Source: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/11/25/2019-24570/rules-of-practice-in-explosives-license-and-permit-proceedings-2007r-5p-revisions-reflecting-changes
Timestamp: 2020-04-05 23:50:25
Document Index: 585256564

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Federal Register :: Rules of Practice in Explosives License and Permit Proceedings (2007R-5P); Revisions Reflecting Changes Consistent With the Homeland Security Act of 2002
A Rule by the Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives Bureau on 11/25/2019
This rule is effective December 26, 2019.
64740-64754 (15 pages)
27 CFR 771
Docket No. ATF 33F
AG Order No. 4577-2019
1140-AA40
A. Rules of Practice in Permit Proceedings (27 CFR Part 71)
B. License Proceedings (27 CFR Part 478)
C. License and Permit Proceedings (27 CFR Part 555)
III. Comment Analysis and Department Response
A. Executive Order 12866, 13563, and 13771
SUBCHAPTER E—EXPLOSIVE LICENSE AND PERMIT PROCEEDINGS
https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-24570 https://www.federalregister.gov/d/2019-24570
Start Printed Page 64741
The Department of Justice is amending the regulations of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) concerning procedures and practices in connection with denials of initial applications, denials of renewals, and revocations of explosives licenses or permits. These regulations are being codified in a new part entitled, “Rules and Practice in License and Permit Proceedings.” These regulations are based upon the regulations that ATF relied upon prior to its transfer from the Department of the Treasury to the Department of Justice. This final rule makes minor revisions to regulations governing administrative proceedings related to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, and the imposition of a civil fine under Federal firearms law to reference regulations under ATF authority. These revisions remove all references to statutes, regulations, positions, and other terms that are applicable only to the Department of the Treasury. These revisions reflect ATF's position as a regulatory and enforcement agency under the Department of Justice and are consistent with the regulations governing administrative hearing processes for explosives licenses and permits.
The Attorney General has delegated to the Director of ATF responsibility for administering and enforcing title I of the Gun Control Act of 1968 (GCA), Public Law 90-618, as amended, 18 U.S.C. chapter 44, relating to commerce in firearms and ammunition; and title XI, Regulation of Explosives, of the Organized Crime Control Act of 1970 (OCCA), Public Law 91-452, as amended, 18 U.S.C. chapter 40. See 18 U.S.C. 926(a); 18 U.S.C. 843; 28 CFR 0.130. Under the GCA, ATF has the authority to license applicants, renew licenses, and revoke Federal firearms licenses. 18 U.S.C. 923. The OCCA, as amended by the Safe Explosives Act, title XI, subtitle C of Public Law 107-296, the Homeland Security Act of 2002 (enacted November 25, 2002), authorizes ATF to provide licenses and permits to qualified applicants for the acquisition, distribution, storage, or use of explosive materials and to renew or revoke such licenses and permits. 18 U.S.C. 843.
On November 25, 2002, President George W. Bush signed the Homeland Security Act of 2002, Public Law 107-296 (the Act), which divided the regulatory functions of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms into two separate agencies. The Act renamed the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms as the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives and transferred law enforcement and certain regulatory functions to the Department of Justice. The Act also retained in the Department of the Treasury (Treasury) certain functions of the former Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. The functions retained by Treasury became the responsibility of a new Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB). As a result of the Act, TTB has all regulatory authority under 27 CFR part 71 and ATF therefore cannot promulgate new regulations under that part, although ATF has continued to follow the procedures set forth in part 71 to administer hearings related to the application and revocation of Federal explosives licenses and permits. See 28 CFR 0.133(a)(2).
Regulations that implement the provisions of the GCA are set forth in 27 CFR part 478. Subpart E of part 478 relates to proceedings involving Federal firearms licensees, including the denial, suspension, or revocation of licenses and the imposition of civil fines. Specifically, 27 CFR 478.76 provides that, at a hearing for the disapproval of applications for firearms licenses, for the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or for imposition of a civil fine under Federal firearms law, an applicant or licensee may be represented by an attorney, a certified public accountant, or any other person recognized to practice before ATF as provided in 31 CFR part 8, if the representative complies with the applicable practice requirements of 26 CFR 601.521 through 601.527.
