§33-12B-14. Current address of adjusters to be filed; effective notice of appearance at hearing before commissioner.

(a) Each adjuster shall file with the commissioner the complete address of his principal place of business and the complete address of his residence including the name and number of the street, or if the street where the business is located is not numbered, the number of the post office box. An adjuster shall also file with the commissioner the adjuster’s electronic mail address. An adjuster licensed on July 1, 2021, shall provide the commissioner with the licensee’s electronic mail address in connection with the licensee’s next license renewal application. Within 30 days of a change of business or residence address or electronic mail address by an adjuster, the adjuster must file with the commissioner notice of such change of address. The commissioner shall maintain the information provided pursuant to this subsection for each adjuster on file.

(b) When conducting any hearing authorized by §33-2-13 of this code which concerns any adjuster, the commissioner shall give notice of such hearing and the matters to be determined therein to such adjuster by certified mail, return receipt requested, sent to the last address filed by such person or entity pursuant to this section.

(c) If an adjuster fails to appear at such hearing, the hearing may proceed, at which time the commissioner shall establish that notice was sent to such person pursuant to this section prior to the entry of any orders adverse to the interests of such adjuster based upon the allegations against such person which were set forth in the notice of hearing. Certified copies of all orders entered by the commissioner shall be sent to the person affected therein by certified mail, return receipt requested, at the last address filed by such person with the commissioner.

(d) An adjuster who fails to appear at a hearing of which notice has been provided pursuant to this section, and who has had an adverse order entered by the commissioner against them as a result of their failure to so appear may, within 30 calendar days of the entry of such adverse order, file with the commissioner a written verified appeal with any relevant documents attached thereto, which demonstrates good and reasonable cause for the adjuster’s failure to appear, and may request reconsideration of the matter and a new hearing. The commissioner in his or her discretion, and upon a finding that the adjuster has shown good and reasonable cause for his or her failure to appear, shall issue an order that the previous order be rescinded, that the matter be reconsidered, and that a new hearing be set.

(e) Orders entered pursuant to this section are subject to the judicial review provisions of §33-2-14 of this code.