Rule 360-26-.04 - Review of Initial Decision(1) Either the Respondent or the Board may seek review of the initial decision of the hearing officer pursuant to O.C.G.A. 50-13-17(a). If the Respondent files a timely motion for review of the initial decision of the hearing officer, the Respondent may include therein a statement of the reasons for seeking review and alleged errors made by the hearing officer in the initial decision. If the Board files a timely order for review of the initial decision on its own motion, it may include in its order the issues to be considered by the Board at the review hearing.(2) Upon the filing of a timely motion by Respondent seeking review of the initial decision of the hearing officer, or upon the filing of a timely order for review of an initial decision by the Board on its own motion, notice of the date and time for the review shall be served on Respondent or counsel for Respondent and counsel for the agency.(3) The Board may appoint a hearing officer for review, other than the hearing officer who entered the initial decision, who shall preside over the review proceedings and control the conduct of the review hearing. In acting as presiding officer, the hearing officer for review shall assist the Board in its ruling on procedural and evidentiary questions that arise during the course of the review. At the direction of the Board, the hearing officer for review shall draft the final decision for the Board.(4) On review, the Board shall have all the powers it would have in making the initial decision, and in its discretion shall have the power to take additional testimony or remand the case to the original hearing officer for such purpose, as provided in the Administrative Procedure Act, O.C.G.A. 50-13-17 and in accordance with this Rule. Motions, including motions to present additional evidence, shall be filed in accordance with the time periods for such motions set forth in the Order scheduling the review. (a) Motions to present additional evidence or to remand the case to the original hearing officer for such purpose shall be granted only if the additional evidence is material and there was good cause for failing to present such evidence before the original hearing officer. All motions, including motions for the presentation of additional evidence, shall be ruled on by the Board, prior to oral arguments during the review hearing.(5) Oral argument up to 30 minutes per side is permitted in the review hearing. Additional time for argument must be requested in writing and docketed at least fourteen (14) days before the date set for the review hearing.(6) Once the review hearing is concluded, the Board shall deliberate as to the final decision. Neither the hearing officer for review nor the parties nor their counsel shall be present during or participate in the deliberations or voting on the final decision. Provided, however, that during the course of the deliberations the Board may seek or obtain legal advice of its counsel or make an inquiry on the record concerning either procedure or the merits of the case in the presence of all parties. (a) At the conclusion of the deliberations, the vote and decision of the Board shall be announced in open session, unless the sanction imposed by the decision is made confidential by statute, in which case it shall be announced in camera to the Respondent and counsel for the parties. The Board may take the matter under advisement and continue the deliberations until a date certain, if deemed necessary, due to the Board's agenda or the complexity of the issues.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 360-26-.04
O.C.G.A. Secs. 43-34-24, 50-13-3, 50-13-17, 50-13-41.
Original Rule entitled "Review of Initial Decision" adopted. F. May 12, 2006; eff. June 1, 2006.