<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".11" citation="COMAR 28.02.01.11" title_num="28" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="01" heading="Powers and Duties of ALJs.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>An ALJ shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct a full, fair, and impartial hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Take action to avoid unnecessary delay in the disposition of the proceedings; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Maintain order.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>An ALJ has the power to regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of the parties and authorized representatives, including the power to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Administer oaths and affirmations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Issue subpoenas for witnesses and the production of evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Rule upon offers of proof and admit relevant and material evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Consider and rule upon motions in accordance with this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Examine witnesses and call witnesses as necessary to ensure a full and complete record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Limit unduly repetitious testimony and reasonably limit the time for presentations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Grant a continuance or postponement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Modify or waive, reasonably and for good cause, any time periods established by this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Request parties to submit legal memoranda, proposed findings of fact, and proposed conclusions of law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Make proposed or final decisions and take any other appropriate action authorized by law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Require the parties to participate in remote proceedings unless a party establishes good cause for an in-person proceeding as provided by Regulation .20B of this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Issue such orders as are necessary to procure procedural simplicity and administrative fairness and to eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>Conduct the hearing in a manner suited to ascertain the facts and safeguard the rights of the parties to the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>Impose appropriate sanctions for failure to abide by this chapter or a lawful order of the ALJ.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Disqualification; Substitution of ALJs.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conditions.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>An ALJ shall withdraw from participation in an Office proceeding in which personal bias or other reasons render the ALJ unable to remain impartial, or in which an appearance of impropriety may reasonably be inferred from the facts.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>For purposes of this section, an ALJ shall presume personal bias under circumstances set forth in the Office’s Code of Judicial Conduct.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Motion for Disqualification.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>A party shall move promptly for disqualification of an ALJ upon discovering facts that establish grounds for disqualification.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The ALJ shall:</text>
        <paragraph num="(i)">
          <text>Rule promptly on the motion; and</text>
        </paragraph>
        <paragraph num="(ii)">
          <text>If granted, immediately refer the matter for assignment or designation of a substituted ALJ.</text>
        </paragraph>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Substitution of ALJs.</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>If an ALJ is unable to continue presiding over a pending Office proceeding, or to issue a proposed or final decision, to the extent that it is allowed by law the Chief ALJ shall assign or designate a substituted ALJ pursuant to State Government Article, §9-1604(a)(4) or 9-1607, Annotated Code of Maryland.</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>A substituted ALJ may use the existing record and conduct such further proceedings as are necessary and proper.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>