from the Old Fund, Uninsured Employer Fund, Self-Insured Employer Guaranty Risk Pool, Self-Insured Employer Security Risk Pool, and Private Carrier Guaranty Fund and may contest the determination pursuant to the provisions of §23-5-1 et seq. of this code. The Insurance Commissioner may retain a third-party administrator for said funds. The administrative duties may include, receipt of all claims, processing said claims, providing for the payment of said claims through the State Treasurer’s office or other applicable state agency, and ensuring, through the selection and assignment of counsel, that claims decisions are properly defended.

(b) The Insurance Commissioner may conduct or cause to be conducted an annual audit to be performed on said funds.

(c) The Insurance Commissioner may contract or employ counsel to perform legal services related solely to the collection of moneys due the Old Fund, including the collection of moneys due the Old Fund and enforcement of repayment agreements entered into for the collection of moneys due on or before June 30, 2005, in any administrative proceeding and in any state or federal court.

(d) During the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2019, July 1, 2020, July 1, 2021, July 1, 2022, and July 1, 2023, the Insurance Commissioner may, in his or her discretion, transfer special revenue moneys contained in the Insurance Commission Fund to the Old Fund in any fiscal year in which the Insurance Commissioner has determined, and an independent Auditor has attested thereto, that a deficit balance existed in the Old Fund for the prior fiscal year.