Title 29—Labor--Volume 1
PART 1955—PROCEDURES FOR WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL OF STATE PLANS
§ 1955.1   Purpose and scope.
(a) This part contains rules of practice and procedure for formal administrative proceedings on the withdrawal of initial or final approval of State plans in accordance with section 18(f) of the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (29 U.S.C. 667).
(b) These rules shall be construed to secure a prompt and just conclusion of the proceedings subject thereto.
§ 1955.2   Definitions.
(a) As used in this part unless the context clearly requires otherwise:
(1) Act means the Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970;
(2) Assistant Secretary means Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health;
(3) Commencement of a case under section 18(f) of the Act means, for the purpose of determining State jurisdiction following a final decision withdrawing approval of a plan, the issuance of a citation.
(4) Developmental step includes, but is not limited to, those items listed in the published developmental schedule, or any revisions thereto, for each plan. A developmental step also includes those items in the plan as approved under section 18(c) of the Act, as well as those items in the approval decision which are subject to evaluations (see e.g., approval of Michigan plan), which were deemed necessary to make the State program at least as effective as the Federal program within the 3 year developmental period. (See part 1953 of this chapter.)
(5) Final approval means approval of the State plan, or any modification thereof under section 18(e) of the Act and subpart D of 29 CFR part 1902.
(6) Initial approval means approval of a State plan, or any modification thereof under section 18(c) of the Act and subpart C of 29 CFR part 1902;
(7) Party includes the State agency or agencies designated to administer and enforce the State plan that is the subject of withdrawal proceedings, the Department of Labor, Occupational Safety and Health Administration (hereinafter called OSHA), represented by the Office of the Solicitor and any person participating in the proceedings pursuant to § 1955.17;
(8) Person means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, business trust, legal representative, an organized group of individuals, or an agency, authority, or instrumentality of the United States or of a State;
(9) Secretary means Secretary of Labor;
(10) Separable portion of a plan for purposes of withdrawal of approval generally means an issue as defined in 29 CFR 1902.2(c), i.e. , “an industrial, occupational or hazard grouping which is at least as comprehensive as a corresponding grouping contained in (i) one or more sections in subpart B or R of part 1910 of this chapter, or (ii) one or more of the remaining subparts of part 1910”: Provided, That wherever the Assistant Secretary has determined that other industrial, occupational or hazard groupings are administratively practicable, such groupings shall be considered separable portions of a plan.
(b) [Reserved]
§ 1955.3   General policy.
(a) The following circumstances shall be cause for initiation of proceedings under this part for withdrawal of approval of a State plan, or any portion thereof.
(1) Whenever the Assistant Secretary determines that under § 1902.2(b) of this chapter a State has not substantially completed the developmental steps of its plan at the end of three years from the date of commencement of operations, a withdrawal proceeding shall be instituted. Examples of a lack of substantial completion of developmental steps include but are not limited to the following:
(i) A failure to develop the necessary regulations and administrative guidelines for an “at least as effective” enforcement program;
(ii) Failure to promulgate all or a majority of the occupational safety and health standards in an issue covered by the plan; or
(iii) Failure to enact the required enabling legislation.
(2) Whenever the Assistant Secretary determines that there is no longer a reasonable expectation that a State plan will meet the criteria of § 1902.3 of this chapter involving the completion of developmental steps within the three year period immediately following commencement of operations, a withdrawal proceeding shall be instituted. Examples of a lack of reasonable expectation include but are not limited to the following:
(i) A failure to enact enabling legislation in the first two years following commencement of operations where the remaining developmental steps are dependent on the passage of enabling legislation and cannot be completed within one year; or
(ii) Repeal or substantial amendment of the enabling legislation by the State legislature so that the State program fails to meet the criteria in § 1902.3 of this chapter; or
(iii) Inability to complete the developmental steps within the indicated three year period.
