§ 58-2-52. Appeals and rate-making hearings before the Commissioner.
§58‑2‑52. Appeals and rate‑making hearings before theCommissioner.
(a) The Commissionermay adopt rules for the hearing of appeals by the Commissioner or theCommissioner's designated hearing officer under G.S. 58‑36‑35, 58‑37‑65,58‑45‑50, 58‑46‑30, 58‑48‑40(c)(7), 58‑48‑42,and 58‑62‑51(c). These rules may provide for prefiled evidence andtestimony of the parties, prehearing statements and conferences, settlementconferences, discovery, subpoenas, sanctions, motions, intervention,consolidation of cases, continuances, rights and responsibilities of parties,witnesses, and evidence.
(b) NotwithstandingG.S. 150B‑38(h), hearing procedures for rate filings made by the NorthCarolina Rate Bureau shall be governed by the provisions of Article 36 of thisChapter and G.S. 150B‑39 through G.S. 150B‑41. The Commissioner mayadopt rules for those hearings.
(c) Appeals under thestatutes cited in subsection (a) of this section are not contested cases withinthe meaning of G.S. 150B‑2(2). (1993, c. 409, s. 23; 1995,c. 193, s. 7.)