A. Except as provided in Subsection B of this section, every society authorized to transact business in New Mexico shall pay to the superintendent the following fees:

(1)     for annual certificate of authority continuation    $100.00; (2)     for filing annual statement 100.00;

(3)     for each license of agent or annual continuation thereof         30.00; (4)     for annual continuation of appointment 20.00;

and (5)     for each signature of the superintendent affixed to any instrument    10.00. B. Every society which:

(1)     issues certificates providing benefits strictly in accordance with the provisions of N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 59A, Article 44;

(2)     limits its membership to members of one religious faith or to persons engaged in one or more hazardous occupations in the same or similar lines of business;

(3)     does not employ paid solicitors or salesmen either on salary, commission or fee basis for procuring new insurance or members; and

(4)     does not solicit insurance applications from the general public, but limits such solicitation to members in good standing in such society; shall be exempt from the fees specified in Subsection A of this section and in lieu thereof shall pay to the superintendent fees as follows:

(a) for annual license to transact business $50.00; (b) for filing annual statement 50.00;

and (c) for each seal and signature of the superintendent affixed to any instrument 10.00.

C. Failure to pay any fees imposed under N.M. Stat. Ann. Chapter 59A, Article 44 shall render the society liable to this state for the amount thereof and to the applicable penalties provided by Section 59A-6-4 N.M. Stat. Ann. as though such a society were an insurer.