(3) Whenever the Assistant Secretary determines that in the operation or administration of a State plan, or as a result of any modifications to a plan, there is a failure to comply substantially with any provision of the plan, including assurances contained in the plan, a withdrawal proceeding shall be instituted in a State which has received final approval under section 18(e) of the Act, and may be instituted in a State which has received initial approval under section 18(c) of the Act. Examples of a lack of substantial compliance include but are not limited to the following:
(i) Where a State over a period of time consistently fails to provide effective enforcement of standards;
(ii) Where the rights of employees are circumscribed in such a manner as to diminish the effectiveness of the program;
(iii) Where a State, without good cause, fails to continue to maintain its program in accordance with the appropriate changes in the Federal program;
(iv) Where a State fails to comply with the required assurances on a sufficient number of qualified personnel and/or adequate resources for administration and enforcement of the program; or
(v) Where, on the basis of actual operations, the Assistant Secretary determines that the criteria in section 18(c) of the Act are not being met, that the period of concurrent authority under section 18(e) of the Act should not be extended, and that final approval under section 18(e) of the Act should not be given.
(b) A State may, at any time both before or after a determination under section 18(e) of the Act, voluntarily withdraw its plan, or any portion thereof, by notifying the Assistant Secretary in writing setting forth the reasons for such withdrawal. Such notification shall be accompanied by a letter terminating the application for related grants authorized under section 23(g) of the Act in accordance with 29 CFR 1951.25(d). Upon receipt of the State notice the Assistant Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of withdrawal of approval of the State plan or portion thereof (see Montana notice 39 FR 2361, June 27, 1974).
(c) Approval of a portion of a plan may be withdrawn under any of the paragraphs in this section when it is determined that that portion is reasonably separable from the remainder of the plan in a manner consistent with the provisions in § 1902.2(c) of this chapter defining the scope of a State plan. As an example, such a partial withdrawal of approval would be considered appropriate where a State fails to adopt, without good cause shown, Federal standards within a separable issue, such as occupational health.
§ 1955.4   Effect of withdrawal of approval.
(a) After receipt of notice of withdrawal of approval of a State plan, such plan, or any part thereof, shall cease to be in effect and the provisions of the Federal Act shall apply within that State. But the State, in accordance with section 18(f) of the Act, may retain jurisdiction in any case commenced before receipt of the notice of withdrawal of approval of the plan, in order to enforce standards under the plan, whenever the issues involved in the case or cases pending do not relate to the reasons for withdrawal of the plan.
(b) Such notice of withdrawal of approval shall operate constructively as notice of termination of all related grants authorized under section 23(g) of the Act in accordance with 29 CFR 1951.25(c).
§ 1955.5   Petitions for withdrawal of approval.
(a) At any time following the initial approval of a State plan under section 18(c) of the Act, any interested person may petition the Assistant Secretary in writing to initiate proceedings for withdrawal of approval of the plan under section 18(f) of the Act and this part. The petition shall contain a statement of the grounds for initiating a withdrawal proceeding, including facts to support the petition.
(b)(1) The Assistant Secretary may request the petitioner for additional facts and may take such other actions as are considered appropriate such as:
(i) Publishing the petition for public comment;
(ii) Holding informal discussion on the issues raised by the petition with the State and other persons affected; or
(iii) Holding an informal hearing in accordance with § 1902.13 of this chapter.
(2) Any such petition shall be considered and acted upon within a reasonable time. Prompt notice shall be given of the denial in whole or in part of any petition and the notice shall be accompanied by a brief statement of the grounds for the denial. A denial of a petition does not preclude future action on those issues or any other issues raised regarding a State plan.
§ 1955.10   Publication of notice of formal proceeding.
(a) The Assistant Secretary, prior to any notice of a formal proceeding under this subpart, shall by letter, provide the State with an opportunity to show cause within 45 days why a proceeding should not be instituted for withdrawal of approval of a plan or any portion thereof. When a State fails to show cause why a formal proceeding for withdrawal of approval should not be instituted, the State shall be deemed to have waived its right to a formal proceeding under paragraph (b) of this section and the Assistant Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of withdrawal of approval of the State plan.
