WSR 16-12-081

PREPROPOSAL STATEMENT OF INQUIRY

[Insurance Commissioner Matter No. R 2016-15—Filed May 31, 2016, 10:52 a.m.]

Subject of Possible Rule Making: Administrative hearings.

Statutes Authorizing the Agency to Adopt Rules on this Subject: RCW 48.02.060, 34.05.220, and 34.05.250.

Reasons Why Rules on this Subject may be Needed and What They Might Accomplish: Over the last several years there has been confusion by those requesting hearings and participating in hearings, including the office of insurance commissioner, as to the administrative hearing process. Therefore, to try and clear up some of this confusion the commissioner will consider amending existing rules and adopt new rules regarding administrative hearings before the commissioner. These rules may include, but not limited to: Providing a distinction between those "aggrieved" and "licensees," clarify the process for requesting a hearing, clarify the process requirements for prehearing conferences, make provisions for parties to adjudicative proceedings to request reconsideration, the conduct of discovery, filing and consideration of motions, and the office of administrative hearings model rules.

Other Federal and State Agencies that Regulate this Subject and the Process Coordinating the Rule with These Agencies: None.

Process for Developing New Rule: Submit written comments by July 22, 2016, to Jim Tompkins, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-3109.

Interested parties can participate in the decision to adopt the new rule and formulation of the proposed rule before publication by contacting Jim Tompkins, P.O. Box 40258, Olympia, WA 98504-0258, rulescoordinator@oic.wa.gov, fax (360) 586-3109.

May 31, 2016

Mike Kreidler

Insurance Commissioner