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IC 4-21.5-3-1
Service of process; notice by publication
Sec. 1. (a) This section applies to:
(1) the giving of any notice;
(2) the service of any motion, ruling, order, or other filed item;
or
(3) the filing of any document with the ultimate authority;
in an administrative proceeding under this article.
(b) Except as otherwise provided by law, a person shall serve
papers by United States mail or personal service. If an agency mails
or personally serves a paper, the agency shall keep a record of the
time, date, and circumstances of the service.
(c) Service shall be made on a person or on the person's counsel
or other authorized representative of record in the proceeding.
Service on an artificial person or a person incompetent to receive
service shall be made on a person allowed to receive service under
the rules governing civil actions in the courts. If an ultimate authority
consists of more than one (1) individual, service on that ultimate
authority must be made on the chairperson or secretary of the
ultimate authority. A document to be filed with that ultimate
authority must be filed with the chairperson or secretary of the
ultimate authority.
(d) If the current address of a person is not ascertainable, service
shall be mailed to the last known address where the person resides or
has a principal place of business. If the identity, address, or existence
of a person is not ascertainable, or a law other than a rule allows,
service shall be made by a single publication in a newspaper of
general circulation in:
(1) the county in which the person resides, has a principal place
of business, or has property that is the subject of the
proceeding; or
(2) Marion County, if the place described in subdivision (1) is
not ascertainable or the place described in subdivision (1) is
outside Indiana and the person does not have a resident agent or
other representative of record in Indiana.
(e) A notice given by publication must include a statement
advising a person how the person may receive written notice of the
proceedings.
(f) The filing of a document with an ultimate authority is complete
on the earliest of the following dates that apply to the filing:
(1) The date on which the document is delivered to the ultimate
authority under subsection (c).
(2) The date of the postmark on the envelope containing the
document, if the document is mailed to the ultimate authority by
United States mail.
(3) The date on which the document is deposited with a private
carrier, as shown by a receipt issued by the carrier, if the
document is sent to the ultimate authority by private carrier.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.2;
P.L.33-1989, SEC.2; P.L.35-1989, SEC.2.
IC 4-21.5-3-2
Time computation
Sec. 2. (a) In computing any period of time under this article, the
day of the act, event, or default from which the designated period of
time begins to run is not included. The last day of the computed
period is to be included unless it is:
(1) a Saturday;
(2) a Sunday;
(3) a legal holiday under a state statute; or
(4) a day that the office in which the act is to be done is closed
during regular business hours.
(b) A period runs until the end of the next day after a day
described in subdivisions (1) through (4). If the period allowed is less
than seven (7) days, intermediate Saturdays, Sundays, state holidays,
and days on which the office in which the act is to be done is closed
during regular business hours are excluded from the calculation.
(c) A period of time under this article that commences when a
person is served with a paper, including the period in which a person
may petition for judicial review, commences with respect to a
particular person on the earlier of the date that:
(1) the person is personally served with the notice; or
(2) a notice for the person is deposited in the United States
mail.
(d) If section 1(d) of this chapter applies, a period of time under
this article commences when a notice for the person is published in
a newspaper.
(e) If a notice is served through the United States mail, three (3)
days must be added to a period that commences upon service of that
notice.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-3
Notice of orders; additional proceedings; effectiveness; stays
Sec. 3. (a) An agency shall give notice concerning an order under
section 4, 5, 6, or 8 of this chapter. An agency shall conduct
additional proceedings under this chapter if required by section 7 or
8 of this chapter. However, IC 4-21.5-4 applies to the notice and
proceedings necessary for emergency and other temporary orders.
(b) Notwithstanding IC 1-1-4-1, if:
(1) a panel of individuals responsible for an agency action has
a quorum of its members present, as specified by law; and
(2) a statute other than IC 1-1-4-1 does not specify the number
of votes necessary to take an agency action;
the panel may take the action by an affirmative vote of a majority of
the members present and voting. For the purposes of this subsection,
a member abstaining on a vote is not voting on the action.
IC 4-21.5-3-4
Notice required; licenses and personnel decisions; persons who
must be notified; contents
Sec. 4. (a) Notice must be given under this section concerning the
following:
(1) The grant, renewal, restoration, transfer, or denial of a
license by the bureau of motor vehicles under IC 9.
(2) The grant, renewal, restoration, transfer, or denial of a
noncommercial fishing or hunting license by the department of
natural resources under IC 14.
(3) The grant, renewal, restoration, transfer, or denial of a
license by a board described in IC 25-1-8-1.
(4) The grant, renewal, suspension, revocation, or denial of a
certificate of registration under IC 25-5.2.
(5) A personnel decision by an agency.
(6) The grant, renewal, restoration, transfer, or denial of a
license by the department of environmental management or the
commissioner of the department under the following:
(A) Environmental management laws (as defined in
IC 13-11-2-71) for the construction, installation, or
modification of:
(i) sewers and appurtenant facilities, devices, or structures
for the collection and transport of sewage (as defined in
IC 13-11-2-200) or storm water to a storage or treatment
facility or to a point of discharge into the environment; or
(ii) pipes, pumps, and appurtenant facilities, devices, or
structures that are part of a public water system (as defined
in IC 13-11-2-177.3) and that are used to transport water
to a storage or treatment facility or to distribute water to
the users of the public water system;
where a federal, state, or local governmental body has given
or will give public notice and has provided or will provide
an opportunity for public participation concerning the
activity that is the subject of the license.
(B) Environmental management laws (as defined in
IC 13-11-2-71) for the registration of a device or a piece of
equipment.
