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<chapter num="03" heading="Hearings Arising from Cancellation, Nonrenewal, Increase in   Premium, or Reduction of Coverage under a Motor Vehicle Liability Insurance Policy" title_num="31" subtitle_num="02">
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".01" heading="Scope.">
    <text>This chapter applies only to hearings arising from the cancellation, nonrenewal,  reduction of coverage, or increase in premium that is not consistent with the insurer's surcharge plan under a motor vehicle liability insurance policy as provided in Insurance Article, §27-605, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".02" heading="Delegation of Authority.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>In hearings arising under this chapter, subject to Regulation .03 of this chapter, the Commissioner may delegate to the Office of Administrative Hearings the authority to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Conduct hearings;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Issue final findings of fact and conclusions of law; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Issue final orders.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Hearings arising under this chapter and heard by the Office of Administrative Hearings shall be governed by COMAR 28.02.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="C.">
      <text>Hearings arising under this chapter and heard by the Maryland Insurance Administration shall be governed by COMAR 31.02.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".03" heading="Revocation of Delegation of Authority.">
    <paragraph num="A.">
      <text>The Commissioner may revoke all or part of a delegation of authority to the Office of Administrative Hearings to preside over a hearing if the case:</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>Involves novel or unanticipated factual or legal issues;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Has significant social, fiscal, or legal issues;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>Involves policy issues of general applicability; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Requires further investigation.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="B.">
      <text>Procedures for Revocation.</text>
      <paragraph num="(1)">
        <text>The Commissioner shall provide written notice of a revocation of hearing authority to all parties and the Office of Administrative Hearings. The written notice shall contain a brief statement of the reason for the revocation.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(2)">
        <text>Delegation of authority to hear a contested case may be revoked at any time before the earlier of the:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Issuance of a ruling by the administrative law judge on a substantive issue; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Taking of oral testimony from the first witness.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(3)">
        <text>The Commissioner shall specify whether all or part of the delegation to hear a contested case has been revoked. If only part of the delegation has been revoked, the Commissioner shall specify in the written notice of revocation the portions of the contested case for which the delegation has been revoked.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(4)">
        <text>Upon the revocation of the delegation, the Commissioner shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(a)">
          <text>Refer the case for further investigation;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(b)">
          <text>Set the case for a hearing with the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee acting as the hearing officer; or</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(c)">
          <text>Dismiss the case.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </regulation>
  <annotations>
    <annotation type="Authority">Insurance Article, §§2-109, 2-210—2-215, and 27-605; State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2; Annotated Code of Maryland</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Effective date: June 2, 1997 (24:11 Md. R. 793)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Regulation .01 amended as an emergency provision effective October 1, 1997 (24:22 Md. R. 1550); amended permanently effective March 23, 1998 (25:6 Md. R. 487)</annotation>
    <annotation type="History" subtype="Administrative History">Chapter recodified from COMAR 09.31.20 to COMAR 31.02.03 effective September 7, 1998 (25:18 Md. R. 1439)</annotation>
  </annotations>
</chapter>