Imposition of tax; exceptions

A. There is hereby levied an annual tax on each admitted insurer engaged in the business of issuing insurance policies, contracts, or obligations; issuing endowment policies; or similar forms of contract obligations in consideration of the payment of a premium or other consideration for the issuance of such policies, contracts, or obligations, whether such insurer be operating in this state through an agent, other representative, or otherwise. Such tax shall be fixed and graded according to the rates and classifications set forth in this Part and shall be based on the gross amount of annual premiums on all risks, except annuity contracts, located in this state and, in the case of insurance and endowment policies, contracts, or obligations, upon the gross amount of annual premiums on such policies issued to persons located in Louisiana, without deduction for dividends paid or credited to policyholders. B. The life insurance programs administered by the Office of Group Benefits as authorized and provided for pursuant to the provisions of Part II of Chapter 12 of Title 42 of the Louisiana Revised Statutes of 1950, R.S. 42:821 et seq., shall be exempt and excepted from the payment of the annual tax levied by the provisions of this Section.