IC 4-21.5-3-5
Notice required; certain licensing and other decisions; persons who
must be notified; contents; effectiveness of order; stays
Sec. 5. (a) Notice shall be given under this section concerning the
following:
(1) The grant, renewal, restoration, transfer, or denial of a
license not described by section 4 of this chapter.
(2) The approval, renewal, or denial of a loan, grant of property
or services, bond, financial guarantee, or tax incentive.
(3) The grant or denial of a license in the nature of a variance
or exemption from a law.
(4) The determination of tax due or other liability.
(5) A determination of status.
(6) Any order that does not impose a sanction or terminate a
legal right, duty, privilege, immunity, or other legal interest.
(b) When an agency issues an order described in subsection (a),
the agency shall give a written notice of the order to the following
persons:
(1) Each person to whom the order is specifically directed.
(2) Each person to whom a law requires notice to be given.
(3) Each competitor who has applied to the agency for a
mutually exclusive license, if issuance is the subject of the
order and the competitor's application has not been denied in an
order for which all rights to judicial review have been waived
or exhausted.
(4) Each person who has provided the agency with a written
request for notification of the order, if the request:
(A) describes the subject of the order with reasonable
particularity; and
(B) is delivered to the agency at least seven (7) days before
the day that notice is given under this section.
(5) Each person who has a substantial and direct proprietary
interest in the subject of the order.
(6) Each person whose absence as a party in the proceeding
concerning the order would deny another party complete relief
in the proceeding or who claims an interest related to the
subject of the order and is so situated that the disposition of the
matter, in the person's absence, may:
(A) as a practical matter impair or impede the person's
ability to protect that interest; or
(B) leave any other person who is a party to a proceeding
concerning the order subject to a substantial risk of incurring
multiple or otherwise inconsistent obligations by reason of
the person's claimed interest.
A person who is entitled to notice under this subsection is not a party
to any proceeding resulting from the grant of a petition for review
under section 7 of this chapter unless the person is designated as a
party in the record of the proceeding.
(c) The notice required by subsection (a) must include the
following:
(1) A brief description of the order.
(2) A brief explanation of the available procedures and the time
limit for seeking administrative review of the order under
section 7 of this chapter.
(3) A brief explanation of how the person may obtain notices of
any prehearing conferences, preliminary hearings, hearings,
stays, and any orders disposing of the proceedings without
intervening in the proceeding, if a petition for review is granted
under section 7 of this chapter.
(4) Any other information required by law.
(d) An agency issuing an order under this section or conducting
an administrative review of the order shall give notice of any:
(1) prehearing conference;
(2) preliminary hearing;
(3) hearing;
(4) stay; or
(5) order disposing of all proceedings;
concerning the order to a person notified under subsection (b) who
requests these notices in the manner specified under subsection
(c)(3).
(e) If a statute requires an agency to solicit comments from the
public in a nonevidentiary public hearing before issuing an order
described by subsection (a), the agency shall announce at the opening
and the close of the public hearing how a person may receive notice
of the order under subsection (b)(4).
(f) If a petition for review and a petition for stay of effectiveness
of an order described in subsection (a) has not been filed, the order
is effective fifteen (15) days (or any longer period during which a
person may, by statute, seek administrative review of the order) after
the order is served. If both a petition for review and a petition for
stay of effectiveness are filed before the order becomes effective, any
part of the order that is within the scope of the petition for stay is
stayed for an additional fifteen (15) days. Any part of the order that
is not within the scope of the petition is not stayed. The order takes
effect regardless of whether the persons described by subsection
(b)(5) or (b)(6) have been served. An agency shall make a good faith
effort to identify and notify these persons, and the agency has the
burden of persuasion that it has done so. The agency may request that
the applicant for the order assist in the identification of these
persons. Failure to notify any of these persons is not grounds for
invalidating an order, unless an unnotified person is substantially
prejudiced by the lack of notice. The burden of persuasion as to
substantial prejudice is on the unnotified person.
(g) If a timely and sufficient application has been made for
renewal of a license with reference to any activity of a continuing
nature and review is granted under section 7 of this chapter, the
existing license does not expire until the agency has disposed of a
proceeding under this chapter concerning the renewal, unless a
statute other than this article provides otherwise. This subsection
does not preclude an agency from issuing, under IC 4-21.5-4, an
emergency or other temporary order with respect to the license.
(h) On the motion of any party or other person having a pending
petition for intervention in the proceeding, an administrative law
judge shall, as soon as practicable, conduct a preliminary hearing to
determine whether the order should be stayed. The burden of proof
in the preliminary hearing is on the person seeking the stay. The
administrative law judge may stay the order in whole or in part. The
order concerning the stay may be issued before or after the order
described in subsection (a) becomes effective. The resulting order
concerning the stay shall be served on the parties, any person who
has a pending petition for intervention in the proceeding, and any
person who has requested notice under subsection (d). It must
include a statement of the facts and law on which it is based.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.4.
IC 4-21.5-3-6
Notice required; persons who must receive notice; contents;
effectiveness of order; stay, preliminary hearing, and resulting
order
Sec. 6. (a) Notice shall be given under this section concerning the
following:
(1) A safety order under IC 22-8-1.1.
(2) Any order that:
(A) imposes a sanction on a person or terminates a legal
right, duty, privilege, immunity, or other legal interest of a
person;
(B) is not described in section 4 or 5 of this chapter or
IC 4-21.5-4; and
(C) by statute becomes effective without a proceeding under
this chapter if there is no request for a review of the order
within a specified period after the order is issued or served.
