A license must be issued to each fraternal benefit society that qualifies under this chapter. The license continues in full force and effect until suspended or revoked by the superintendent. Upon issuance of the license and annually thereafter the society shall pay the superintendent a fee that is the same as for an insurer as provided in section 601. A duly certified copy or duplicate of such license is prima facie evidence that the licensee is a fraternal benefit society within the meaning of this chapter. On or before July 1st of each year, the superintendent shall forward to each fraternal benefit society an itemized bill of the amount due for the filing of the annual statement and the amount due for the certificate of authority annual fee.   [PL 1997, c. 592, §68 (AMD).]