If an investigation of any insurance education provider culminates in a finding by the commissioner or by any court of competent jurisdiction, that the insurance education provider has failed to comply with or has violated any statute or regulation pertaining to insurance education, the insurance education provider shall pay the expenses reasonably attributable and allocable to such investigation.

     (1) The commissioner shall calculate such expenses and render a bill therefor by registered mail to the insurance education provider. Within thirty days after receipt of such bill, the insurance education provider shall pay the full amount to the commissioner. The commissioner shall transmit such payment to the state treasurer. The state treasurer shall credit the payment to the office of the insurance commissioner regulatory account, treating such payment as recovery of a prior expenditure.

     (2) In any action brought under this section, if the commissioner prevails, the court may award to the office of the commissioner all costs of the action, including a reasonable attorneys' fee to be fixed by the court.

[2009 c 162 § 24; 2007 c 117 § 30; 1989 c 323 § 4.]

NOTES:

     Effective date -- 2009 c 162: See note following RCW 48.03.020.

     Effective date -- 1989 c 323: See note following RCW 48.17.125.