(3) A notice of program reimbursement or equivalent
determination or other notice regarding a hospital's
reimbursement issued by the office of Medicaid policy and
planning or by a contractor of the office of Medicaid policy and
planning regarding a hospital's year end cost settlement.
(4) A determination of audit findings or an equivalent
determination by the office of Medicaid policy and planning or
by a contractor of the office of Medicaid policy and planning
arising from a Medicaid postpayment or concurrent audit of a
hospital's Medicaid claims.
(5) A license revocation under:
(A) IC 24-4.5-3;
(B) IC 28-1-29;
(C) IC 28-7-5;
(D) IC 28-8-4; or
IC 4-21.5-3-7
Review; petition; denial of petition; preliminary hearing
Sec. 7. (a) To qualify for review of a personnel action to which
IC 4-15-2 applies, a person must comply with IC 4-15-2-35 or
IC 4-15-2-35.5. To qualify for review of any other order described in
section 4, 5, or 6 of this chapter, a person must petition for review in
a writing that does the following:
(1) States facts demonstrating that:
(A) the petitioner is a person to whom the order is
specifically directed;
(B) the petitioner is aggrieved or adversely affected by the
order; or
IC 4-21.5-3-8
Sanctions; temporary orders
Sec. 8. (a) An agency may issue a sanction or terminate a legal
right, duty, privilege, immunity, or other legal interest not described
by section 4, 5, or 6 of this chapter only after conducting a
proceeding under this chapter. However, this subsection does not
preclude an agency from issuing, under IC 4-21.5-4, an emergency
or other temporary order concerning the subject of the proceeding.
(b) When an agency seeks to issue an order that is described by
subsection (a), the agency shall serve a complaint upon:
(1) each person to whom any resulting order will be specifically
directed; and
(2) any other person required by law to be notified.
A person notified under this subsection is not a party to the
proceeding unless the person is a person against whom any resulting
order will be specifically directed or the person is designated by the
agency as a party in the record of the proceeding.
(c) The complaint required by subsection (b) must include the
following:
(1) A short, plain statement showing that the pleader is entitled
to an order.
is disqualified or becomes unavailable for any other reason, the
substitute must be appointed in accordance with subsection (a).
(f) Any action taken by a duly appointed substitute for a
disqualified or unavailable administrative law judge is as effective
as if taken by the latter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.7.
IC 4-21.5-3-10
Disqualification of administrative law judge
Sec. 10. Any individual serving or designated to serve alone or
with others as an administrative law judge is subject to
disqualification for:
(1) bias, prejudice, or interest in the outcome of a proceeding;
(2) failure to dispose of the subject of a proceeding in an
orderly and reasonably prompt manner after a written request
by a party; or
(3) any cause for which a judge of a court may be disqualified.
Nothing in this subsection prohibits an individual who is an
employee of an agency from serving as an administrative law judge.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-11
Ex parte communications; violations
Sec. 11. (a) Except as provided in subsection (b) or unless
required for the disposition of ex parte matters specifically
authorized by statute, an administrative law judge serving in a
proceeding may not communicate, directly or indirectly, regarding
any issue in the proceeding while the proceeding is pending, with:
(1) any party;
(2) any individual who has a direct or indirect interest in the
outcome of the proceeding;
(3) any individual who presided at a previous stage of the
proceeding; or
(4) any individual who is prohibited from assisting the
administrative law judge under section 13 of this chapter;
without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate in the
communication.
(b) A member of a multimember panel of administrative law
judges may communicate with other members of the panel regarding
a matter pending before the panel, and any administrative law judge
may receive aid from staff assistants. However, a staff assistant may
not communicate to an administrative law judge any:
(1) ex parte communications of a type that the administrative
law judge would be prohibited from receiving under subsection
(a); or
(2) information that would furnish, augment, diminish, or
modify the evidence in the record.
(c) Unless required for the disposition of ex parte matters
specifically authorized by statute, a person described by subsection
(a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4) may not communicate, directly or
indirectly, in connection with any issue in that proceeding while the
proceeding is pending, with any person serving as administrative law
judge without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate in
the communication.
(d) If, before serving as administrative law judge in a proceeding,
an individual receives an ex parte communication of a type that
would not properly be received while serving, the individual,
promptly after starting to serve, shall disclose the communication in
the manner prescribed in subsection (e).
(e) An administrative law judge who receives an ex parte
communication in violation of this section shall:
(1) place on the record of the pending matter all written
communications received, all written responses to the
communications, and a memorandum stating the substance of
all oral communications received, all responses made, and the
identity of each individual from whom the administrative law
judge received an ex parte communication; and
(2) advise all parties that these matters have been placed on the
record.
Any person described by subsection (a)(1), (a)(2), (a)(3), or (a)(4)
shall be allowed to rebut a charge of wrongful ex parte
communication upon requesting the opportunity for rebuttal within
fifteen (15) days after notice of the communication.
(f) If necessary to eliminate the effect of an ex parte
communication received in violation of this section, an
administrative law judge who receives the communication may be
disqualified and the portions of the record pertaining to the
communication may be corrected, modified, or preserved by
protective order.
(g) A violation of this section is subject to the sanctions under
sections 36 and 37 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.8.
