<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".04-1" citation="COMAR 31.02.01.04-1" title_num="31" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="01" heading="Delegation of Authority.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The Commissioner may, on a case-by-case basis, delegate to the Office the authority to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct a contested case hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Issue:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Proposed or final findings of fact;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Proposed or final conclusions of law;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Proposed or final findings of fact and conclusions of law; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>A proposed or final order.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>The Commissioner may revoke all or part of a delegation of authority to the Office to preside over a hearing if:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The case:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Involves novel or unanticipated factual or legal issues;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Has significant social, fiscal, or legal issues;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Involves policy issues of general applicability; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Requires further investigation; or</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The Commissioner determines that revocation of all or part of the delegation of authority is otherwise in the public interest.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Procedure for Revocation.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall provide written notice of a revocation of hearing authority to all parties and the Office.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The written notice shall contain a brief statement of the reason for the revocation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Delegation of authority to hear a contested case may be revoked at any time before the earlier of the:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Issuance of a ruling by the administrative law judge on a substantive issue; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Taking of oral testimony from the first witness.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>The Commissioner shall specify whether all or part of the delegation to hear a contested case has been revoked.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>If only part of the delegation has been revoked, the Commissioner shall specify in the written notice of revocation the portions of the contested case for which the delegation has been revoked.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>On revocation of the delegation, the Commissioner shall:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Refer the contested case for further investigation;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Set the contested case for a hearing with the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designee acting as the hearing officer; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Dismiss the contested case.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>