1244 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 510

The commissioner may suspend the license of any rating
organization or insurer which fails to comply with an order
of the commissioner within the time limited by such order,
or any extension thereof which the commissioner may grant.
The commissioner shall not suspend the license of any rating
organization or insurer for failure to comply with an order
until the time prescribed for an appeal therefrom has expired
or if an appeal has been taken, until such order has been
affirmed. The commissioner may determine when a suspension
of license shall become effective and it shall remain in effect
for the period fixed by him, unless he modifies or rescinds such
suspension, or until the order upon which such suspension is
based is modified, rescinded or reversed.

No penalty shall be imposed and no license shall be sus-
pended or revoked except upon a written order of the com-
missioner, stating his findings, made after a hearing held
upon not less than ten days' written notice to such person or
organization specifying the alleged violation.

16. HEARING PROCEDURE AND JUDICIAL REVIEW.

(a) Any insurer or rating organization aggrieved by any
order or decision of the commissioner made without a hearing,
may, within thirty days after notice of the order to the in-
surer or organization, make written request to the commis-
sioner for a hearing thereon. The commissioner shall hear
such party or parties within twenty days after receipt of such
request and shall give not less than ten days' written notice
of the time and place of the hearing. Within fifteen days
after such hearing the commissioner shall affirm, reverse or
modify his previous action, specifying his reasons therefor.
Pending such hearing and decision thereon the commissioner
may suspend or postpone the effective date of his previous
action.

(b) Nothing contained in this Act shall require the observ-
ance at any hearing of formal rules of pleading or evidence.

(c) Any order or decision of the commissioner shall be
subject to review at the instance of any party in interest, in
accordance with the right of appeal as prescribed in Section
221 of Article 48A of the Annotated Code of Maryland (1939
Edition).

The court shall determine whether the filing of the appeal
shall operate as a stay of any such order or decision of the
commissioner. The court may, in disposing of the issue before
it, modify, affirm or reverse the order or decision of the com-
missioner in whole or in part.