(b)(1) Whenever the Assistant Secretary, on the basis of a petition under § 1955.5 or on his own initiative, determines that approval of a State plan or any portion thereof should be withdrawn, and the State has not waived its right under § 1955.3(b) or paragraph (a) of this section to a formal proceeding, he shall publish a notice of proposed withdrawal in the Federal Register as set out in § 1955.11 and cause such notice, in the form of a complaint, to be served on the State in accordance with § 1955.15.
(2) Not later than 5 days following the publication of the notice in the Federal Register, the State agency shall publish, or cause to be published, within the State reasonable notice containing a summary of the information in the Federal notice, as well as the location or locations where a copy of the full notice is available for inspection and public copying.
(3) Two copies of such notice shall be served on the Assistant Secretary in accordance with § 1955.15.
(c) Not less than 30 days following publication of the notice in the Federal Register, the State shall submit a statement of those items in the notice which are being contested and a brief statement of the facts relied upon, including whether the use of witnesses is intended. This statement shall be served on the Assistant Secretary in accordance with § 1955.15. When a State fails to respond to the notice of proposed withdrawal under paragraph (b)(1) of this section, the State shall be deemed to have waived its right to a formal proceeding and the Assistant Secretary shall cause to be published in the Federal Register a notice of withdrawal of approval.
§ 1955.11   Contents of notice of formal proceeding.
(a) A notice of a formal proceeding published under § 1955.10 shall include:
(1) A statement on the nature of the proceeding and addresses for filing all papers;
(2) The legal authority under which the proceeding is to be held;
(3) A description of the issues and the grounds for the Assistant Secretary's proposed withdrawal of approval;
(4) A specified period, generally not less than 30 days after publication of the notice in the Federal Register, for the State to submit a response to the statement of issues in the notice;
(5) A provision for designation of an administrative law judge under 5 U.S.C. 3105 to preside over the proceeding.
(b) A copy of the notice of the proceeding stating the basis for the Assistant Secretary's determination that approval of the plan, or any portion thereof, should be withdrawn shall be referred to the administrative law judge.
§ 1955.12   Administrative law judge; powers and duties.
(a) The administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 and designated by the Chief Administrative Law Judge to preside over a proceeding shall have all powers necessary and appropriate to conduct a fair, full, and impartial proceeding, including the following:
(1) To administer oaths and affirmations;
(2) To rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(3) To provide for discovery, including the issuance of subpoenas authorized by section 8(b) of the Act and 5 U.S.C. 555(d) and 556(c)(2), and to determine the scope and time limits of the discovery;
(4) To regulate the course of the proceeding and the conduct of the parties and their counsel;
(5) To consider and rule upon procedural requests, e.g. motions for extension of time;
(6) To hold preliminary conferences for the settlement or simplification of issues;
(7) To take official notice of material facts not appearing in the evidence in the record in accordance with § 1955.40(c);
(8) To render an initial decision;
(9) To examine and cross-examine witnesses;
(10) To take any other appropriate action authorized by the Act, the implementing regulations, or the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 554-557 (hereinafter called the APA).
(b) On any procedural question not otherwise regulated by this part, the Act, or the APA, the administrative law judge shall be guided to the extent practicable by the pertinent provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.
§ 1955.13   Disqualification.
(a) If an administrative law judge deems himself disqualified to preside over a particular proceeding, he shall withdraw by notice on the record directed to the Chief Administrative Law Judge. Any party who deems an administrative law judge, for any reason, to be disqualified to preside, or to continue to preside, over a particular proceeding may file a motion to disqualify and remove the administrative law judge, provided the motion is filed prior to the time the administrative law judge files his decision. Such motion must be supported by affidavits setting forth the alleged ground for disqualification. The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall rule upon the motion.
(b) Contumacious conduct at any proceeding before the administrative law judge shall be ground for summary exclusion from the proceeding. If a witness or party refuses to answer a question after being so directed, or refuses to obey an order to provide or permit discovery, the administrative law judge may make such orders with regard to the refusal as are just and proper, including the striking of all testimony previously given by such witness on related matters.
§ 1955.14   Ex parte communications.
