Sen. Mike Padden, Chair of the Senate Law and Justice Committee, announced today that the interim committee work session scheduled for June 16 will now include a discussion of the independence of hearings officers at state agencies. The topic was added in response to a recent whistleblower complaint filed by a hearings officer at the Office of Insurance Commissioner, based on her claims that she was improperly pressured by a senior official at the OIC to decide a high profile case in favor of the agency.

Padden, R-Spokane Valley, said that the claims made by Chief Presiding Officer Patricia Petersen raise serious concerns that should be investigated and resolved. Continue reading →