IC 4-21.5-3-12
Administrative law judge; prohibited acts; disqualification
Sec. 12. An administrative law judge who:
(1) comments publicly, except as to hearing schedules or
procedures, about pending or impending proceedings; or
(2) engages in financial or business dealings that tend to:
(A) reflect adversely on the administrative law judge's
impartiality;
(B) interfere with the proper performance of the
administrative law judge's duties;
(C) exploit the administrative law judge's position; or
(D) involve the administrative law judge in frequent
financial or business dealings with attorneys or other persons
who are likely to come before the administrative law judge;
is subject to disqualification. A violation of this section is subject to
the sanctions under sections 36 and 37 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-14
Record; hearing on motion; burden of proof
Sec. 14. (a) An administrative law judge conducting a proceeding
shall keep a record of the administrative law judge's proceedings
under this article.
(b) If a motion is based on facts not otherwise appearing in the
record for the proceeding, the administrative law judge may hear the
matter on affidavits presented by the respective parties or the
administrative law judge may direct that the matter be heard wholly
or partly on oral testimony or depositions.
(c) At each stage of the proceeding, the agency or other person
requesting that an agency take action or asserting an affirmative
defense specified by law has the burden of persuasion and the burden
of going forward with the proof of the request or affirmative defense.
Before the hearing on which the party intends to assert it, a party
shall, to the extent possible, disclose any affirmative defense
specified by law on which the party intends to rely. If a prehearing
conference is held in the proceeding, a party notified of the
conference shall disclose the party's affirmative defense in the
conference.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.9.
IC 4-21.5-3-15
Participation in proceeding
Sec. 15. (a) Any party may participate in a proceeding in person
or, if the party is not an individual or is incompetent to participate,
by a duly authorized representative.
(b) Whether or not participating in person, any party may be
advised and represented at the party's own expense by counsel or,
unless prohibited by law, by another representative.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.33-1989, SEC.3.
IC 4-21.5-3-16
Interpreters
Sec. 16. (a) A person who:
(1) cannot speak or understand the English language or who
because of hearing, speaking, or other impairment has difficulty
in communicating with other persons; and
(2) is a party or witness in any proceeding under this article;
is entitled to an interpreter to assist the person throughout the
proceeding under this article.
(b) The interpreter may be retained by the person or may be
appointed by the agency before which the proceeding is pending. If
an interpreter is appointed by the agency, the fee for the services of
the interpreter shall be set by the agency. The fee shall be paid from
any funds available to the agency or be paid in any other manner
ordered by the agency.
(c) Any agency may inquire into the qualifications and integrity
of any interpreter and may disqualify any person from serving as an
interpreter.
(d) Every interpreter for another person in a proceeding shall take
the following oath:
Do you affirm, under penalties of perjury, that you will justly,
truly, and impartially interpret to _______ the oath about to be
administered to him (her), the questions that may be asked him (her),
and the answers that he (she) shall give to the questions, relative to
the cause now under consideration before this agency?
(e) IC 35-44-2-1 concerning perjury applies to an interpreter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-17
Opportunity to file documents; copies
Sec. 17. (a) The administrative law judge, at appropriate stages of
a proceeding, shall give all parties full opportunity to file pleadings,
motions, and objections and submit offers of settlement.
(b) The administrative law judge, at appropriate stages of a
proceeding, may give all parties full opportunity to file briefs,
proposed findings of fact, and proposed orders.
(c) A party shall serve copies of any filed item on all parties.
(d) The administrative law judge shall serve copies of all notices,
orders, and other papers generated by the administrative law judge
on all parties. The administrative law judge shall give notice of
preliminary hearings, prehearing conferences, hearings, stays, and
orders disposing of the proceeding to persons described by section
5(d) of this chapter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-18
Prehearing conference; notice
Sec. 18. (a) The administrative law judge for the hearing, subject
to the agency's rules, may, on the administrative law judge's own
motion, and shall, on the motion of a party, conduct a prehearing
conference. The administrative law judge may deny a motion for a
prehearing conference if the administrative law judge has previously
conducted a prehearing conference in the proceeding.
(b) This section and section 19 of this chapter apply if the
conference is conducted.
(c) The administrative law judge for the prehearing conference
shall set the time and place of the conference and give reasonable
written notice to the following:
(1) All parties.
(2) All persons who have filed written petitions to intervene in
the matter.
(3) All persons entitled to notice under any law.
(d) The initial prehearing conference notice in a proceeding must
include the following:
(1) The names and mailing addresses of all known parties and
other persons to whom notice is being given by the
administrative law judge.
(2) The names and mailing addresses of all publications used to
provide notice under this section.
(3) The name, official title, and mailing address of any counsel
or employee who has been designated to appear for the agency
and a telephone number through which the counsel or employee
can be reached.
(4) The official file or other reference number, the name of the
proceeding, and a general description of the subject matter.
(5) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the prehearing
conference.
(6) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under
which the prehearing conference and the hearing are to be held.
(7) The name, official title, and mailing address of the
administrative law judge for the prehearing conference and a
telephone number through which information concerning
hearing schedules and procedures may be obtained.
(8) A statement that a party who fails to attend or participate in
a prehearing conference, hearing, or other later stage of the
proceeding may be held in default or have a proceeding
dismissed under section 24 of this chapter.
(e) Any subsequent prehearing conference notice in the
proceeding may omit the information described in subsections (d)(1),
(d)(2), (d)(3), (d)(6), and (d)(8).
(f) Any notice under this section may include any other matters
that the administrative law judge considers desirable to expedite the
proceedings.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.10.
IC 4-21.5-3-19
Prehearing conference; electronic means; matters considered;
prehearing order on pleadings
Sec. 19. (a) This section and section 18 of this chapter apply to
prehearing conferences.
