1254 LAWS OF MARYLAND. [CH. 511

which such rating system has been applied in connection with
the insurance afforded him. If the rating organization or
insurer fails to grant or reject such request within thirty days
after it is made, the applicant may proceed in the same
manner as if his application had been rejected. Any party
affected by the action of such rating organization or such
insurer on such request may, within thirty days after written
notice of such action, appeal to the commissioner, who, after
a hearing held upon not less than ten days' written notice to
the appellant and to such rating organization or insurer may
affirm or reverse such action.

10—ADVISORY ORGANIZATIONS.

(a) Every group, association or other organization of in-
surers, whether located within or outside this State, which
assists insurers which make their own filings or rating organ-
izations in rate making, by the collection and furnishing of
loss or expense statistics, or by the submission of recommenda-
tions, but which does not make filings under this Act, shall
be known as an advisory organization.

(b) Every advisory organization shall file with the commis-
sioner (1) a copy of its constitution, its articles of agreement
or association or its certificate of incorporation and of its
by-laws, rules and regulations governing its activities, (2) a
list of its members, (3) the name and address of a resident of
this State upon whom notices or orders of the commissioner
or process issued at his direction may be served, and (4) an
agreement that the commissioner may examine such advisory
organization in accordance with the provisions of Sub-section
12 of this Act.

(c) If, after a hearing, the commissioner finds that the
furnishing of such information or assistance involves any act
or practice which is unfair or unreasonable or otherwise
inconsistent with the provisions of this Act, he may issue a
written order specifying in what respects such act or practice
is unfair or unreasonable or otherwise inconsistent with the
provisions of this Act, and requiring the discontinuance of
such act or practice.

(d) No insurer which makes its own filings nor any rating
organization shall support its filings by statistics or adopt
rate making recommendations, furnished to it by an advisory
organization which has not complied with this sub-section or
with an order of the commissioner involving such statistics
or recommendations issued under paragraph (c) of this sub-
section. If the commissioner finds such insurer or rating
organization to be in violation of this paragraph he may issue
an order requiring the discontinuance of such violation.