K.S.A. 40-239

An insurance agent is hereby defined to be an individual, corporation, association, partnership or other legal entity authorized in writing, by any insurance company or health maintenance organization lawfully qualified to transact the business of insurance, suretyship or indemnity in this state or authorized to operate as a health maintenance organization in this state, to negotiate or effect contracts of insurance, suretyship or indemnity on behalf of any such insurance company or health maintenance organization; or any member of a partnership or association, or any stockholder, officer or agent of a corporation, permitted by law to negotiate or effect such contracts, where such partnership, association or corporation holds a direct agency appointment from any insurance company or health maintenance organization. All such agents shall thereby become liable to all the duties, requirements, liabilities and penalties as provided in this code.