<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 10.38.05.11" title_num="10" subtitle_num="38" chapter_num="05" heading="Recommended Decisions, Exceptions Hearings, and Oral Argument.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>If a case has been delegated to a hearing committee of the Board or to the Office of Administrative Hearings pursuant to State Government Article, §10-205, Annotated Code of Maryland, the hearing committee or administrative law judge shall prepare a recommended decision for consideration by a quorum of the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A quorum of the Board may include members of the hearing committee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>The hearing committee shall issue a recommended decision within 90 days of the conclusion of the hearing. This 90-day time frame may be extended by a majority vote of a quorum of the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>The Board shall notify the parties of the parties’ right to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>File written exceptions to the recommended decision issued by the administrative law judge or the hearing committee; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Present oral argument to the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>A party may file written exceptions to the recommended decision issued by the administrative law judge or the hearing committee within 30 days of receipt of the recommended decision.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The party opposing the exceptions has 15 days to file a written response.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The Board may refuse to consider exceptions or responses filed in violation of §§E and F of this regulation.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Oral Arguments.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If either party files exceptions, the Board shall schedule an oral argument to be held before a quorum of the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>After oral argument, the Board shall prepare an order containing the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Accepted findings of fact;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Conclusions of law; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Disposition.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Board may refuse to hear oral argument if exceptions are not timely filed.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The presiding officer shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Determine all procedural issues that are governed by this regulation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Make any rulings reasonably necessary to facilitate the effectiveness and efficiency of oral argument; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Impose reasonable time limitations on oral argument and, ordinarily, limit the parties to 30 minutes each.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>The party filing the exceptions shall proceed first.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If the parties do not file timely exceptions and no oral argument is scheduled, a quorum of the Board shall consider the recommended decision issued by the administrative law judge or hearing committee.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="J.">
    <text>The Board shall prepare an order based on the Board’s review of the:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Recommended decision of the administrative law judge or hearing committee;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Record developed before the administrative law judge or hearing committee; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any exceptions and responses filed by the parties.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>