<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".18" citation="COMAR 07.01.04.18" title_num="07" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="04" heading="Exceptions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Any party may file exceptions with the Secretary within 10 calendar days of receiving the administrative law judge's proposed decision. Receipt of the proposed decision is presumed to occur 3 business days after mailing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Exceptions shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Be in writing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Contain:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A concise statement as to each portion of the administrative law judge's determination to which exception is taken, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The asserted basis for taking the exception; and</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Be served on all parties to the proceedings and the Secretary.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>All parties shall be afforded the opportunity to submit written argument to the Secretary in support of, or in response to, exceptions.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Secretary may hear oral argument and may limit the time for argument.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Argument from the Hearing Record.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In any written or oral argument, a party shall identify specific evidence produced at the hearing before the administrative law judge supporting that party's position.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A party wanting the Secretary to review some or all of the testimony presented at the hearing shall submit, at the party's expense, a copy of the relevant portions of tape or transcript with the party's written argument, not later than 5 calendar days before any scheduled oral argument.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Additional and New Evidence.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Additional evidence may only be admitted into the record during the exception process with the agreement of all parties.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Absent agreement and upon a finding that the evidence is material and relevant, the Secretary may remand the case to the administrative law judge to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Accept the new evidence; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Prepare and submit a revised proposed decision.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>