BEFORE THE COMMISSIONER OF SECURITIES AND INSURANCE

MONTANA STATE AUDITOR

 

In the matter of the adoption of New Rules I through VIII pertaining to Surety Insurance Producers Who Sell, Solicit, or Negotiate Commercial Bail Bonds

) ) ) )

AMENDED NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING ON PROPOSED ADOPTION

 

TO: All Concerned Persons

 

1. On April 30, 2020, the Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Office of the Montana State Auditor (CSI), published MAR Notice No. 6-261 pertaining to the public hearing on the proposed adoption of the above-stated rules at page 739 of the 2020 Montana Administrative Register, Issue Number 8.

 

2. The CSI will make reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities who need an alternative accessible format of this notice. If you require an accommodation, please contact the CSI no later than 5:00 p.m., on October 26, 2020, to advise us of the nature of the accommodation that you need. Please contact Ramona Bidon, CSI, 840 Helena Avenue, Helena, Montana, 59601; telephone (406) 444-2726; TDD (406) 444-3246; fax (406) 444-3499; or e-mail [email protected].

 

3. As originally proposed, a public hearing was held on May 28, 2020, via recorded teleconference. Also as originally proposed, written data, views, and arguments were received through June 5, 2020.

 

4. The CSI amends the notice of proposed adoption to allow the public an additional week to submit written data, views, and arguments from October 23, 2020, until 5:00 p.m. on October 30, 2020. The CSI amends the notice only to allow additional public comment; the CSI does not amend the substance of the new rules proposed to be adopted by MAR Notice No. 6-261.

 

REASON: The Montana State Auditor, Commissioner of Securities and Insurance, Matthew Rosendale (commissioner), is the statewide elected official responsible for administering the Montana Insurance Code and regulating the business of insurance.

 

Prior to the May 28 public hearing, the CSI received a public records request that sought documents related to MAR Notice No. 6-261. The request sought documents that could not reasonably have been provided prior to that hearing, but were provided after the public comment period closed.

 

The commissioner believes it is reasonable and appropriate to amend the notice to allow an additional week for public comment even though the public hearing has already occurred and the public comment period has already ended. The commissioner intends for this amended notice of proposed adoption to constitute the latest notice under 2-4-305(7), MCA, for determining the 6-month limit for publication of an adoption notice after publication of the latest proposal notice.

 

            5. Concerned persons may submit their written data, views, or arguments to Ramona Bidon, CSI, 840 Helena Avenue, Helena, Montana, 59601; telephone (406) 444-2726; TDD (406) 444-3246; fax (406) 444-3499; or e-mail [email protected], which must be received no later than 5:00 p.m., October 30, 2020.

 

 

            /s/ Robert Stutz                                /s/ Kristin Hansen

            Robert Stutz                                     Kristin Hansen

            Rule Reviewer                                  Deputy State Auditor

                                                                      Acting Chief Legal Counsel

 

            Certified to the Secretary of State October 13, 2020.