(a) Except to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters, the administrative law judge shall not consult any interested person or party or their representative on any fact in issue or on the merits of any matter before him except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate.
(b)(1) Written or oral communications from interested persons outside the Department of Labor involving any substantive or procedural issues in a proceeding directed to the administrative law judge, the Secretary of Labor, the Assistant Secretary, the Associate Assistant Secretary for Regional Programs, the Solicitor of Labor, or the Associate Solicitor for Occupational Safety and Health, or their staffs shall be deemed ex parte communications and are not to be considered part of any record or the basis for any official decision, unless the communication is made by motion to the administrative law judge and served upon all the parties.
(2) To facilitate implementation of this requirement, the above-mentioned offices shall keep a log of such communications which shall be made available to the public and which may, by motion, be entered into the record.
(c) No employee or agent of the Department of Labor engaged in the investigation or presentation of the withdrawal proceeding governed by this part shall participate or advise in the initial or final decision, except as a witness or counsel in the proceeding.
§ 1955.15   Manner of service and filing.
(a) Service of any document upon any party may be made by personal delivery of, or by mailing a copy of the document by certified mail, to the last known address of the party or his representative. The person serving the document shall certify to the manner and date of service.
(b) In addition to serving a copy of any documents upon the parties, the original and two copies of each document shall be filed with the administrative law judge. With respect to exhibits and transcripts, only originals or certified copies need be filed.
§ 1955.16   Time.
Computation of any period of time under these rules shall begin with the first business day following that on which the act, event or development initiating such period of time shall have occurred. When the last day of the period so computed is a Saturday, Sunday, or national holiday, or other day on which the Department of Labor is closed, the period shall run until the end of the next following business day. When such period of time is 7 days or less, each of the Saturdays, Sundays, and such holidays shall be excluded from the computation.
§ 1955.17   Determination of parties.
(a) The designated State agency or agencies and the Department of Labor, OSHA, shall be the initial parties to the proceedings. Other interested persons may, at the discretion of the administrative law judge, be granted the right to participate as parties if he determines that the final decision could substantially affect them or the class they represent or that they may contribute materially to the disposition of the proceedings.
(b)(1) Any person wishing to participate in any proceeding as a party under paragraph (a) of this section shall submit a petition to the administrative law judge within 30 days after the notice of such proceeding has been published in the Federal Register. The petition shall also be served upon the other parties. Such petition shall concisely state:
(i) Petitioner's interest in the proceeding;
(ii) How his participation as a party will contribute materially to the disposition of the proceeding;
(iii) Who will appear for petitioner;
(iv) The issue or issues as set out in the notice published under § 1955.10 of this part on which petitioner wishes to participate; and
(v) Whether petitioner intends to present witnesses.
(2) The administrative law judge shall, within 5 days of receipt of the petition, ascertain what objections, if any, there are to the petition. He shall then determine whether the petitioner is qualified in his judgment to be a party in the proceedings and shall permit or deny participation accordingly. The administrative law judge shall give each petitioner written notice of the decision on his petition promptly. If the petition is denied, the notice shall briefly state the grounds for denial. Persons whose petition for party participation is denied may appeal the decision to the Secretary within 5 days of receipt of the notice of denial. The Secretary will make the final decision to grant or deny the petition no later than 20 days following receipt of the appeal.
(3) Where the petitions to participate as parties are made by individuals or groups with common interests, the administrative law judge may require all such petitioners to designate a single representative, or he may recognize one or more of such petitioners to represent all such petitioners.
§ 1955.18   Provision for written comments.
Any person who is not a party may submit a written statement of position with 4 copies to either the Assistant Secretary or the State at any time during the proceeding which statement shall be made available to all parties and may be introduced into evidence by a party. Mere statements of approval or opposition to the plan without any documentary support shall not be considered as falling within this provision.
§ 1955.20   Consent findings and orders.
(a)(1) At any time during the proceeding a reasonable opportunity may be afforded to permit negotiation by the parties of an agreement containing consent findings and a rule or order disposing of the whole or any part of the proceeding. The allowance of such opportunity and the duration thereof shall be in the discretion of the administrative law judge, after consideration of the requirements of section 18 of the Act, the nature of the proceeding, the requirements of the public interest, the representations of the parties, and the probability of an agreement which will result in a just disposition of the issues.
