<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09" citation="COMAR 14.17.22.09" title_num="14" subtitle_num="17" chapter_num="22" heading="Hearings.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Procedures.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Administration shall record all hearings and provide a copy of that recording upon request.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A party may produce witnesses and documents in support of the party’s position.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Written Subpoenas.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A party may request that the hearing officer issue subpoenas for witnesses or documents necessary for the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>A party shall make the request in writing, no later than 21 days before the hearing, explaining why the subpoena is necessary.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The hearing officer may:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Question any witnesses;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>In accordance with State Government Article, §10-219(a), Annotated Code of Maryland, consult with any employee of the Administration before making a decision in a case; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Decline to issue the subpoena.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Evidence.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The hearing officer shall consider evidence of the type and in the manner prescribed by State Government Article, §10-213, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Copies of documents may be admitted, although the Administration’s hearing officer may require production of originals.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>The Administration shall retain documentary or other evidence for at least 60 days after a final order has been issued and all appeal rights have been exhausted or waived. The evidence may then be destroyed unless the owner or person producing it makes a written request for its return.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Burden of Proof.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The standard of proof in a hearing shall be a preponderance of evidence.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the hearing of a contested case involving allegations that a party violated a law or regulation, the Administration shall bear the burden of  proof that the party committed the violations that resulted in the Administration’s action against the party.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>In the hearing of a contested case resulting from the denial, or proposed denial, of a license, registration, or permit, the applicant shall have the burden of establishing the applicant's entitlement to the license, registration, or permit.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>In the hearing of a contested case resulting from an advertisement alleged to not comply with the requirements of Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis Article, §§36-903(a)(1)(iv), Annotated Code of Maryland, there is a rebuttable presumption that the advertisement at issue is prohibited unless or until a respondent demonstrates that it is permissible.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>Construction.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>In hearings conducted by an Administrative Law Judge of the Office of Administrative Hearings, COMAR 14.17.22, et seq shall whenever possible be construed as supplementing and in harmony with COMAR 28.02.01.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>In the event of a conflict between COMAR 14.17.22 et seq. and COMAR 28.02.01, this subtitle shall apply.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>Hearings Conducted by Electronic Means.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A hearing officer may conduct all or part of a hearing by telephone, video conferencing, or other electronic means, with the consent of all parties.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>All substantive and procedural rights applicable to hearings described in this regulation apply to telephone, video, or other electronic hearings, subject only to the limitations of the physical arrangement.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>For a telephone, video, or other electronic hearing, a party shall provide documentary evidence to be offered to all parties so that each party and the hearing officer receive it within the time specified by the hearing officer or, if not specified, no less than 15 days before the scheduled hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>For a telephone, video, or other electronic hearing, the following may be considered a failure to appear and result in the assessment or denial of the application for refund becoming final and not subject to appeal:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Failure to answer the telephone for 15 minutes from the time set for the hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Failure to free the telephone for a hearing;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Any other failure without good cause to be ready to proceed with the hearing as scheduled.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>