230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-20-45-4.10

Current through November 7, 2024

Section 230-RICR-20-45-4.10 - Special Provisions Applicable to Election Contests

A. Applicability. This section shall apply to any solicitation subject to this Part by any person or group for the purpose of opposing a solicitation subject to this Part by any other person or group with respect to the election or removal of directors at any annual or special meeting of stockholders.

B. Participant or Participant in a Solicitation

1. For purposes of this section the terms "participant" and "participant in a solicitation" include:

a. The insurer;

b. Any director of the insurer, and any nominee for whose election as a director proxies are solicited;

c. Any other person, acting alone or with one or more other persons, committees or groups, in organizing, directing or financing the solicitation.

2. For the purposes of this section the terms "participant" and "participant in a solicitation" do not include:

a. A bank, broker or dealer who, in the ordinary course of business, lends money or executes orders for the purchase or sale of stock and who is not otherwise a participant;

b. Any person or organization retained or employed by a participant to solicit stockholders or any person who merely transmits proxy soliciting material or performs ministerial or clerical duties;

c. Any person employed in the capacity of attorney, accountant, or advertising, public relations or financial adviser, and whose activities are limited to the performance of his duties in the course of such employment;

d. Any person regularly employed as an officer or employee of the insurer or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates who is not otherwise a participant; or

e. Any officer or director of, or any person regularly employed by any other participant, if such officer, director, or employee is not otherwise a participant.

C. Filing of Information Required by § 4.12 of this Part.

1. No solicitation subject to this section shall be made by any person other than the management of an insurer unless at least five business days prior thereto, or such shorter period as the Department may authorize upon a showing of good cause, there has been filed, with the Department, by or on behalf of each participant in such solicitation, a statement in duplicate containing the information specified by § 4.12 of this Part and a copy of any material proposed to be distributed to stockholders in furtherance of such solicitation. Where preliminary copies of any materials are filed, distribution to stockholders should be deferred until the Commissioner's comments have been received and complied with.

2. Within five (5) business days after a solicitation subject to this section is made by the management of an insurer, or such longer period as the Department may authorize upon a showing of good cause, there shall be filed with the Department by or on behalf of each participant in such solicitation, other than the insurer, and by or on behalf of each management nominee for director, a statement in duplicate containing the information specified by § 4.12 of this Part.

3. If any solicitation on behalf of management or any other person has been made, or if proxy material is ready for distribution, prior to a solicitation subject to this section in opposition thereto, a statement in duplicate containing the information specified in § 4.12 of this Part, shall be filed with the Department, by or on behalf of each participant in such prior solicitation, other than the insurer, as soon as reasonable practicable after the commencement of the solicitation in opposition thereto.

4. If, subsequent to the filing of the statements required by § 4.10(C)(1), (2) and (3) of this Part above, additional persons become participants in a solicitation subject to this rule, there shall be filed with the Department, by or on behalf of each such person, a statement in duplicate containing the information specified by § 4.12 of this Part, within three (3) business days after such person becomes a participant, or such longer period as the Department may authorize upon a showing of good cause therefor.

5. If any material change occurs in the facts reported in any statement filed by or on behalf of any participant, an appropriate amendment to such statement shall be filed promptly with the Department.

6. Each statement and amendment thereto filed pursuant to this paragraph shall be part of the public files of the Department.

D. Solicitations Prior to Furnishing Required Written Proxy Statement. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4.5(A) of this Part, a solicitation subject to this section may be made prior to furnishing stockholders a written proxy statement containing the information specified in § 4.11 of this Part, with respect to such solicitation, provided that

1. The statements required by § 4.10(C) of this Part are filed by or on behalf of each participant in such solicitation.

2. No form of proxy is furnished to stockholders prior to the time the written proxy statement required by § 4.5(A) of this Part is furnished to such persons: Provided, However, that this paragraph shall not apply where a proxy statement then meeting the requirements of § 4.11 of this Part has been furnished to stockholders.

3. At least the information specified in § 4.10(C)(2) & (3) of this Part to be filed by each participant, or an appropriate summary thereof, are included in each communication sent or given to stockholders in connection with the solicitation.

4. A written proxy statement containing the information specified in §14.11 of this Part, with respect to a solicitation is sent or given stockholders at the earliest practicable date.

E. Solicitations Prior to Furnishing Required Written Proxy Statement - Filing Requirements. Two (2) copies of any soliciting materials proposed to be sent or given to stockholders prior to the furnishing of the written proxy statement required by § 4.5(A) of this Part shall be filed with the Department in preliminary form at least five (5) business days prior to the date definitive copies of such material are first sent or given to such persons, or shorter period as the Department, may authorize upon a showing of good cause thereof.

F. Application of this Section to Report. Notwithstanding the provisions of § 4.5(B) & (C) of this Part, a copy of any portion of the report referred to in § 4.5(B) of this Part which comments upon or refers to any solicitation subject to this section, or to any participant in any such solicitation, other than the solicitation by the management, shall be filed with the, Department as proxy material subject to this Part. Such portion of the report shall be filed with the Department, in preliminary form, at least five (5) business days prior to the date copies of the report are first sent or given to stockholders.

230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-20-45-4.10