The regulations that implement OCCA procedural and substantive requirements are found in 27 CFR part 555. Subpart E of part 555 relates to proceedings involving Federal explosives licensees and permittees, including the denial of an initial application, denial of a renewal, and revocation of a license or permit. Specifically, 27 CFR 555.78 provides that, at a hearing for the disapproval of applications for explosives licenses, and for the denial of renewal or revocation of such licenses or permits under Federal explosives law, an applicant, licensee, or permittee may be represented by an attorney, a certified public accountant, or any other person recognized to practice before ATF as provided in 31 CFR part 8, if the representative complies with the applicable practice requirements of 26 CFR 601.521 through 601.527.
On October 7, 2014, the Department of Justice published a notice of proposed rulemaking with a request for comments entitled, “Rules of Practice in Explosives License and Permit Proceedings (2007R-5P); Revisions Reflecting Changes Consistent with the Homeland Security Act of 2002.” 79 FR 60391-60405. The proposed rule sought to revise ATF regulations to add a new part that implements 18 U.S.C. 843 and 847 relating to the procedures and practice for the denials of initial applications, denials of renewal, and revocations of explosives licenses or permits by ATF under Federal explosives law. Additionally, the proposed rule sought to make minor revisions to regulations governing administrative proceedings related to the denial, suspension, or revocation of a license, and the imposition of a civil fine under Federal firearms law to reference regulations under ATF authority. These changes clarify ATF's role in explosives license proceedings and remove references to any regulations outside the scope of ATF's authority.
Comments on the notice of proposed rulemaking were to be submitted to ATF on or before January 5, 2015.
In response to the notice of proposed rulemaking, ATF received two comments. One commenter is an explosive and fertilizer trade association; and the other is a university student. Both commenters support ATF's proposal to transfer and consolidate regulations governing explosives license applications and renewals or revocation of licenses and Start Printed Page 64742permits, improving the enforcement of ATF's regulations.
One of the commenters, the Institute of Makers of Explosives (IME), notes that the creation of a new part 771 addresses jurisdictional and authority issues within ATF. IME agrees that ATF should maintain jurisdiction for all explosives programs and since the regulatory authority over part 71 resides with another agency, ATF should promulgate new regulations affecting the procedures for hearings that it is responsible for conducting. IME further states: “If promulgated, the new Part will bring all administrative and enforcement responsibilities connected with the explosives licensing and permitting program under the jurisdiction of ATF and will allow the Bureau, itself, to affect any necessary changes to the procedural rules governing its due process proceedings.” Further, IME agrees with ATF's clarification of 27 CFR 555.78 that will allow for self-representation in licensing and permit hearings conducted by ATF.
The second commenter, a student, generally supports the rule because the proscribed regulation changes will not hurt the economy but rather “help[s] the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, State, local, or tribal government and communities.” The same commenter further notes that the rule gives every person the right to due process if their application has been denied for a firearm.
The Department agrees that by promulgating regulations in a new part, 27 CFR part 771, ATF will be able to better govern and administer explosives license and permit proceedings that come under its jurisdiction.
This final rule implements the amendments to the regulations in 27 CFR 478.76, 555.73, 555.75, 555.78, 555.79, 555.82, and adds new part 771, as specified in the notice of proposed rulemaking published on October 7, 2014 (79 FR 60391-60405). Additionally, this final rule includes some minor technical amendments. First, in 27 CFR 771.5, the definition of “Application” is amended to include renewal applications and the definition of “Person” is amended to include “company.” Second, § 771.59, which governs an initial application for a license or permit, is amended to eliminate the statement that a request for hearing should include a statement of the reasons for a hearing; this change makes this provision consistent with the requirements for an existing Federal explosive licensee requesting a hearing in § 771.60. Third, §§ 771.59 and 771.60 are amended to add that the licensee or permittee will receive notice of the assignment of an administrative law judge (ALJ) by the Director of Industry Operations (DIO), if the ALJ has not already provided such notice; this clarifies that the ALJ will often provide this notification but the DIO must provide this notice if not already provided by the ALJ. Fourth, a reference to § 771.59 is added in § 771.64, which concerns part of the process following a request for a hearing, to reflect the fact that requests for a hearing can be made as a result of denial of an initial application in addition to the revocation or denial of a renewal