(b) To expedite a decision on pending motions and other issues,
the administrative law judge may conduct all or part of the
prehearing conference by telephone, television, or other electronic
means if each participant in the conference has an opportunity:
(1) to participate in;
(2) to hear; and
(3) if technically feasible, to see;
the entire proceeding while it is taking place.
(c) The administrative law judge shall conduct the prehearing
conference, as may be appropriate, to deal with such matters as the
following:
(1) Resolution of the issues in the proceeding under section 23
of this chapter.
(2) Exploration of settlement possibilities.
(3) Preparation of stipulations.
(4) Clarification of issues.
(5) Rulings on identity and limitation of the number of
witnesses.
(6) Objections to proffers of evidence.
(7) A determination of the extent to which direct evidence,
rebuttal evidence, or cross-examination will be presented in
written form.
(8) The order of presentation of evidence and
cross-examination.
(9) Rulings regarding issuance of subpoenas, discovery orders,
and protective orders.
(10) Such other matters as will promote the orderly and prompt
conduct of the hearing.
The administrative law judge shall issue a prehearing order
incorporating the matters determined at the prehearing conference.
(d) If a prehearing conference is not held, the administrative law
judge for the hearing may issue a prehearing order, based on the
pleadings, to regulate the conduct of the proceedings.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-20
Hearing; time and place; notice
Sec. 20. (a) The administrative law judge for the hearing shall set
the time and place of the hearing and give reasonable written notice
to all parties and to all persons who have filed written petitions to
intervene in the matter. Unless a shorter notice is required to comply
with any law or is stipulated by all parties and persons filing written
requests for intervention, an agency shall give at least five (5) days
notice of the hearing.
(b) The notice must include a copy of any prehearing order
rendered in the matter.
(c) To the extent not included in a prehearing order accompanying
it the initial hearing notice in a proceeding must include the
following:
(1) The names and mailing addresses of all parties and other
persons to whom notice is being given by the administrative law
judge.
(2) The name, official title, and mailing address of any counsel
or employee who has been designated to appear for the agency
and a telephone number through which the counsel or employee
can be reached.
(3) The official file or other reference number, the name of the
proceeding, and a general description of the subject matter.
(4) A statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing.
(5) A statement of the legal authority and jurisdiction under
which the hearing is to be held.
(6) The name, official title, and mailing address of the
administrative law judge and a telephone number through which
information concerning hearing schedules and procedures may
be obtained.
(7) A statement of the issues involved and, to the extent known
to the administrative law judge, of the matters asserted by the
parties.
(8) A statement that a party who fails to attend or participate in
a prehearing conference, hearing, or other later stage of the
proceeding may be held in default or have a proceeding
dismissed under section 24 of this chapter.
(d) Subsequent hearing notices in the proceeding may omit the
information described in subsections (c)(1), (c)(2), (c)(5), and (c)(8).
(e) Any notice under this section may include any other matters
the administrative law judge considers desirable to expedite the
proceedings.
(f) The administrative law judge shall give notice to persons other
than parties and petitioners for intervention who are entitled to notice
under any law. Notice under this subsection may include all types of
information provided in subsections (a) through (e) or may consist of
a brief statement indicating:
(1) the subject matter, parties, time, place, and nature of the
hearing;
(2) the manner in which copies of the notice to the parties may
be inspected and copied;
(3) the name of the administrative law judge; and
(4) a telephone number through which information concerning
proceeding hearing schedules and procedures may be obtained.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.11.
IC 4-21.5-3-22
Administrative orders; enforcement
Sec. 22. (a) The administrative law judge at the request of any
party or an agency shall, and upon the administrative law judge's own
motion may, issue:
(1) subpoenas;
(2) discovery orders; and
(3) protective orders;
IC 4-21.5-3-23
Summary judgment
Sec. 23. (a) A party may, at any time after a matter is assigned to
an administrative law judge, move for a summary judgment in the
party's favor as to all or any part of the issues in a proceeding. The
motion must be supported with affidavits or other evidence permitted
under this section and set forth specific facts showing that there is
not a genuine issue in dispute.
(b) The motion must be served at least five (5) days before the
time fixed for the hearing on the motion. The adverse party may
serve opposing affidavits before the day of hearing. The
administrative law judge may direct the parties to give oral argument
on the motion. The judgment sought shall be rendered immediately
if the pleadings, depositions, answers to interrogatories, and
admissions on file, together with the affidavits and testimony, if any,
show that a genuine issue as to any material fact does not exist and
that the moving party is entitled to a judgment as a matter of law. A
summary judgment may be rendered upon fewer than all the issues
or claims (such as the issue of penalties alone) although there is a
genuine issue as to damages or liability, as the case may be. A
summary judgment upon fewer than all the issues involved in a
proceeding or with respect to fewer than all the claims or parties is
not a final order. The administrative law judge shall designate the
issues or claims upon which the judge finds no genuine issue as to
any material facts. Summary judgment may not be granted as a
matter of course because the opposing party fails to offer opposing
affidavits or evidence, but the administrative law judge shall make
a determination from the affidavits and testimony offered upon the
matters placed in issue by the pleadings or the evidence. If it appears
from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that the party
cannot for reasons stated present by affidavit facts essential to justify
the party's opposition, the administrative law judge may make any
order that is just.
