Section 446.603  Reply

a)         Within 20 days of the service of a notice issued under Section 446.601, the operator may:

1)         File with the Department a sworn statement by which the operator consents to withdraw the contested rate(s) filed by him and states that the operator will not charge any such rate(s) for the matters covered by that rate(s) until the operator files and has approved by the Department a new rate(s), and thereby close the case; or

2)         Request a hearing as provided in Section 446.604.

b)         The Director may extend the 20-day period for good cause shown.

c)         Failure of the operator to reply by taking one of the two actions described in paragraph (a)(1) of this Section within the period provided constitutes a waiver of his right to appear and contest the allegation and authorizes the Director, without further notice to the operator to find the facts to be as alleged in the notice and order the rate(s) in question to be voided.