Premium contributions, determination, deposit and use; refunds

(a) With respect to the categories of coverage described in subparagraphs (d)(1) through (4) of K.S.A. 12-2618, and amendments thereto, premium contributions to the pool shall be based upon appropriate manual classification and rates, plus or minus applicable experience credits or debits, and minus any advance discount approved by the trustees, not to exceed 25% of manual premium. The pool shall use rules, classifications and rates as promulgated by an approved rating organization for workers compensation if the pool has been in operation for less than five years. Such rates shall be the prospective loss costs, as authorized in K.S.A. 40-955, and amendments thereto, plus expenses necessary to administer the pool. For purposes of subsection (b), the prospective loss costs shall be presumed to be the 70% required to be deposited in the claims fund. If the pool has been in operation for more than five years, the board of trustees may determine such rates and discounts as approved by the commissioner. Premium contributions to the pool for all other lines of insurance shall be based on rates filed by a licensed rating organization or on rates of certain companies filing rates with the commissioner and approved by the commissioner for the pool. In lieu of the foregoing, the board of trustees may determine such classification, rates and discounts as approved by the commissioner. Premium contributions to any pool providing life insurance or any pool providing group sickness and accident insurance as described in K.S.A. 12-2617, and amendments thereto, shall be based on sound actuarial principles. (b) An amount equal to at least 70% of the annual premium shall be maintained in a designated depository for the purpose of paying claims in a claims fund account. If so approved by the commissioner of insurance, the annual premium to be designated to such depository may be determined to be the net amount of premium after all or a portion of the specific and aggregate excess insurance premium costs have been paid. This shall be called the claims fund account. If the pool has been in operation for more than five years the commissioner may authorize allocation of a different amount to the claims fund account, if solvency of the pool would not be endangered. The remaining annual premium shall be placed into a designated depository for the payment of taxes, fees and administrative and other operational costs in an administrative fund account. (c) Any moneys for a fund year in excess of the amount necessary to fulfill all obligations of the pool for that fund year, including any obligation to retain adequate surplus funds, as defined by subsection (h) of K.S.A. 12-2618, and amendments thereto, in lieu of specific and aggregate excess insurance, may be declared to be refundable by the trustees not less than 12 months after the end of the fund year. Any such refund shall be paid only to those members who remained participants in the pool for an entire year. Payment of previously earned refunds shall not be contingent on continued membership in the pool.