<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 09.12.20.15" title_num="09" subtitle_num="12" chapter_num="20" heading="Hearings — Conduct of Hearing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Powers and Duties of Hearing Examiner.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A hearing examiner shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Conduct a fair and impartial hearing to:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Fully elicit all the facts,</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>Adjudicate all issues, and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(iii)">
          <text>Avoid delay; and</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Exclude evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Subject to applicable laws and regulations, a hearing examiner may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Administer oaths and affirmations;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Rule on offers of proof and procedural matters;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Postpone, continue, or reschedule a hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Regulate the course of a hearing, including the conduct of parties, their representatives, and witnesses;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Receive relevant evidence;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Accept a stipulation or agreed statement of facts if all parties agree to its admission;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(g)">
        <text>Admit an affidavit as evidence in place of testimony, if the matters in the affidavit are otherwise admissible and if all parties agree to its admission; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(h)">
        <text>Take other action authorized by the Act, regulations adopted under the Act, or the Administrative Procedure Act, State Government Article, Title 10, Subtitle 2, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>A hearing examiner may not grant a motion to dismiss, a motion for judgment, or any other dispositive motion without the concurrence of all parties.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A hearing examiner shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Call the title of the case;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Briefly explain the purpose and nature of the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Administer the oath to all who will testify.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Preliminary Matters. Counsel or a party may address a preliminary matter, exception, or motion.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Order of Testimony.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In a citation case, the presenter of evidence shall proceed first and shall present all evidence.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In an abatement case, the employer or the employer's representative shall proceed first.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Oral Argument and Briefs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>On request of a party before the close of a hearing, the hearing examiner shall allow each party a reasonable time at the close of the hearing, for oral argument.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>2Post hearing briefs are permitted if the hearing examiner determines that there is a need for guidance on an unresolved question of law.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>