(c) If on motion under this section no order is rendered upon the
whole case or for all the relief asked and a hearing is necessary, the
administrative law judge at the hearing of the motion, by examining
the pleadings and the evidence before it and by interrogating any
person, shall if practicable ascertain:
(1) what material facts exist without substantial controversy;
and
IC 4-21.5-3-24
Default or dismissal
Sec. 24. (a) At any stage of a proceeding, if a party fails to:
(1) file a responsive pleading required by statute or rule;
(2) attend or participate in a prehearing conference, hearing, or
other stage of the proceeding; or
(3) take action on a matter for a period of sixty (60) days, if the
party is responsible for taking the action;
the administrative law judge may serve upon all parties written
notice of a proposed default or dismissal order, including a statement
of the grounds.
(b) Within seven (7) days after service of a proposed default or
dismissal order, the party against whom it was issued may file a
written motion requesting that the proposed default order not be
imposed and stating the grounds relied upon. During the time within
which a party may file a written motion under this subsection, the
administrative law judge may adjourn the proceedings or conduct
them without the participation of the party against whom a proposed
default order was issued, having due regard for the interest of justice
and the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings.
(c) If the party has failed to file a written motion under subsection
(b), the administrative law judge shall issue the default or dismissal
order. If the party has filed a written motion under subsection (b), the
administrative law judge may either enter the order or refuse to enter
the order.
(d) After issuing a default order, the administrative law judge
shall conduct any further proceedings necessary to complete the
proceeding without the participation of the party in default and shall
determine all issues in the adjudication, including those affecting the
defaulting party. The administrative law judge may conduct
proceedings in accordance with section 23 of this chapter to resolve
any issue of fact.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-25
Conduct of hearing; procedure
Sec. 25. (a) This section and section 26 of this chapter govern the
conduct of any hearing held by an administrative law judge.
(b) The administrative law judge shall regulate the course of the
proceedings in conformity with any prehearing order and in an
informal manner without recourse to the technical, common law rules
of evidence applicable to civil actions in the courts.
(c) To the extent necessary for full disclosure of all relevant facts
and issues, the administrative law judge shall afford to all parties the
opportunity to respond, present evidence and argument, conduct
cross-examination, and submit rebuttal evidence, except as restricted
by a limitation under subsection (d) or by the prehearing order.
(d) The administrative law judge may, after a prehearing order is
issued under section 19 of this chapter, impose conditions upon a
party necessary to avoid unreasonably burdensome or repetitious
presentations by the party, such as the following:
(1) Limiting the party's participation to designated issues in
which the party has a particular interest demonstrated by the
petition.
(2) Limiting the party's use of discovery, cross-examination,
and other procedures so as to promote the orderly, prompt, and
just conduct of the proceeding.
(3) Requiring two (2) or more parties to combine their
presentations of evidence and argument, cross-examination,
discovery, and other participation in the proceedings.
If a person is allowed to intervene in the proceeding after the
commencement of a hearing under this section, the administrative
law judge may prohibit the intervener from recalling any witness
who has been heard or reopening any matter that has been resolved,
unless the intervener did not receive a notice required by this chapter
or the intervener presents facts that demonstrate that fraud, perjury,
or an abuse of discretion has occurred. Any proceedings conducted
before the giving of a notice required by this chapter are voidable
upon the motion of the party who failed to receive the notice.
(e) The administrative law judge may administer oaths and
affirmations and rule on any offer of proof or other motion.
(f) The administrative law judge may give nonparties an
opportunity to present oral or written statements. If the
administrative law judge proposes to consider a statement by a
nonparty, the judge shall give all parties an opportunity to challenge
or rebut it and, on motion of any party, the judge shall require the
statement to be given under oath or affirmation.
(g) The administrative law judge shall have the hearing recorded
at the agency's expense. The agency is not required, at its expense,
to prepare a transcript, unless required to do so by law. Any party, at
the party's expense, may cause a reporter approved by the agency to
prepare a transcript from the agency's record, or cause additional
recordings to be made during the hearing if the making of the
additional recordings does not cause distraction or disruption.
Notwithstanding IC 5-14-3-8, an agency may charge a person who
requests that an agency provide a transcript (other than for judicial
review under IC 4-21.5-5-13) the reasonable costs of preparing the
transcript.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-26
Conduct of hearing; evidence
Sec. 26. (a) This section and section 25 of this chapter govern the
conduct of any hearing conducted by an administrative law judge.
Upon proper objection, the administrative law judge shall exclude
evidence that is irrelevant, immaterial, unduly repetitious, or
excludable on constitutional or statutory grounds or on the basis of
evidentiary privilege recognized in the courts. In the absence of
proper objection, the administrative law judge may exclude
objectionable evidence. The administrative law judge may admit
hearsay evidence. If not objected to, the hearsay evidence may form
the basis for an order. However, if the evidence is properly objected
to and does not fall within a recognized exception to the hearsay rule,
the resulting order may not be based solely upon the hearsay
evidence.
(b) All testimony of parties and witnesses must be made under
oath or affirmation.
(c) Statements presented by nonparties in accordance with section
25 of this chapter may be received as evidence.
(d) Any part of the evidence may be received in written form if
doing so will expedite the hearing without substantial prejudice to
the interests of any party.
(e) Documentary evidence may be received in the form of a copy
or excerpt. Upon request, parties shall be given an opportunity to
compare the copy with the original if available.
(f) Official notice may be taken of the following:
(1) Any fact that could be judicially noticed in the courts.
(2) The record of other proceedings before the agency.
(3) Technical or scientific matters within the agency's
specialized knowledge.
(4) Codes or standards that have been adopted by an agency of
the United States or this state.
