<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".09-1" citation="COMAR 31.02.01.09-1" title_num="31" subtitle_num="02" chapter_num="01" heading="Decision by an Administrative Law Judge.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Scope. This regulation applies to a contested case where the Office has been delegated authority to conduct a contested case hearing under Regulation .04-1A of this chapter.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Contents. The administrative law judge who hears a case shall submit to the Commissioner a decision that contains whichever of the following were authorized in the Commissioner's delegation of authority to the Office for the case:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Proposed or final findings of fact;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Proposed or final conclusions of law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Proposed or final findings of fact and conclusions of law; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A proposed or final order.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Effect of Regulations, Bulletins, Final Orders, and Preexisting Policies. Except as provided in Regulation .10-2H of this chapter, in making a decision, the administrative law judge is bound by any regulation, bulletin, final order, or settled and preexisting policy of the Commissioner to the same extent that the Commissioner is or would have been bound if the Commissioner were hearing the case.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Distribution of Decision. The Office shall send the administrative law judge's decision directly to the parties and the Commissioner.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>