Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 83 - INSURANCE (§§ 83-1-1 — 83-NEW-004) › Chapter 17 - INSURANCE AGENTS, SOLICITORS, OR ADJUSTERS (§§ 83-17-1 — 83-17-527) › Article 11 - LICENSING OF PUBLIC ADJUSTERS (§§ 83-17-501 — 83-17-527) › Section 83-17-519 - Grounds for suspension or revocation of license or refusal to renew; notice; hearing; filing new application after revocation of license; funding of agency expenses; deposit of monies into State General Fund

(1)
A license may be refused, or a license duly issued may be suspended or revoked or the renewal thereof refused by the commissioner, or the commissioner may levy a civil penalty in an amount not to exceed Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000.00) per violation, or both, and any such penalty shall be deposited into the special fund of the State Treasury designated as the "Insurance Department Fund," if, after notice and hearing as hereinafter provided, he finds that the applicant for, or holder of, such license:
(a)
Has intentionally made a material misstatement in the application for such license; or
(b)
Has obtained, or attempted to obtain, such license by fraud or misrepresentation; or
(c)
Has misappropriated or converted to his own use or illegally withheld money belonging to another person or entity; or
(d)
Has otherwise demonstrated lack of trustworthiness or competence to act as a public adjuster; or
(e)
Has been guilty of fraudulent or dishonest practices or has been convicted of a felony; or
(f)
Has materially misrepresented the terms and conditions of insurance policies or contracts or failed to identify himself as a public adjuster; or
(g)
Has obtained or attempted to obtain such license for a purpose other than holding himself out to the general public as a public adjuster; or
(h)
Has violated any insurance laws, or any regulation, subpoena or order of the commissioner or of another state's commissioner of insurance.
(2)
Before any license shall be refused (except for failure to pass a required written examination) or suspended or revoked or the renewal thereof refused hereunder, the commissioner shall give notice of his intention so to do, by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicant for or holder of such license, and shall set a date not less than twenty (20) days from the date of mailing such notice when the applicant or licensee may appear to be heard and produce evidence in opposition to such refusal, suspension or revocation. Such notice shall constitute automatic suspension of license if the person involved is a licensed public adjuster. In the conduct of such hearing, the commissioner or any regular salaried employee of the department specially designated by him for such purpose shall have the power to administer oaths, to require the appearance of and examine any person under oath, and to require the production of books, records or papers relevant to the inquiry upon his own initiative or upon the request of the applicant or licensee. Upon the termination of such hearing, findings shall be reduced to writing and, upon approval by the commissioner, shall be filed in his office; and notice of the findings shall be sent by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the applicant or licensee.
(3)
Where the grounds set out in subsection (1)(c) or (1)(f) of this section are the grounds for any hearing, the commissioner may, in his discretion in lieu of the hearing provided for in subsection (2) of this section, file a petition requesting the court to suspend or revoke any license authorized hereunder in a court of competent jurisdiction of the county or district in which the alleged offense occurred. In such cases, subpoenas may be issued for witnesses, and mileage and witness fees paid as in other cases. All costs of such cause shall be paid by the defendant, if the finding of the court be against him.
(4)
No licensee whose license has been revoked hereunder shall be entitled to file another application for a license as a public adjuster within one (1) year from the effective date of such revocation or, if judicial review of such revocation is sought, within one (1) year from the date of final court order or decree affirming such revocation. An application filed after such one-year period shall be refused by the commissioner unless the applicant shows good cause why the revocation of his license shall not be deemed a bar to the issuance of a new license.
(5)
From and after July 1, 2016, the expenses of this agency shall be defrayed by appropriation from the State General Fund and all user charges and fees authorized under this section shall be deposited into the State General Fund as authorized by law.
(6)
From and after July 1, 2016, no state agency shall charge another state agency a fee, assessment, rent or other charge for services or resources received by authority of this section.
Laws, 2007, ch. 497, § 10, eff. 7/1/2007.
Amended by Laws, 2016, ch. 459, SB 2362, 30, eff. 7/1/2016.