IC 4-21.5-3-27
Final orders; findings of fact and conclusions of law
Sec. 27. (a) If the administrative law judge is the ultimate
authority for the agency, the ultimate authority's order disposing of
a proceeding is a final order. If the administrative law judge is not
the ultimate authority, the administrative law judge's order disposing
of the proceeding becomes a final order when affirmed under section
29 of this chapter. Regardless of whether the order is final, it must
comply with this section.
(b) This subsection applies only to an order not subject to
subsection (c). The order must include, separately stated, findings of
fact for all aspects of the order, including the remedy prescribed and,
if applicable, the action taken on a petition for stay of effectiveness.
Findings of ultimate fact must be accompanied by a concise
statement of the underlying basic facts of record to support the
findings. The order must also include a statement of the available
procedures and time limit for seeking administrative review of the
order (if administrative review is available).
(c) This subsection applies only to an order of the ultimate
authority entered under IC 13, IC 14, or IC 25. The order must
include separately stated findings of fact and, if a final order,
conclusions of law for all aspects of the order, including the remedy
prescribed and, if applicable, the action taken on a petition for stay
of effectiveness. Findings of ultimate fact must be accompanied by
a concise statement of the underlying basic facts of record to support
the findings. Conclusions of law must consider prior final orders
(other than negotiated orders) of the ultimate authority under the
same or similar circumstances if those prior final orders are raised on
the record in writing by a party and must state the reasons for
deviations from those prior orders. The order must also include a
statement of the available procedures and time limit for seeking
administrative review of the order (if administrative review is
available).
(d) Findings must be based exclusively upon the evidence of
record in the proceeding and on matters officially noticed in that
proceeding. Findings must be based upon the kind of evidence that
is substantial and reliable. The administrative law judge's experience,
technical competence, and specialized knowledge may be used in
evaluating evidence.
(e) A substitute administrative law judge may issue the order
under this section upon the record that was generated by a previous
administrative law judge.
(f) The administrative law judge may allow the parties a
designated amount of time after conclusion of the hearing for the
submission of proposed findings.
(g) An order under this section shall be issued in writing within
ninety (90) days after conclusion of the hearing or after submission
of proposed findings in accordance with subsection (f), unless this
period is waived or extended with the written consent of all parties
or for good cause shown.
(h) The administrative law judge shall have copies of the order
under this section delivered to each party and to the ultimate
authority for the agency (if it is not rendered by the ultimate
authority).
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.25-1997, SEC.1;
P.L.2-1998, SEC.10.
IC 4-21.5-3-28
Final order; authority to issue; proceedings
Sec. 28. (a) This section applies to proceedings under sections 29,
30, and 31 of this chapter.
(b) The ultimate authority or its designee shall conduct
proceedings to issue a final order. A designee may be selected in
advance of the commencement of any particular proceeding for a
generally described class of proceedings or may be selected for a
particular proceeding. A general designation may provide procedures
for the assignment of designated individuals to particular
proceedings.
(c) Any individual serving alone or with others in a proceeding
may be disqualified for any of the reasons that an administrative law
judge may be disqualified. The procedures in section 9 of this
chapter apply to the disqualification and substitution of the
individual.
(d) Motions and petitions submitted by a party to the ultimate
authority shall be served on each party to the proceeding and to any
person described by section 5(d) of this chapter.
(e) In the conduct of its proceedings, the ultimate authority or its
designee shall afford each party an opportunity to present briefs. The
ultimate authority or its designee may:
(1) afford each party an opportunity to present oral argument;
(2) have a transcript prepared, at the agency's expense, of any
portion of the record of a proceeding that the ultimate authority
or its designee considers necessary;
(3) exercise the powers of an administrative law judge to hear
additional evidence under sections 25 and 26 of this chapter; or
(4) allow nonparties to participate in a proceeding in
accordance with section 25 of this chapter.
Sections 15 and 16 of this chapter concerning representation and
interpreters apply to the proceedings of the ultimate authority or its
designee.
IC 4-21.5-3-29
Orders from other than ultimate authority; review by ultimate
authority; objections
Sec. 29. (a) This section does not apply if the administrative law
judge issuing an order under section 27 of this chapter is the ultimate
authority for the agency.
(b) After an administrative law judge issues an order under
section 27 of this chapter, the ultimate authority or its designee shall
issue a final order:
(1) affirming;
(2) modifying; or
(3) dissolving;
the administrative law judge's order. The ultimate authority or its
designee may remand the matter, with or without instructions, to an
administrative law judge for further proceedings.
(c) In the absence of an objection or notice under subsection (d)
or (e), the ultimate authority or its designee shall affirm the order.
(d) To preserve an objection to an order of an administrative law
judge for judicial review, a party must not be in default under this
chapter and must object to the order in a writing that:
(1) identifies the basis of the objection with reasonable
particularity; and
(2) is filed with the ultimate authority responsible for reviewing
the order within fifteen (15) days (or any longer period set by
statute) after the order is served on the petitioner.
(e) Without an objection under subsection (d), the ultimate
authority or its designee may serve written notice of its intent to
review any issue related to the order. The notice shall be served on
all parties and all other persons described by section 5(d) of this
chapter. The notice must identify the issues that the ultimate
authority or its designee intends to review.
(f) A final order disposing of a proceeding or an order remanding
an order to an administrative law judge for further proceedings shall
be issued within sixty (60) days after the latter of:
IC 4-21.5-3-30
Review by another agency
Sec. 30. If, under a statute, an agency may review the final order
of another agency, the review shall be treated as if it was a
continuous proceeding before a single agency. For the purposes of
this review and the application of section 3 of this chapter
concerning the effectiveness of an order, a final order of the first
agency shall be treated as a nonfinal order of an administrative law
judge, and the second agency shall review the order under section 29
of this chapter. To preserve an issue for judicial review, a party must
comply with section 29(d) of this chapter before the second agency.
