43 C.F.R. §§ 17.8–17.10

Opportunity for hearing. Whenever an opportunity for a hearing is required by § 17.7(c), reasonable notice shall be given by registered or certified mail, return receipt requested, to the affected applicant or recipient. This notice shall advise the applicant or recipient of the action proposed to be taken, the specific provision under which the proposed action against it is to be taken, and the matters of fact or law asserted as the basis for this action, and either (1) fix a date not less than 20 days after the date of such notice within which the applicant or recipient may request of the administrative law judge to whom the matter has been assigned that the matter be scheduled for hearing or (2) advise the applicant or recipient that the matter in question has been set down for hearing at a stated place and time. The time and place so fixed shall be reasonable and shall be subject to change for cause. The complainant, if any, shall be advised of the time and place of the hearing. An applicant or recipient may waive a hearing and submit written information and argument for the record. The failure of an applicant or recipient to request a hearing under this paragraph or to appear at a hearing for which a date has been set shall be deemed to be a waiver of the right to a hearing under section 602 of the act and § 17.7(c) and consent to the making of a decision on the basis of such information as is available.

Time and place of hearing. Hearings shall be held at the Office of Hearings and Appeals of the Department in the Washington, DC, area, at a time fixed by the administrative law judge to whom the matter has been assigned unless he determines that the convenience of the applicant or recipient or of the Department requires that another place be selected. Hearings shall be held before an administrative law judge designated by the Office of Hearings and Appeals in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 3105 and 3344.

Right to counsel. In all proceedings under this section, the applicant or recipient and the Department shall have the right to be represented by counsel.

Consolidated or joint hearings. In cases in which the same or related facts are asserted to constitute noncompliance with this part with respect to two or more Federal statutes, authorities, or other means by which Federal financial assistance is extended and to which this part applies or noncompliance with this part and the regulations of one or more other Federal departments or agencies issued under title VI of the act, the Secretary may, by agreement with such other departments or agencies, where applicable, provide for the conduct of consolidated or joint hearings, and for the application to such hearings of rules of procedure not inconsistent with this part. Final decisions in such cases, insofar as this part is concerned, shall be made in accordance with § 17.9.

Initial decision by an administrative law judge. The administrative law judge shall make an initial decision and a copy of such initial decision shall be sent by registered mail, return receipt requested, to the recipient or applicant.

Review of the initial decision. The applicant or recipient may file his exceptions to the initial decision, with his reasons therefor, with the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, within thirty days of receipt of the initial decision. In the absence of exceptions, the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, on his own motion within forty-five days after the initial decision, may notify the applicant or recipient that he will review the decision. In the absence of exceptions or a notice of review, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision subject to the approval of the Secretary pursuant to paragraph (f) of this section.

Decisions by the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals. Whenever the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, reviews the decision of a hearing examiner pursuant to paragraph (b) of this section, the applicant or recipient shall be given reasonable opportunity to file with him briefs or other written statements of its contention, and a copy of the final decision of the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, shall be given to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.

Decisions on record where a hearing is waived. Whenever a hearing is waived pursuant to § 17.8(a), a decision shall be made by the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals on the record and a copy of such decision shall be given in writing to the applicant or recipient and to the complainant, if any.

Rulings required. Each decision of an administrative law judge or the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, shall set forth his ruling on each finding, conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement or requirements imposed by or pursuant to this part with which it is found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.

Approval by Secretary. Any final decision of a hearing examiner or of the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, or the imposition of any other sanction available under this part of the act, shall promptly be transmitted to the Secretary, who may approve such decision, may vacate it, or remit or mitigate any sanction imposed.

Content of decisions. The final decision may provide for the suspension or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, in whole or in part, to which this regulation applies, and may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and effectuate the purposes of the act and this part, including provisions designed to assure that no Federal financial assistance to which this regulation applies will thereafter be extended to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to this regulation, or to have otherwise failed to comply with this part, unless and until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the Secretary that it will fully comply with this part.