(2) Any agreement containing consent findings and a rule or order disposing of a proceeding shall also provide:
(i) That the rule or order shall have the same force and effect as if made after a full hearing;
(ii) A waiver of any further procedural steps before the administrative law judge and the Secretary; and
(iii) A waiver of any right to challenge or contest the validity of the findings and of the rule or order made in accordance with the agreement.
(b)(1) On or before the expiration of the time granted for negotiations, the parties or their counsel may:
(i) Submit the proposed agreement to the administrative law judge for his consideration; or
(ii) Inform the administrative law judge that agreement cannot be reached.
(2) In the event an agreement containing consent findings and a rule or order is submitted within the time allowed therefor, the administrative law judge may accept such agreement by issuing his decision based upon the agreed findings. Such decision shall be published in the Federal Register.
§ 1955.21   Motion for a summary decision.
(a)(1) Any party may move, with or without supporting affidavits, for a summary decision on all or any part of the proceeding. Any other party may, within 10 days after service of the motion, serve opposing affidavits or file a cross motion for summary decision. The administrative law judge may, in his discretion, set the matter for argument and call for submission of briefs. The filing of any documents under this section shall be with the administrative law judge and copies of any such document shall be served on all the parties.
(2) The administrative law judge may grant such motion if the pleadings, affidavits, material obtained by discovery or otherwise obtained, or matters officially noticed, show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact and that a party is entitled to summary decision. Affidavits shall set forth such facts as would be admissible in evidence in the hearing and shall show affirmatively that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein. When a motion for summary decision is made and supported as provided in paragraph (a)(1) of this section, the party opposing the motion may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials of his pleading; his response must set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue of fact for the hearing.
(3) Should it appear from the affidavits of a party opposing the motion that he cannot, for reasons stated, present by affidavit facts essential to justify his opposition, the administrative law judge may refuse the application for summary decision or may order a continuance to permit affidavits to be obtained, or depositions to be taken, or discovery to be had, or may make such other order as is just.
(b)(1) The denial of all or any part of a motion or cross motion for summary decision by the administrative law judge shall not be subject to interlocutory appeal to the Secretary unless the administrative law judge certifies in writing:
(i) That the ruling involves an important question of law or policy as to which there is substantial ground for difference of opinion; and
(ii) That an immediate appeal from the ruling may materially advance the ultimate termination of the proceeding.
(2) The allowance of such an interlocutory appeal shall not stay the proceeding before the administrative law judge unless the Secretary so orders.
§ 1955.22   Summary decision.
(a)(1) Where no genuine issue of material fact is found to have been raised, the administrative law judge shall issue an initial decision to become final 30 days after service thereof upon each party unless, within those 30 days, any party has filed written exceptions to the decision with the Secretary. Requests for extension of time to file exceptions may be granted if the requests are received by the Secretary no later than 25 days after service of the decision.
(2) If any timely exceptions are filed, the Secretary may set a time for filing any response to the exceptions with supporting reasons. All exceptions and responses thereto shall be served on all the parties.
(b)(1) The Secretary, after consideration of the decision, the exceptions, and any supporting briefs filed therewith and any responses to the exceptions with supporting reasons, shall issue a final decision.
(2) An initial decision and a final decision under this section shall include a statement of:
(i) Findings of fact and conclusions of law and the reasons and bases therefor on all issues presented;
(ii) Reference to any material fact based on official notice; and
(iii) The terms and conditions of the rule or order made.
(c) Where a genuine material question of fact is raised, the administrative law judge shall, and in any other case may, set the case for an evidentiary hearing. A notice of such hearing shall be published in the Federal Register at least 30 days prior to the hearing date.
§ 1955.30   Submission of documentary evidence.
