33-7-217. Annual certificate -- fees. (1) A society may not insure a risk in this state unless it holds a certificate of authority issued to it by the commissioner of insurance.

(2) A society's certificate of authority continues in force as long as the society is entitled to it under this chapter and until suspended, revoked, or otherwise terminated. However, continuance of the certificate by the society is conditioned upon payment before May 15 of each year of a continuation fee of $10. The fee must be deposited by the commissioner of insurance with the state treasurer to the credit of the state general fund.

(3) If a society does not continue its certificate of authority in accordance with subsection (2), its certificate of authority expires at midnight on the May 31 following its failure to continue it in force. In that case, the commissioner shall promptly notify the society of the impending expiration of its certificate of authority.

(4) The commissioner may reinstate a certificate of authority that a society has inadvertently permitted to expire, after the society has fully cured all failures that resulted in the expiration and upon payment by the society of a $25 fee for reinstatement in addition to the continuation fee provided for in subsection (2). If a certificate is not reinstated, the commissioner may grant a society another certificate of authority only after the society files an application for a certificate of authority and meets all other requirements for an original certificate of authority in this state.

(5) The commissioner may amend a certificate of authority at any time to conform to changes in a society's charter of insuring powers.

(6) A certified copy or duplicate of a certificate of authority is prima facie evidence that the society is a fraternal benefit society within the meaning of this chapter.