Texas § IN.443.154 - POWERS OF LIQUIDATOR

§ IN.443.154. POWERS OF LIQUIDATOR

POWERS OF LIQUIDATOR. (a) The liquidator may appoint a special deputy or deputies to act for the liquidator under this chapter and employ or contract with legal counsel, actuaries, accountants, appraisers, consultants, clerks, assistants, and other personnel the liquidator may deem necessary to assist in the liquidation. A special deputy has all powers of the liquidator granted by this section, unless specifically limited by the liquidator, and serves at the pleasure of the liquidator. A special deputy or any other person with whom the liquidator contracts under this subsection may act on behalf of the commissioner only in the commissioner's capacity as liquidator. Any person with whom the liquidator contracts is not considered to be an agent of the state and any contract under this subsection is not a contract with the state. The provisions of any law governing the procurement of goods and services by the state do not apply to any contract entered into by the commissioner as liquidator. This subsection does not waive any immunity granted by Section 443.014 or create any cause of action against the state. (b) The liquidator may determine the reasonable compensation for any special deputies, employees, or contractors retained by the liquidator as provided in Subsection (a) and pay compensation in accordance with Section 443.015. (c) The liquidator may appoint, with the approval of the receivership court, an advisory committee of policyholders, claimants, or other creditors, including guaranty associations, if the committee be deemed necessary. The advisory committee serves at the pleasure of the liquidator, and the decision to appoint an advisory committee is at the sole discretion of the liquidator. The advisory committee serves without compensation or reimbursement for expenses. The liquidator or the receivership court in liquidation proceedings conducted under this chapter may not appoint another committee of any nature. (d) The liquidator may hold hearings, subpoena witnesses to compel their attendance, administer oaths, examine any person under oath, compel any persons to subscribe to their testimony after it has been correctly reduced to writing, and, in connection with a power under this subsection, require the production of any books, papers, records, or other documents that the liquidator deems relevant to the inquiry. (e) The liquidator may audit the books and records of all agents of the insurer to the extent that those books and records relate to the business activities of the insurer. (f) The liquidator may collect all debts and moneys due and claims belonging to the insurer, wherever located, and may: (1) institute action in other jurisdictions, in order to forestall garnishment and attachment proceedings against the debts; (2) do other acts as necessary or expedient to collect, conserve, or protect the insurer's property, including the power to sell, compromise, or assign debts for purposes of collection upon such terms and conditions as the liquidator deems consistent with this chapter; and (3) pursue any creditor's remedies available to enforce the insurer's claims. (g) The liquidator may conduct public and private sales of the property of the insurer. (h) The liquidator may use property of the estate of an insurer under a liquidation order to transfer to a solvent assuming insurer policy obligations or the insurer's obligations under surety bonds and surety undertakings as well as collateral held by the insurer with respect to the reimbursement obligations of the principals under those surety bonds and surety undertakings, if the transfer can be arranged without prejudice to applicable priorities under