<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".08" citation="COMAR 14.35.10.08" title_num="14" subtitle_num="35" chapter_num="10" heading="Exceptions.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>On receipt of a decision that contains proposed findings of fact, proposed conclusions of law, or a proposed order, the parties affected have:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>20 calendar days after receipt to request to present argument, file exceptions to the  proposed order with the Board, or both of these; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>10 calendar days to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>File a written request for a transcript, at the party’s own expense, with the Board in order to file exceptions; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>File with the Board a copy of that party's written request to its stenographer, at the party’s own expense, for the party's preparation of a transcript based on its own record of the testimony in order to file exceptions.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Receipt under §A of this regulation is presumed to occur 3 calendar days after the mailing of the proposed order.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Filing Exceptions After Receipt of Transcript.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>If a party requests a transcript under §A(2) of this regulation, the party shall have 30 calendar days after the filing of the transcript to file a request to present argument, exceptions, or both of these with the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Unless extended by order of the Board, the party requesting the transcript shall file the transcript with the Board within 60 calendar days after the date on which the transcript was requested.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Exceptions shall be in writing unless specified otherwise by the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>If a party elects not to offer argument or file exceptions, another party may not raise the defense of failure to exhaust this administrative remedy on appeal to circuit court.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>If a party requests the opportunity to offer argument, the Board shall grant the request and allow the party to present argument to a majority of the Board.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>The record before the Board for the exceptions shall consist of:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Office’s findings and conclusions, including the findings of fact, conclusions of law, and proposed order;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Any exceptions filed by a party;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Any response to exceptions filed by a party;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Any evidence submitted by a party;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Notice to the parties of the hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Any documentary evidence admitted into evidence by the Office; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>The transcript of the hearing before the Office, if requested and filed by one of the parties or the Board.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>Transcripts.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>A party who desires to have the transcript made part of the record shall, at the party's own expense, file three copies of the transcript, or its relevant portions, with the Board on receipt of the transcript.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If a transcript has already been prepared, the Board shall make the transcript part of the record in the contested case.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>If a transcript is prepared based on the Office’s record of the testimony and a transcript is prepared based on a party's own record of the testimony, the transcript based on the Office’s record of the testimony is:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The official transcript; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Controlling in the event of any conflict between the two transcripts.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>If the transcript is not filed or otherwise made part of the record in the contested case, parties may not refer in their exceptions to any testimony before the Office not incorporated into the Office’s findings and conclusions.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If all parties agree that the questions presented for review to the final decision maker can be determined without an examination of the entire transcript, the parties may file a statement showing how the questions arose and setting forth the facts or allegations that are essential to a determination of those issues.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>