This subtitle governs hearings, orders, and appeals in matters arising under this title. Sections 2-210 through 2-215 of this article do not apply to rating and rating organizations. Each order, decision, ruling, or finding of the Commissioner under this title is subject to judicial review under this subtitle. Notwithstanding subsection (a) of this section, an order, decision, ruling, or finding of the Commissioner under § 11-344 of this title: is not subject to judicial review under this subtitle; and is subject to judicial review in accordance with § 2-215 of this article.

Within 30 days after notice of an order or decision of the Commissioner under this title made without a hearing, an insurer or rating organization aggrieved by the order or decision may make a written request to the Commissioner for a hearing on the order or decision. Within 20 days after receipt of a request for a hearing under subsection (a) of this section, the Commissioner shall hold a hearing on the challenged order or decision. The Commissioner shall give written notice of the time and place of the hearing at least 10 days before the hearing. The hearing shall be concluded within 15 days after commencement of the hearing. Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, on application with notice to the interested parties and for good cause shown, the Commissioner may grant up to an additional 15 days for a hearing to be concluded. Within 20 days after the conclusion of a hearing under this section, the Commissioner shall: issue an order that affirms, reverses, or modifies the challenged order or decision; and give a copy of the order to all interested parties. The order shall: state the Commissioner’s reasons for affirming, reversing, or modifying the challenged order or decision; and contain specific findings of fact by the Commissioner in relation to the matter, that are supported by a preponderance of the evidence on consideration of the record as a whole. Any interested party may file proposed findings of fact with the Commissioner. The Commissioner may accept or reject the proposed findings of fact. After a request for a hearing under this section, the Commissioner may suspend or postpone the effective date of the challenged order or decision until the hearing is concluded and the Commissioner issues an order. If the Commissioner fails to hold or conclude the hearing or issue an order within the time required under this section, the filing or application at issue is deemed to meet the requirements of this title and is deemed approved. This subtitle does not require the observance of formal rules of pleading or evidence at any hearing.

An order or decision of the Commissioner under this title is subject to judicial review by appeal to the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Within 30 days after the issuance of an order or decision of the Commissioner, an appeal may be commenced by filing a notice of appeal with the Circuit Court for Baltimore City and a copy of the notice of appeal with the Commissioner. If an appeal is not commenced under paragraph (1) of this subsection, the right to appeal no longer exists. The Commissioner shall be made a party to each appeal under this section. After a copy of the notice of appeal is filed with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall prepare or cause to be prepared an official record. The official record: shall be certified by the Commissioner; shall include a copy of: all proceedings; the findings and order of the Commissioner; and a transcript of any testimony and exhibits or records; and may be in typewritten form. If a hearing was not held by the Commissioner on the matter that is the subject of the appeal, the Commissioner shall prepare and certify a transcript of the files in the office of the Commissioner relating to the matter. Within 30 days after a copy of the notice of appeal is filed with the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall file the official record with the Circuit Court for Baltimore City. Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, the filing of the notice of appeal acts as a stay of a ruling, order, or decision of the Commissioner pending the final determination of the issue if the ruling, order, or decision relates to an increase or decrease of premiums or rate or to a change in a rating system. Paragraph (1) does not apply if the ruling, order, or decision approves or allows a filing of an insurer or rating organization. Within 60 days after the date of the filing of a notice of appeal, the Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall: hear and decide the appeal; and affirm, reverse, or modify the order or decision of the Commissioner from which the appeal is taken. The Circuit Court for Baltimore City shall reverse or modify the order or decision of the Commissioner wholly or partly if the court finds that the order or decision: is not supported by the preponderance of the evidence on consideration of the record as a whole; or is not in accordance with law. An appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland may be taken from the decision of the Circuit Court for Baltimore City as in other civil cases. The Commissioner shall be made a party to each appeal to the Appellate Court of Maryland under paragraph (1) of this subsection.