(a) Where there has been no consent finding or summary decision under subpart C of this part and a formal hearing is necessary, the administrative law judge shall set a date by which all documentary evidence, which is to be offered during the hearing, shall be submitted to the administrative law judge and served on the other parties. Such submission date shall be sufficiently in advance of the hearing as to permit study and preparation for cross-examination and rebuttal evidence. Documentary evidence not submitted in advance may be received into evidence upon a clear showing that the offering party had good cause for failure to produce the evidence sooner.
(b) The authenticity of all documents submitted in advance shall be deemed admitted unless written objections are filed prior to the hearing, except that a party will be permitted to challenge such authenticity at a later date upon clear showing of good cause for failure to have filed such written objections.
§ 1955.31   Preliminary conference.
(a) Upon his own motion, or the motion of a party, the administrative law judge may direct the parties to meet with him for a conference or conferences to consider:
(1) Simplification of the issues;
(2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to documents for purposes of clarification, simplification, or limitation;
(3) Stipulations of fact, and of the authenticity, of the contents of documents;
(4) Limitations on the number of parties and of witnesses;
(5) Scope of participation of petitioners under § 1955.17 of this part;
(6) Establishment of dates for discovery; and
(7) Such other matters as may tend to expedite the disposition of the proceedings, and to assure a just conclusion thereof.
(b) The administrative law judge shall enter an order which recites the action taken at the conference, the amendments allowed to any documents which have been filed, and the agreements made between the parties as to any of the matters considered. Such order shall limit the issues for hearing to those not disposed of by admissions or agreements, and control the subsequent course of the hearing, unless modified at the hearing to prevent manifest injustice.
§ 1955.32   Discovery.
(a)(1) At any time after the commencement of a proceeding under this part, but generally before the preliminary conference, if any, a party may request of any other party admissions that relate to statements or opinions of fact, or of the application of law to fact, including the genuineness of any document described in the request. Copies of documents shall be served with the request unless they have been or are otherwise furnished or made available for inspection or copying. The matter shall be deemed admitted unless within 30 days after service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the administrative law judge may prescribe, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a specific written response.
(2) If objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully admit or deny the matter. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission and when good faith requires that a party qualify his answer or deny only a part of the matter on which an admission is requested, he shall specify so much of it as is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information or knowledge as the reason for failure to admit or deny unless he states that he has made reasonable inquiry and that the information known or readily obtainable by him is insufficient to enable him to admit or deny.
(3) The party who has requested the admission may move to determine the sufficiency of the answers or objections. Unless the administrative law judge determines that an objection is justified, he may order either that the matter is admitted or that an amended answer be served. The administrative law judge may, in lieu of these orders, determine that final disposition of the requests be made at a preliminary conference, or at a designated time prior to the hearing. Any matter admitted under this section is conclusively established unless the administrative law judge on motion permits withdrawal or amendment of the admission. Copies of all requests and responses shall be served on all parties and filed with the administrative law judge.
(b)(1) The testimony of any witness may be taken by deposition. Depositions may be taken orally or upon written interrogatories before any person designated by the administrative law judge or having power to administer oaths.
(2) Any party desiring to take the deposition of a witness may make application in writing to the administrative law judge setting forth:
(i) The time when, the place where, and the name and post office address of the person before whom the deposition is to be taken;
(ii) The name and address of each witness; and
(iii) The subject matter concerning which each witness is expected to testify.
(3) Such notice as the administrative law judge may order shall be given by the party taking the deposition to every other party.
(c)(1) Each witness testifying upon deposition shall be sworn, and the parties not calling him shall have the right to cross-examine him. The questions propounded and the answers thereto, together with all objections made, shall be reduced to writing and shall be read to or by the witness unless such examination and reading are waived by the witness and the parties. Any changes in form or substance which the witness desires to make shall be entered upon the deposition by the officer with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making them. The deposition shall then be signed by the witness and certified by the officer before whom the deposition was taken. Thereafter, the officer shall seal the deposition, with copies thereof, in an envelope and mail the same by registered or certified mail to the administrative law judge.
