A. Written settlement offers on matters in litigation shall be submitted to the secretary. The secretary shall respond with a written acceptance, rejection or counter offer within three months of the date the settlement offer is received. In responding to a settlement offer, the secretary may consider the hazards of litigation.
B. If the secretary fails to accept, reject, or make a counteroffer as provided for in this Subsection within three months of the date the taxpayer's settlement offer is received, the secretary's conduct shall constitute unreasonable delay by the department within the meaning of R.S. 47:1601(A)(2)(d), and interest shall be abated from the date the taxpayer's settlement offer was received through the date a written acceptance, rejection or counter offer is provided to the taxpayer.