application. Fifth, § 771.82 is amended to include a statement that the Federal Rules of Evidence are not binding on these proceedings, and to include a reference to expert testimony and the relevant Federal Rule of Evidence in § 771.82(a). These changes are necessary to clarify what is admissible in a hearing and to clarify that both opinion and expert testimony shall be admitted in a hearing when the ALJ is satisfied that the witness is properly qualified pursuant to Federal Rules of Evidence 701 or 702. Sixth, § 771.95, which governs the responsibilities of an ALJ, is amended to eliminate the sentence that ALJs shall be under the administrative control of the Director. This sentence addresses the responsibilities of the Director and not the responsibilities of the ALJs. Therefore, the sentence is unnecessary as to the responsibilities of the ALJ and confusing as to application. Seventh, § 771.97(k), which authorizes the ALJ to take any action authorized by an ATF rule and consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act, is amended to add a cross-reference to ATF's authority concerning licenses and permits, 18 U.S.C. 843, and the provision of the Administrative Procedure Act setting out authority for individuals presiding over agency hearings, 5 U.S.C. 556(c). Eighth, the final rule amends 27 CFR 771.99 to state that disorderly or contemptuous language or conduct by an attorney (either for a licensee or permittee or for the Government), may be reported to the Department of Justice, Office of Professional Responsibility, consistent with 28 CFR 0.39a(a)(9). Finally, other changes eliminate superfluous language or correct stylistic errors.
This final rule has been drafted and reviewed in accordance with Executive Order 12866, “Regulatory Planning and Review,” section 1(b), The Principles of Regulation; Executive Order 13563, “Improving Regulation and Regulatory Review,” section 1(b), General Principles of Regulation, and section 6, Retrospective Analyses of Existing Rules; and Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulation and Controlling Regulatory Costs.”
Both Executive Orders 12866 and 13563 direct agencies to assess all costs and benefits of available regulatory alternatives and, if regulation is necessary, to select regulatory approaches that maximize net benefits (including potential economic, environmental, public health and safety effects, distributive impacts, and equity). Executive Order 13563 emphasizes the importance of quantifying both costs and benefits, of reducing costs, of harmonizing rules, and of promoting flexibility. This rule consolidates and clarifies regulations governing explosives license application renewal or revocation of licenses and permits. This rule would not add any costs to industry because this rule puts into regulation current industry and agency practices; therefore, the explosives industry would not need to incur any hourly or capital burdens in order to comply with this final rule. The Department has assessed the costs and benefits of this regulation and believes that the regulatory approach selected imposes no new regulatory costs and maximizes net benefits.
This final rule will not have an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more, nor will it adversely affect in a material way the economy, a sector of the economy, productivity, competition, jobs, the environment, public health or safety, or State, local, or tribal government or communities. Similarly, it does not create a serious inconsistency or otherwise interfere with an action taken or planned by another agency, materially alter the budgetary impact of entitlements, grants, user fees, or loan programs or the rights and obligations of recipients thereof, or raise novel legal or policy issues arising out of legal mandates, the President's priorities, or the principles set forth in Executive Order 12866. The Department has determined that this final rule is not a “significant regulatory action” as defined in Executive Order 12866, section 3(f). Accordingly, this Start Printed Page 64743final rule has not been reviewed by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
Because this rule is not significant under Executive Order 12866, this action is not subject to Executive Order 13771, “Reducing Regulations and Controlling Regulatory Costs.”
Section 6 of Executive Order 13563 directs agencies to develop a plan to review existing significant rules that may be “outmoded, ineffective, insufficient, or excessively burdensome,” and to make appropriate changes where warranted. The Department selected and reviewed this rule under the criteria set forth in its Plan for Retrospective Analysis of Existing Rules, and determined that this rule merely transfers and consolidates regulations governing explosives license application renewal or revocation of licenses and permits, improving the enforcement of ATF regulations.
This final rule will not have substantial direct effects on the States, on the relationship between the Federal Government and the States, or on the distribution of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government. Therefore, in accordance with section 6 of Executive Order 13132, “Federalism,” the Attorney General has determined that this final rule does not have sufficient federalism implications to warrant the preparation of a federalism summary impact statement.
