Reconsideration. An employer is entitled to request reconsideration by the Division of a determination of the employer’s contribution liability. Manner of Filing: Requests for reconsideration shall be filed within 30 days, unless good cause can be shown, of notice of the contribution liability; Requests for reconsideration shall be in writing; and Requests shall include why the requestor believes the contribution liability to be in error. Reconsideration shall be conducted by Division personnel who did not participate in the contribution liability determination at issue. A decision on the reconsideration shall be issued within 30 days. Appeals. The appeals process is only available to employers who have completed the reconsideration process as described in §A of this regulation. The appeal shall be filed with the Division within 30 days of the reconsideration denial unless the employer can show good cause. Absent unusual circumstances, a hearing shall be held on the appeal within 60 days of filing of the appeal. Hearing Notice. Employers shall be provided with reasonable written notice of a hearing. The hearing notice shall contain: The date, time, place, and nature of the hearing; A statement of the right to present witnesses, documents, and other forms of evidence, and the right to cross-examine witnesses; A statement of the right to request subpoenas for witnesses and evidence, specifying the costs, if any, associated with the request; A copy of the hearing procedure; A statement of the right or restrictions pertaining to representation; A statement that failure to appear for the scheduled hearing may result in an adverse action against the employer; and A statement that the employer and Division may agree to the evidence and waive their right to appear at the hearing. Service of Notices, Orders, and Other Documents. Except as provided by prior agreement, the hearing officer shall serve notices, orders, and other documents to the employer and any other parties in one of the following ways: Electronically; and By personal delivery; or By mailing a copy of the document, first class, postage prepaid, to the employer’s last known business or home address; and If the employer is represented by counsel, also by delivering or mailing a copy of the document, first class, postage prepaid, to the employer’s attorney. The hearing officer shall send the hearing notice to the employer: At least 15 days before the hearing; or If the employer has agreed to a date for which 15 days notice cannot be given, at the earliest time possible. Representation. An employer may appear individually or, if appearance by an attorney or representative is permitted or required by law, through an attorney authorized to practice in Maryland. Any notice, decision, or other matter required to be sent to an employer may also be sent to the employer’s attorney of record at the attorney’s address. If an employer is represented by an attorney or appears through an authorized representative, then examination and cross-examination of witnesses, and objections and motions on the employer’s behalf shall be made solely by the attorney or the authorized representative. Failure to Appear. A hearing may proceed as scheduled in the absence of the employer if the employer has: Been served in accordance with §B(4) of this regulation; and Failed to obtain a postponement of the hearing from the hearing officer under these requirements. Postponement. The hearing officer may postpone a hearing only if a written request for postponement is filed with the hearing officer not later than 10 days before the date of the hearing. If a request for postponement is received later than 10 days before the date of the hearing, the hearing officer shall deny the request unless they determine that there was good cause which justified the delay. Failure to retain counsel or to timely request a subpoena may not be considered good cause under this regulation. A request for postponement based on failure to obtain service on a witness may not be granted if the employer has failed to comply with the subpoena procedures set forth at COMAR 09.01.02. Discovery. There is no pre-hearing discovery. Subpoenas. Subpoena procedures are governed by COMAR 09.01.02. Conduct of the Proceedings. The hearing officer may impose reasonable time limitations. The Maryland Rules of Civil Procedure may be used as a guide in resolving procedural issues governing the conduct of the hearing that are not addressed in this chapter and the Administrative Procedure Act. The hearing officer may conduct all or any part of the hearing by telephone, video conference, or other electronic means, in accordance with State Government Article, §10-211, Annotated Code of Maryland. Order of Proceedings. Absent unusual circumstances, the order of proceedings shall be as follows: Opening statements and preliminary matters may be heard; All individuals planning to testify shall be sworn before testifying; The employer or their attorney or authorized representative may present the employer’s case; The Division may present the Division’s case; The employer shall be entitled to a brief rebuttal after the conclusion of the Division’s case; The hearing officer may hear closing arguments in the same order as the presentation of evidence; and Dispositive motions are prohibited. Evidence. The rules of evidence under this chapter shall be under State Government Article, §10-213, Annotated Code of Maryland. Additional evidence may not be introduced unless the party seeking to introduce it demonstrates to the satisfaction of the hearing officer that the new evidence: Is relevant and material; Was not discovered before the contribution liability was determined; and Could not have been discovered before the contribution liability was determined with the exercise of due diligence. The record shall include: All pleadings, motions, responses, correspondence, memoranda, including proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and requests filed by the employer and Division; All hearing notices; All documentary and other tangible evidence received or considered; A statement of each fact officially noticed; All stipulations; All offers of proof and objections; All rulings, orders, and decisions, proposed or final; Matters placed on the record in connection with ex parte communication; The recording of the hearing, and any pre hearing proceeding, and any transcript of the recording prepared by a court reporting service; and Any other item required by law. Interpreters. If an employer or witness cannot readily hear, speak, or understand the spoken or written English language, and applies to the hearing officer in advance of the hearing for the appointment of a qualified interpreter to assist that employer or witness, the hearing officer shall appoint a qualified interpreter to provide assistance during the hearing. With the approval of the hearing officer, an employer who intends to offer the testimony of a witness who cannot readily hear, speak, or understand the spoken or written English language, may arrange for a qualified interpreter to assist the witness. An interpreter shall take an oath or affirm that the interpreter will accurately translate. Burden of Proof. The employer shall bear the burden of proving, by a preponderance of the evidence, that the employer is entitled to a change in the contribution liability. Open Hearings. Unless otherwise provided by statute, all hearings conducted under this chapter are open to the public. Recording. The proceedings shall be recorded; The record need not be transcribed unless requested by the employer; The cost of a typewritten transcript of any proceeding or part of a proceeding shall be paid by the entity requesting the transcript; and Except as provided under §B(16)(a) of this regulation, cameras, tape recorders, and other electronic and photographic equipment of any type are not permitted at the hearing, unless the equipment is intended to be introduced into evidence or used to present evidence. Recusal. A hearing officer shall be recused from the review of an appeal and from participating in a hearing if the hearing officer: Has personal knowledge of the facts which gave rise to the appeal; Has a personal or business relationship with the employer or witnesses; or For any other reason may be unable to act impartially in the matter. Decisions. After consideration of the testimony and other evidence the hearing officer shall issue a final written order, including any penalties or fees issued under Labor and Employment Article, §8.3-101 et seq., Annotated Code of Maryland, within 90 days of the conclusion of the hearing. Judicial Review. An employer aggrieved by the final order is entitled to judicial review of the decision under State Government Article, §10-222, Annotated Code of Maryland.