(2) Subject to such objections to the questions and answers as were noted at the time of taking the deposition, and to the provisions in § 1955.40(b)(1), any part or all of a deposition may be offered into evidence by the party taking it as against any party who was present, represented at the taking of the deposition, or who had due notice thereof.
(d) Whenever appropriate to a just disposition of any issue in the proceeding the administrative law judge may allow discovery by any other appropriate procedure, such as by interrogatories upon a party or request for production of documents by a party.
(e) Upon motion by a party or by the person from whom discovery is sought, and for good cause shown, the administrative law judge may make any order which justice requires to limit or condition discovery in order to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense.
§ 1955.33   Sanctions for failure to comply with orders.
(a) If a party or an official or agent of a party fails, without good cause, to comply with an order including, but not limited to, an order for the taking of a deposition, written interrogatories, the production of documents, or an order to comply with a subpoena, the administrative law judge or the Secretary or both, for the purpose of permitting resolution of relevant issues and disposition of the proceeding without unnecessary delay despite such failure, may take such action as is just, including but not limited to the following:
(1) Infer that the admission, testimony, documents, or other evidence would have been adverse to the party;
(2) Rule that for the purposes of the proceeding, the matter or matters concerning which the order or subpoena was issued be taken as established adversely to the party;
(3) Rule that the party may not introduce into evidence or otherwise rely, in support of any claim or defense, upon testimony by such party, officer or agent, or the documents or other evidence;
(4) Rule that the party may not be heard to object to introduction and use of secondary evidence to show what the withheld admission, testimony, documents, or other evidence would have shown;
(5) Rule that a pleading, or part of a pleading, on a motion or other submission by the party, concerning which the order or subpoena was issued, be stricken or that decision on the pleading be rendered against the party, or both.
(b) Any such action may be taken by written or oral order issued in the course of the proceeding or by inclusion in the initial decision of the administrative law judge or an order or opinion of the Secretary. The parties may seek, and the administrative law judge may grant, such of the foregoing means of relief or other appropriate relief as may be sufficient to compensate for the lack of withheld testimony, documents, or other evidence.
§ 1955.34   Fees of witnesses.
Witnesses, including witnesses for depositions, shall be paid the same fees and mileage that are paid witnesses in the courts of the United States. Fees shall be paid by the party at whose instance the witness appears, and the person taking a deposition shall be paid by the party at whose instance the deposition is taken.
§ 1955.40   Hearings.
(a)(1) Except as may be ordered otherwise by the administrative law judge, the Department of Labor shall proceed first at the hearing.
(2) The Department of Labor shall have the burden of proof to sustain the contentions alleged in the notice of proposed withdrawal, published under § 1955.10(b)(1) but the proponent of any factual proposition shall be required to sustain the burden of proof with respect thereto.
(b)(1) A party shall be entitled to present his case or defense by oral or documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, and to conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of the facts. Any oral or documentary evidence may be received, but the administrative law judge shall exclude evidence which is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious.
(2) The testimony of a witness shall be upon oath or affirmation administered by the administrative law judge.
(3) If a party objects to the admission or rejection of any evidence, or to the limitation of the scope of any examination or cross-examination, or to the failure to limit such scope, he shall state briefly the grounds for such objection. Rulings on all objections shall appear in the record. Only objections made before the administrative law judge may be relied upon subsequently in the proceeding.
(4) Formal exception to an adverse ruling is not required.
(c) Official notice may be taken of any material fact not appearing in evidence in the record, which is among the traditional matters of judicial notice, or concerning which the Department of Labor by reason of its functions is presumed to be expert: Provided, that the parties shall be given adequate notice, at the hearing or by reference in the administrative law judge's and the Secretary's decision of the matters so noticed and shall be given adequate opportunity to show the contrary.
(d) When an objection to a question propounded to a witness is sustained, the examining party may make a specific offer of proof of what the party expects to prove by the answer of the witness orally or in writing. Written offers of proof, adequately marked for identification, shall be retained in the record so as to be available for consideration by any reviewing authority.
(e) Hearings shall be stenographically reported. Copies of the transcript may be obtained by the parties and the public upon payment of the actual cost of duplication to the Department of Labor in accordance with 29 CFR 70.62(c).
