1856 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 757

26'2. (Power of Commissioner.) The Commissioner shall
have power to examine and investigate into the affairs of
every person engaged in the business of insurance in this
State in order to determine whether such person has been
or is engaged in any unfair method of competition or in any
unfair or deceptive act or practice prohibited by Section
260 of this Act.

263. (Hearings, Witnesses, Appearances, Production of
Books and Service of Process.) (a) Whenever the Commis-
sioner shall have reason to believe that any such person
has been engaged or is engaging in this State in any unfair
method of competition or any unfair or deceptive act or
practice defined in Section 261, and that a proceeding by
him in respect thereto would be to the interest of the public,
he shall issue and serve upon such person a statement of
the charges in that respect and a notice of a hearing thereon
to be held at a time and place fixed in the notice, which shall
not be less than twenty (20) days after the date of the serv-
ice thereof.

(b) At the time and place fixed for such hearing, such
person shall have an opportunity to be heard and to show
cause why an order should not be made by the Commissioner
requiring such person to cease and desist from the acts,
methods or practices so complained of. Upon good cause
shown, the Commissioner shall permit any person to inter-
vene, appear and be heard at such hearing by counsel or in
person.

(c) Nothing contained in this Act shall require the ob-
servance at any such hearing of formal rules of pleading or
evidence.

(d) The Commissioner, upon such hearing, may administer
oaths, examine and cross-examine witnesses, receive oral and
documentary evidence, and shall have the power to subpoena
witnesses, compel their attendance, and require the produc-
tion of books, papers, records, correspondence, or other docu-
ments which he deems relevant to the inquiry. The Commis-
sioner, upon such hearing, may, and upon the request of any
party shall, cause to be made a stenographic record of all
the evidence and all the proceedings had at such hearing.
If no stenographic record is made and if a judicial review
is sought, the Commissioner shall prepare a statement of
the evidence and proceeding for use on review. In case of
a refusal of any person to comply with any subpoena issued
hereunder or to testify with respect to any matter concern-
ing which he may be lawfully interrogated, the Circuit Court