The ultimate authority for the second agency or its designee may
conduct proceedings under section 31 of this chapter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-31
Modification of final order
Sec. 31. (a) An agency has jurisdiction to modify a final order
under this section before the earlier of the following:
(1) Thirty (30) days after the agency has served the final order
under section 27, 29, or 30 of this chapter.
(2) Another agency assumes jurisdiction over the final order
under section 30 of this chapter.
(3) A court assumes jurisdiction over the final order under
IC 4-21.5-5.
(b) A party may petition the ultimate authority for an agency for
a stay of effectiveness of a final order. The ultimate authority or its
designee may, before or after the order becomes effective, stay the
final order in whole or in part.
(c) A party may petition the ultimate authority for an agency for
a rehearing of a final order. The ultimate authority or its designee
may grant a petition for rehearing only if the petitioning party
demonstrates that:
(1) the party is not in default under this chapter;
(2) newly discovered material evidence exists; and
(3) the evidence could not, by due diligence, have been
discovered and produced at the hearing in the proceeding.
The rehearing may be limited to the issues directly affected by the
newly discovered evidence. If the rehearing is conducted by a person
other than the ultimate authority, section 29 of this chapter applies to
review of the order resulting from the rehearing.
(d) Clerical mistakes and other errors resulting from oversight or
omission in a final order or other part of the record of a proceeding
may be corrected by an ultimate authority or its designee on the
motion of any party or on the motion of the ultimate authority or its
designee.
(e) An action of a petitioning party or an agency under this section
neither tolls the period in which a party may object to a second
agency under section 30 of this chapter nor tolls the period in which
a party may petition for judicial review under IC 4-21.5-5. However,
if a rehearing is granted under subsection (c), these periods are tolled
and a new period begins on the date that a new final order is served.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.14.
IC 4-21.5-3-32
Final orders; public inspection; indexing; deletions; precedent
Sec. 32. (a) Each agency shall make all written final orders
available for public inspection and copying under IC 5-14-3. The
agency shall index final orders that are issued after June 30, 1987, by
name and subject. An agency shall index an order issued before July
1, 1987, if a person submits a written request to the agency that the
order be indexed. An agency shall delete from these orders
identifying details to the extent required by IC 5-14-3 or other law.
In each case, the justification for the deletion must be explained in
writing and attached to the order.
(b) An agency may not rely on a written final order as precedent
to the detriment of any person until the order has been made
available for public inspection and indexed in the manner described
in subsection (a). However, this subsection does not apply to any
person who has actual timely knowledge of the order. The burden of
proving that knowledge is on the agency.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.15.
IC 4-21.5-3-33
Records
Sec. 33. (a) An agency shall maintain an official record of each
proceeding under this chapter.
(b) The agency record of the proceeding consists only of the
following:
(1) Notices of all proceedings.
(2) Any prehearing order.
(3) Any motions, pleadings, briefs, petitions, requests, and
intermediate rulings.
(4) Evidence received or considered.
(5) A statement of matters officially noticed.
(6) Proffers of proof and objections and rulings on them.
(7) Proposed findings, requested orders, and exceptions.
(8) The record prepared for the administrative law judge or for
the ultimate authority or its designee under sections 28 through
31 of this chapter, at a hearing, and any transcript of the record
considered before final disposition of the proceeding.
(9) Any final order, nonfinal order, or order on rehearing.
(10) Staff memoranda or data submitted to the administrative
law judge or a person presiding in a proceeding under sections
28 through 31 of this chapter.
(11) Matters placed on the record after an ex parte
communication.
(c) Except to the extent that a statute provides otherwise, the
agency record described by subsection (b) constitutes the exclusive
basis for agency action in proceedings under this chapter and for
judicial review of a proceeding under this chapter.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-34
Informal procedures; rules
Sec. 34. An agency is encouraged to develop informal procedures
that are consistent with this article and make unnecessary more
elaborate proceedings under this article. An agency may adopt rules,
under IC 4-22-2, setting specific procedures to facilitate informal
settlement of matters. This section does not require any person to
settle a matter under the agency's informal procedures.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1. Amended by P.L.35-1987, SEC.16.
IC 4-21.5-3-35
Additional procedural rights; rules
Sec. 35. An agency may grant procedural rights to persons in
addition to those conferred by this article so long as the rights
conferred upon other persons by any law are not substantially
prejudiced. The agency may adopt rules, under IC 4-22-2, concerning
the nature and requirements of all procedures for requesting a
proceeding or engaging in a proceeding, so long as the rules are not
inconsistent with this article.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-36
Persons presiding in proceedings; violations
Sec. 36. An individual who:
(1) is serving alone or with others as an administrative law
judge or as a person presiding in a proceeding under sections 28
through 31 of this chapter; and
(2) knowingly or intentionally violates section 11, 12, or 13 of
this chapter;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.
IC 4-21.5-3-37
Aiding in violation
Sec. 37. A person who:
(1) aids, induces, or causes an individual serving alone or with
others as an administrative law judge or as a person presiding
in a proceeding under sections 28 through 31 of this chapter to
violate section 11, 12, or 13 of this chapter; and
(2) acts with the intent to:
(A) have the individual described in subdivision (1)
disqualified from serving in a proceeding; or
(B) influence the individual described in subdivision (1)
with respect to any issue in a proceeding;
commits a Class A misdemeanor.
As added by P.L.18-1986, SEC.1.