EXECUTIVE ORDER NUMBER 41

WHEREAS, in recognition of the monumental challenges in obtaining affordable and comprehensive homeowners insurance for Alabama homeowners and of the impact on the State of Alabama, this office issued an Executive Order on May 24, 2011 creating the Governor’s Affordable Homeowners Insurance Commission (Governor Robert Bentley Executive Order Number 10, Amendment Number One);

WHEREAS, the Alabama Affordable Homeowners Insurance Commission was created for the purpose of studying the various issues arising out of and related to the lack of affordable and comprehensive insurance for Alabama homeowners and to make recommendations which address the issues identified by the Commission;

WHEREAS, the Commission concluded that the families and businesses of Alabama can benefit significantly from the creation of a center that carries out credible, high-quality research, consumer education, and outreach;

WHEREAS, in furtherance of this conclusion, the Alabama Department of Revenue, on behalf of the Office of the Governor, issued a Request for Proposals for an Alabama Center for Insurance Information & Research (the “Center”) on May 16, 2013;

WHEREAS, the overall purpose of the Request for Proposals was to seek comprehensive proposals from Alabama’s education institutions to facilitate, develop, establish, and manage the Center that will provide information and research for use by the various stakeholders, including state and federal agencies, policy makers, insurance companies, elected officials, and the public at large; and

WHEREAS, this project was awarded to the University of Alabama and will be housed in Tuscaloosa.

NOW, THEREFORE, based on these considerations, and for other good and valid purposes related thereto, I, Robert Bentley, Governor of the State of Alabama, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the State of Alabama, do hereby create the Alabama Center for Insurance Information & Research.

BE IT ORDERED, that the Center will be an independent non-profit center of excellence, which supports and promotes activities that strengthen the competitive homeowners insurance market in Alabama for the benefit of a healthy economic environment and service to Alabama consumers.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Center shall be organized as a non-profit organization and governed by an advisory board of directors comprised of a representative from each of the following as approved by the Governor:

•  Governor of Alabama
•  Alabama Department of Insurance
•  Alabama Department of Revenue
•  Alabama Senate Banking and Insurance Committee Chairperson
•  Alabama House Insurance Committee Chairperson
•  Alabama Bankers Association
•  Alabama Mortgage Bankers Association
•  Home Builders Association of Alabama
•  Alabama Smart Homes (Smart Homes America)
•  Consumer Group Organizations and Non-profits
•  Such other individuals or representatives as the Governor may desire

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Executive Director of the Center shall be appointed by the Board and shall be responsible for the administrative functions of the Center.  The Center is further authorized to hire such other employees and/or staff as may be necessary to effectuate its purposes.   The Board shall approve the annual budget for the Center’s operations as proposed by its Executive Director, including the compensation amount for the Executive Director and other staff.

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Board shall adopt bylaws in accordance with Alabama law to govern the Board’s conduct and operations and the conduct and operations of its officers and employees;

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that the Board shall report at least annually to the Governor or otherwise as requested by the Governor;

BE IT FURTHER ORDERED, that this Executive Order shall become effective immediately upon its execution and shall remain in effect until amended or revoked by the Governor.

DONE AND ORDERED this 23rd day of October, 2013.

Robert Bentley

Governor

Attested

Jim Bennett

Secretary of State