1248 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 511

provided, that nothing contained in this Act shall be con-
strued as requiring any insurer to become a member of or a
subscriber to any rating organization.

(c) The commissioner shall review filings as soon as reason-
ably possible after they have been made in order to determine
whether they meet the requirements of this Act.

(d) Subject to the exception specified in Section (e) of
this sub-section, each filing shall be on file for a waiting period
of fifteen days before it becomes effective, which period may
be extended by the commissioner for an additional period not
to exceed fifteen days if he gives written notice within such
waiting period to the insurer or rating organization which
made the filing that he needs such additional time for the
consideration of such filing. Upon written application by
such insurer or rating organization the commissioner may
authorize a filing which he has reviewed to become effective
before the expiration of the waiting period or any extension
thereof. A filing shall be deemed to meet the requirements
of this Act unless disapproved by the commissioner within the
waiting period or any extension thereof.

(e) Any special filing with respect to a surety or guaranty
bond required by law or by court or executive order or by
order, rule or regulation of a public body, not covered by a
previous filing shall become effective when filed and shall be
deemed to meet the requirements of this Act until such time
as the commissioner reviews the filings and so long thereafter
as the filing remains in effect.

(f) Under such rules and regulations as he shall adopt the
commissioner may, by written order, suspend or modify the
requirement of filing as to any kind of insurance, subdivision
or combination thereof, or as to classes of risks, the rates for
which cannot practicably be filed before they are used. Such
orders, rules and regulations shall be made known to insurers,
and rating organizations affected thereby. The commissioner
may make such examination as he may deem advisable to ascer-
tain whether any rates affected by such order meet the stand-
ards set forth in subdivision 4 of paragraph (a) of Sub-sec-
tion. 3.

(g) Upon the written application of the insured, stating his
reasons therefor, filed with and approved by the commissioner,
a rate in excess of that provided by a filing otherwise applica-
ble may be used on any specific risk.

(h) Beginning with the effective date of this Act no insurer
shall make or issue a contract or policy except in accordance
with the filings which are in effect for said insurer as provided