(1)(a) The purpose of this section is to provide standards for the sale of bonds pursuant to s. 627.351(2) and (6). (b) The term “corporation,” as used in this section, means the Citizens Property Insurance Corporation.
(2) The plan of operation of the corporation shall provide for the selection of financial services providers and underwriters. Such provisions shall include the method for publicizing or otherwise providing reasonable notice to potential financial services providers, underwriters, and other interested parties, which may include expedited procedures and methods for emergency situations. The corporation shall not engage the services of any person or firm as a securities broker or bond underwriter that is not eligible to be engaged by the state under the provisions of s. 215.684. The corporation shall make all selections of financial service providers and managing underwriters at a noticed public meeting. (3) The plan of operation of the corporation shall provide for any managing underwriter or financial adviser to provide to the corporation a disclosure statement containing at least the following information:(a) An itemized list setting forth the nature and estimated amounts of expenses to be incurred by the managing underwriter in connection with the issuance of such bonds. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any such list may include an item for miscellaneous expenses, provided such item includes only minor items of expense which cannot be easily categorized elsewhere in the statement.
(b) The names, addresses, and estimated amounts of compensation of any finders connected with the issuance of the bonds.
(c) The amount of underwriting spread expected to be realized and the amount of fees and expenses expected to be paid to the financial adviser.
(d) Any management fee charged by the managing underwriter.
(e) Any other fee, bonus, or compensation estimated to be paid by the managing underwriter in connection with the bond issue to any person not regularly employed or retained by it.
(f) The name and address of each financial adviser or managing underwriter, if any, connected with the bond issue.
(g) Any other disclosure which the corporation may require.
(4)(a) No underwriter, commercial bank, investment banker, or financial consultant or adviser shall pay any finder any bonus, fee, or gratuity in connection with the sale of bonds issued by the corporation unless full disclosure is made in writing to the corporation prior to or concurrently with the submission of a purchase proposal for bonds by the underwriter, commercial bank, investment banker, or financial consultant or adviser, providing the name and address of any finder and the amount of bonus, fee, or gratuity paid to such finder. A violation of this subsection shall not affect the validity of the bond issue.
(b) As used in this subsection, the term “finder” means a person who is neither regularly employed by, nor a partner or officer of, an underwriter, bank, banker, or financial consultant or adviser and who enters into an understanding with either the issuer or the managing underwriter, or both, for any paid or promised compensation or valuable consideration, directly or indirectly, expressed or implied, to act solely as an intermediary between such issuer and managing underwriter for the purpose of influencing any transaction in the purpose of such bonds.
(5) This section is not intended to restrict or prohibit the employment of professional services relating to bonds issued under s. 627.351(6) or the issuance of bonds by the corporation. (6) The failure of the corporation to comply with one or more provisions of this section shall not affect the validity of the bond issue; however, the failure of the corporation to comply in good faith both with this section and with the plan as amended shall be a violation of its plan of operation and a violation of the insurance code.
