235.03.3-007. Adjudicative Hearings
AR ADC 235.03.3-007Arkansas Administrative CodeEffective: August 12, 2022
Effective: August 12, 2022
Ark. Admin. Code 235.03.3-007
Formerly cited as AR ADC 010.13.1-007
235.03.3-007. Adjudicative Hearings
This Rule applies in all administrative adjudications conducted by the Arkansas Board of Electrical Examiners. This procedure is developed to provide a process by which the Board formulates orders, including orders revoking a permit or license or making a final administrative determination regarding the imposition of a civil penalty or fine.
The Board chair shall preside at the hearing or may designate a hearing officer, examiner or referee to preside at a hearing.
If there are separate matters that involve similar issues of law or fact, or identical parties, the matters may be consolidated if it appears that consolidation would promote the just, speedy, and inexpensive resolution of the proceedings, and would not unduly prejudice the rights of a party.
If it appears that the determination of the rights of parties in a proceeding will necessarily involve a determination of the substantial interests of persons who are not parties, the presiding officer may enter an order requiring that an absent person be notified of the proceeding and be given an opportunity to be joined as a party of record.
Unless the presiding officer otherwise orders, every pleading and every other paper filed for the proceeding, except applications for witness subpoenas and the subpoenas, shall be served on each party or the party's representative at the last address of record.
All requests for relief will be by motion. Motions must be in writing or made on the record during a hearing. A motion must fully state the action requested and the grounds relied upon. The original written motion will be filed with the Board. When time allows, the other parties may, within seven (7) days of the service of the written motion, file a response in opposition. The presiding officer may conduct such proceedings and enter such orders as are deemed necessary to address issues raised by the motion. However, a presiding officer, other than the Board chair, will not enter a dispositive order unless expressly authorized in writing to do so.
1. The Board chair may grant a continuance of hearing for good cause shown. Requests for continuances will be made in writing. The request must state the grounds to be considered and be made as soon as practicable and, except in cases of emergencies, no later than five (5) days prior to the date noticed for the hearing. In determining whether to grant a continuance, the Board chair may consider:
1. The presiding officer presides at the hearing and may rule on motions, require briefs, and issue such orders as will ensure the orderly conduct of the proceedings; provided, however, any presiding officer other than the Board chair shall not enter a dispositive order or proposed decision unless expressly authorized in writing to do so.
4. Subject to terms and conditions prescribed by the Administrative Procedure Act, parties have the right to introduce evidence on issues of material fact, cross-examine witnesses as necessary for a full and true disclosure of the facts, present evidence in rebuttal, and, upon request by the Board, may submit briefs and engage in oral argument.
The presiding officer will conduct the hearing in the following manner:
4. Each witness must be sworn or affirmed by the presiding officer, or the court reporter, or any other person authorized by law to administer oaths and be subject to examination and cross-examination as well as questioning by the Board. The presiding officer may limit questioning in a manner consistent with the law.
3. Evidence in the proceeding must be confined to the issues set forth in the hearing notice, unless the parties waive their right to such notice or the presiding officer determines that good cause justifies expansion of the issues. If the presiding officer decides to admit evidence outside the scope of the notice, over the objection of a party who did not have actual notice of those issues, that party, upon timely request, will receive a continuance sufficient to prepare for the additional issue and to permit amendment of pleadings.
4. A party seeking admission of an exhibit must provide ten (10) copies of each exhibit at a hearing before the Board. The presiding officer must provide the opposing parties with an opportunity to examine the exhibit prior to the ruling on its admissibility. All exhibits admitted into evidence must be appropriately marked and be made part of the record.
5. Any party may object to specific evidence or may request limits on the scope of the examination or cross-examination. A brief statement of the grounds upon which it is based shall accompany such an objection. The objection, the ruling on the objection, and the reasons for the ruling will be noted in the record. The presiding officer may rule on the objection at the time it is made or may reserve the ruling until the written decision.
6. Whenever evidence is ruled inadmissible, the party offering that evidence may submit an offer of proof on the record. The party making the offer of proof for excluded oral testimony will briefly summarize the testimony or, with permission of the presiding officer, present the testimony. If the excluded evidence consists of a document or exhibit, it shall be marked as part of an offer of proof and inserted in the record.
If a party fails to appear or participate in an administrative adjudication after proper service of notice, the Board may proceed with the hearing and render a decision in the absence of the party.
2. A subpoena may be served by any person specified by law to serve process or in any manner authorized by law or by any person who is not a party and who is eighteen (18) years of age or older. Delivering a copy to the person named in the subpoena shall make service. Proof of service may be made by affidavit of the person making service. The party seeking the subpoena shall have the burden of obtaining service of the process and shall be charged with the responsibility of tendering appropriate mileage fees and witness fees pursuant to Rule 45, Arkansas Rules of Civil Procedure. The witness must be served at least two (2) days prior to the hearing. For good cause, the Director may authorize the subpoena to be served less than two (2) days before the hearing.
The responsibility to record the testimony heard at a hearing is borne by the Board of Electrical Examiners. Upon the filing of a petition for judicial review, the agency will provide a transcript of testimony taken before the Board.
In addition to any other considerations permitted by Ark. Code Ann. §§ 17-28-201 et seq. and Ark. Code Ann. §§ 20-31-101 et seq. and these Rules, if applicable, the Board in imposing any sanction may consider the following:
The Board will serve on the respondent a written order that reflects the action taken by the Board. The order will include a recitation of facts found based on testimony and other evidence presented and reasonable inferences derived from the evidence pertinent to the issues of the case. It will also state conclusions of law and directives or other disposition entered against or in favor of the respondent.
The order will be served personally or by mail on the respondent. If counsel represents respondent, service of the order on respondent's counsel shall be deemed service on the respondent.
Credits
Amended Aug. 12, 2022.
Current with amendments received through February 15, 2024. Some sections may be more current, see credit for details.
Ark. Admin. Code 235.03.3-007, AR ADC 235.03.3-007
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