<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 09.12.01.09" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="01" heading="Hearings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>A hearing shall be held in accordance with the requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, Title 10, Subtitle 2, State Government Article, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Commissioner delegates the authority to issue a proposed decision on a citation or penalty to the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>A proposed decision of the Office of Administrative Hearings becomes a final order of the Commissioner 20 days after the date it is issued, unless:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The person found to have violated Public Safety Article, Title 12, Subtitle 9, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a regulation or order issued to carry out this law, requests a review; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commissioner orders review.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Review of Proceedings Before the Commissioner.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A request for review by a person found to have violated Public Safety Article, Title 12, Subtitle 9, Annotated Code of Maryland, or a regulation or order issued to carry out this law, shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Be in writing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Contain a concise statement identifying each portion of the determination for which a review is requested;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Be filed with the Commissioner within 20 days after the date the determination is issued; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Be mailed by the requesting party to all other parties to the proceeding.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Affected parties have the opportunity to present argument to the Commissioner based on the record before the Office of Administrative Hearings.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Order of the Commissioner.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>After review of the proceedings, with or without a hearing, the Commissioner shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Issue an order based on findings of fact; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Mail copies of the order to all affected parties.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The Commissioner’s order shall affirm, modify, or vacate the citation or proposed penalty, or direct other appropriate relief.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Hearings Before the Board of Boiler Rules.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A hearing before the Board of Boiler Rules shall be held before at least four members of the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A request for postponement of a hearing may not be considered unless the presiding officer receives a request:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>In writing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>At least 5 days before the scheduled hearing date; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Setting forth the reasons for the request.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Presiding Officer.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>At a hearing before the Board, the chairman of the Board or, in the chairman’s absence, the chairman’s designee, shall be the presiding officer.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A presiding officer may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Administer oaths and affirmations;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Rule on offers of proof and procedural matters;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Regulate the course of the hearing, including the conduct of parties and counsel;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Receive relevant evidence;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Examine a witness; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(vi)">
          <text>Take other action authorized by statute or regulation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A hearing shall be recorded verbatim.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Hearing Procedure.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The presiding officer shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Call the title of the case;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Briefly explain the purpose and nature of the hearing;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Recite any charges, complaints, or other matters involved;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Administer the oath to all persons who are to testify; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(v)">
          <text>Receive any stipulation entered into by the parties.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Counsel or a party may address any preliminary matter, exception, or motion.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>The following exhibits shall be introduced:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>A copy of the petition, complaint, or other matter involved in the hearing; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>A copy of the notice of hearing.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>In a hearing on an application for variance, the applicant shall proceed first and present evidence to demonstrate either that the subject regulation is unreasonable or that it imposes an undue burden on the applicant, and that equivalent safety can be maintained. The presenter of evidence shall then present information obtained as a result of the agency’s investigation of the application.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Subject to statutes and rules governing the practice of law, a party or counsel representing a party may:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Call witnesses;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Offer evidence, including rebuttal evidence;</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Cross-examine a witness called by another party or the agency; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iv)">
          <text>Present argument and summation.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Any member of the Board may examine a witness.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>The Board may permit or require a party to file a written memorandum, which may include proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The Board shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Issue a written determination which includes findings of fact and conclusions of law, and an order disposing of the proceedings; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Promptly serve a copy of the determination on each party or the party's counsel of record.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>A party aggrieved by a final order issued pursuant to this regulation may obtain judicial review by filing a written petition with the appropriate circuit court within 30 days of issuance of the final order.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>