The director shall have the authority to issue a license to act as a health care service plan to a CO-OP that has been organized as a nonprofit member organization or nonprofit member corporation under the laws of this state. The director may also issue a license to act as a health care service plan to a foreign CO-OP that has been organized as a nonprofit member organization or nonprofit member corporation under the laws of another state, provided that the entity meets the requirements governing CO-OPs under PPACA and this article. A CO-OP seeking or maintaining a license pursuant to this article shall be subject to the same fees that are imposed on other health care service plans pursuant to Article 3 (commencing with Section
1349).