(f) Corrections of the official transcript may be made only when they involve errors affecting substance and then only in the manner herein provided. Corrections may be ordered by the administrative law judge or agreed to in a written stipulation by all parties or their representatives. Where the parties are in disagreement, the administrative law judge shall determine the corrections to be made and so order. Corrections may be interlineated in the official transcript so as not to obliterate the original text.
§ 1955.41   Decision of the administrative law judge.
(a) Within 30 days after receipt of notice that the transcript of the testimony has been filed with the administrative law judge, or such additional time as the administrative law judge may allow, each party may file with the administrative law judge proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and rules or orders, together with a supporting brief expressing the reasons for such proposals. Such proposals and brief shall be served on all other parties and shall refer to all portions of the record and to all authorities relied upon in support of each proposal.
(b)(1) Within a reasonable time after the time allowed for the filing of proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and rules or orders, the administrative law judge shall make and serve upon each party his initial decision which shall become final upon the 30th day after service thereof unless exceptions are filed thereto.
(2) The decision of the administrative law judge shall be based solely upon substantial evidence on the record as a whole and shall state all facts officially noticed and relied upon. The decision of the administrative law judge shall include:
(i) A statement of the findings of fact and conclusions of law, with reasons and bases therefor upon each material issue of fact, law, or discretion presented on the record;
(ii) Reference to any material fact based on official notice; and
(iii) The appropriate rule, order, relief, or denial thereof.
§ 1955.42   Exceptions.
(a) Within 30 days after service of the decision of the administrative law judge, any party may file with the Secretary written exceptions thereto with supporting reasons. Such exceptions shall refer to the specific findings of fact, conclusions of law, or terms of the rule or order excepted to; and shall suggest corrected findings of fact, conclusions of law, or terms of the rule or order referencing the specific pages of the transcript relevant to the suggestions. Requests for extension of time to file exceptions may be granted if the requests are received by the Secretary no later than 25 days after service of the decision.
(b) If any timely exceptions are filed, the Secretary may set a time for filing any response to the exceptions with supporting reasons. All exceptions and responses thereto shall be served on all the parties.
§ 1955.43   Transmission of the record.
If exceptions are filed, the Secretary shall request the administrative law judge to transmit the record of the proceeding to the Secretary for review. The record shall include the State plan; a copy of the Assistant Secretary's notice of proposed withdrawal; the State's statement of items in contention; the notice of the hearing if any; any motions and requests filed in written form and rulings thereon; the transcript of the testimony taken at the hearing, together with any documents or papers filed in connection with the preliminary conference and the hearing itself; such proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, rules or orders, and supporting reasons as may have been filed; the administrative law judge's decision; and such exceptions, responses, and briefs in support thereof as may have been filed in the proceedings.
§ 1955.44   Final decision.
(a) After review of any exceptions, together with the record references and authorities cited in support thereof, the Secretary shall issue a final decision ruling upon each exception and objection filed. The final decision may affirm, modify, or set aside in whole or in part the findings, conclusions, and the rule or order contained in the decision of the administrative law judge. The final decision shall also include reference to any material fact based on official notice.
(b) The Secretary's final decision shall be served upon all the parties and shall become final upon the 30th day after service thereof unless the Secretary grants a stay pending judicial review.
§ 1955.45   Effect of appeal of administrative law judge's decision.
An administrative law judge's decision shall be stayed pending a decision on appeal to the Secretary. If there are no exceptions filed to the decisions of the administrative law judge, the administrative law judge's decision shall be published in the Federal Register as a final decision and served upon the parties.
§ 1955.46   Finality for purposes of judicial review.
Only a final decision by the Secretary under § 1955.44 shall be deemed final agency action for purposes of judicial review. A decision of an administrative law judge which becomes final for lack of appeal is not deemed final agency action for purposes of 5 U.S.C. 704.
§ 1955.47   Judicial review.
The State may obtain judicial review of a decision by the Secretary in accordance with section 18(g) of the Act.