21 NCAC 17 .0515             Proposals for decision

(a)  When an administrative law judge conducts a hearing pursuant to G.S. 150B-40(e), a "proposal for decision" shall be rendered. The parties may file written exceptions to this "proposal for decision" and submit their own proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law. The exceptions and alternative proposals must be filed within 10 days after the party has received the "proposal for decision" as drafted by the administrative law judge.

(b)  Any exceptions to the procedure during the hearing, the handling of the hearing by the administrative law judge, rulings on evidence, or any other matter must be written and refer specifically to pages of the record or otherwise precisely identify the occurrence to which exception is taken. The exceptions and alternative proposals must be filed with the Board within 10 days of the receipt of the proposal for decision. The written exceptions shall bear the notation: "EXCEPTIONS TO THE PROCEEDINGS IN THE CASE OF (name of case)."

(c)  Any party may present oral argument to the Board upon request. The request must be included with the written exceptions.

(d)  Upon receipt of request for further oral argument, notice shall be issued promptly to all parties designating the time and place for such oral argument.

(e)  Giving due consideration to the proposal for decision and the exceptions and arguments of the parties, the Board may adopt the proposal for decision or may modify it as the Board deems necessary. The decision rendered shall be a part of the record and a copy thereof given to all parties. The decision as adopted or modified becomes the "final agency decision" for the right to judicial review. Said decision shall be rendered by the Board within 60 days of the next regularly scheduled meeting following the oral arguments, if any. If there are no oral arguments presented, the decision shall be rendered within 60 days of the next regularly scheduled Board meeting following receipt of the written exceptions and alternative proposals.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90‑356; 150B-40;

Eff. January 1, 2023.