§33-60-1. Definitions.
For the purposes of this article, unless the context otherwise indicates:
“Applicant” means a person or entity that has filed an application under §33-60-2 of this code.
“Beta test” means the phase of testing of an insurance innovation in the regulatory sandbox through the use, sale, license, or availability of the insurance innovation by or to clients or consumers under the supervision of the commissioner.
“Client” means a person, other than a consumer, utilizing a participant’s insurance innovation during a beta test to carry on some activity regulated by the commissioner.
“Commissioner” means the West Virginia Insurance Commissioner or the West Virginia Offices of the Insurance Commissioner, as appropriate.
“Extended no-action letter” means a public notice setting forth the conditions for an extended safe harbor beyond the beta test under which the commissioner will not take any administrative or regulatory action against any person using the insurance innovation described in the extended no-action letter.
“Innovation” means any product, process, method, or procedure relating to the sale, solicitation, negotiation, fulfilment, administration, or use of any product or service regulated by the commissioner:
(A) That has not been used, sold, licensed, or otherwise made available in this state before the filing date of the application, whether or not the product or service is marketed or sold directly to consumers; and
(B) That has regulatory and statutory barriers that prevent its use, sale, license, or availability within this state.
“Innovation’s utility” means an evaluation by the commissioner of the insurance innovation’s ability to adequately satisfy factors set forth in §33-60-2(a)(2)(A) of this code.
“Limited no-action letter” or “limited letter” means a letter setting forth the conditions of a beta test and establishing a safe harbor under which the commissioner will not take any administrative or regulatory action against a participant or client of the participant concerning the compliance of the insurance innovation with West Virginia law so long as the participant or client abides by the terms and conditions established in the limited no-action letter.
“Participant” means an applicant that has been issued a limited no-action letter under §33-60-4 of this code.
“Person” means a person or entity.
“Qualified United States financial institution” means an institution that:
(A) Is organized or, in the case of a United States office of a foreign banking organization, licensed under the laws of the United States or any state thereof;
(B) Is regulated, supervised, and examined by federal or state authorities having regulatory authority over banks and trust companies; and
(C) Has been determined by either the commissioner or the Securities Valuation Office of the National Association of Insurance Commissioners to meet such standards of financial condition and standing as are considered necessary and appropriate to regulate the quality of financial institutions whose letters of credit will be acceptable to the commissioner.
“Regulatory sandbox” means the process established under this article by which an applicant may apply to beta test and obtain a limited no-action letter for an innovation, potentially resulting in the issuance of an extended no-action letter.
