48.56.050 - Revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew. - Washington Statutes

Revocation, suspension, or refusal to renew.

(1) The commissioner may revoke or suspend the license of any premium finance company when and if after investigation it appears to the commissioner that --

     (a) any license issued to such company was obtained by fraud,

     (b) there was any misrepresentation in the application for the license,

     (c) the holder of such license has otherwise shown himself or herself untrustworthy or incompetent to act as a premium finance company, or

     (d) such company has violated any of the provisions of this chapter.

     (2) Before the commissioner shall revoke, suspend, or refuse to renew the license of any premium finance company, he or she shall give to such person an opportunity to be fully heard and to introduce evidence in his or her behalf. In lieu of revoking or suspending the license for any of the causes enumerated in this section, after hearing as herein provided, the commissioner may subject such company to a penalty of not more than two hundred dollars for each offense when in his or her judgment he or she finds that the public interest would not be harmed by the continued operation of such company. The amount of any such penalty shall be paid by such company through the office of the commissioner to the state treasurer. At any hearing provided by this section, the commissioner shall have authority to administer oaths to witnesses. Anyone testifying falsely, after having been administered such oath, shall be subject to the penalty of perjury.

     (3) If the commissioner refuses to issue or renew any license or if any applicant or licensee is aggrieved by any action of the commissioner, said applicant or licensee shall have the right to a hearing and court proceeding as provided by statute.

[2009 c 549 § 7156; 1969 ex.s. c 190 § 5.]