The Regulatory Flexibility Act (5 U.S.C. 605(b)) exempts an agency from the requirement to conduct a regulatory flexibility analysis of any rule subject to notice and comment rulemaking requirements if the agency certifies that the rule will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Small entities include small businesses, small not-for-profit enterprises, and small governmental jurisdictions. The Attorney General has reviewed this final rule and, by approving it, certifies that it will not have a significant economic impact on a substantial number of small entities.
This final rule codifies the ATF regulations governing the procedure and practice for denying applications, denying renewals, and revoking explosives licenses or permits under Federal explosives law in a new part 771 under ATF's regulatory authority. Additionally, this final rule updates the regulations governing the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, and imposition of a civil fine under Federal firearms law to only reference regulations under ATF authority. This rule also amends the regulations to require an applicant or licensee in a proceeding concerning the denial, suspension, or revocation of a firearms license, or the imposition of a civil fine under Federal firearms law, to file a duly executed power of attorney designating his representative, and waivers, if applicable, under the Privacy Act of 1974. See 5 U.S.C. 552(a), and 26 U.S.C. 6103(c) (confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information). This is required in the current regulations by reference to 31 CFR part 8 and 26 CFR 601.521 through 601.527. The changes in this final rule are purely administrative and do not add any new requirements that would have any impact on the economy.
This final rule is not a major rule as defined by section 251 of the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996. See 5 U.S.C. 804. This final rule will not result in an annual effect on the economy of $100 million or more; a major increase in costs or prices; or significant adverse effects on competition, employment, investment, productivity, innovation, or on the ability of United States-based enterprises to compete with foreign-based enterprises in domestic and export markets.
This final rule does not impose any new reporting or recordkeeping requirements under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995.
The author of this document is Denise Brown; Enforcement Programs and Services; Office of Regulatory Affairs, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives.
Accordingly, for reasons discussed in the preamble, 27 CFR chapter II is amended as follows:
1. The authority citation for 27 part 478 continues to read as follows:
2. Revise § 478.76 to read as follows:
Applicants or licensees may represent themselves or be represented by an attorney, a certified public accountant, or any other person, specifically designated in a duly executed power of attorney that shall be filed in the proceeding by the applicant or licensee. The applicant or licensee shall file waivers, if applicable, under the Privacy Act of 1974 and 26 U.S.C. 6103(c) (confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information). The Director of Industry Operations may be represented in proceedings under §§ 478.72 and 478.74 by an attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel who is authorized to execute and file motions, briefs, and other papers in the proceeding, on behalf of the Director of Industry Operations, in the attorney's own name as “Attorney for the Government.”
Start Part Start Printed Page 64744
3. The authority citation for 27 CFR part 555 continues to read as follows:
4. Amend § 555.73 by removing “part 71” and adding in its place “part 771”.
5. Amend § 555.75 by removing “part 71” and adding in its place “part 771”.
6. Revise § 555.78 to read as follows:
An applicant, licensee, or permittee may represent himself, or be represented by an attorney, a certified public accountant, or any other person, specifically designated in a duly executed power of attorney that shall be filed in the proceeding by the applicant, licensee, or permittee. The applicant, licensee, or permittee shall file waivers, if applicable, under the Privacy Act of 1974 and 26 U.S.C. 6103(c) (confidentiality and disclosure of returns and return information). The Director of Industry Operations may be represented in proceedings under §§ 555.73 and 555.75 by an attorney in the Office of Chief Counsel who is authorized to execute and file motions, briefs and other papers in the proceeding, on behalf of the Director of Industry Operations, in the attorney's own name as “Attorney for the Government.”
7. Amend § 555.79 by removing “(a)”, “(b)”, and “(c)” and removing “part 71” and adding in its place “part 771”.
8. Revise § 555.82 to read as follows:
§ 555.82
Rules of practice in license and permit proceedings.
Regulations governing the procedure and practice for disapproval of applications for explosives licenses and permits and for the denial of renewal or revocation of such licenses and permits under the Act are contained in part 771 of this chapter.
9. Add subchapter E, consisting of part 771, to read as follows:
Communications and pleadings.
Service on applicant, licensee, or permittee.
Service on the Director of Industry Operations or Director.
Attorneys and other representatives.
Notice of contemplated action.
Licensee's or permittee's failure to meet requirements within reasonable time.
Authority of Director of Industry Operations to proceed with revocation or denial action.
Denial of initial application.
Denial of renewal application or revocation of license or permit.
Grounds for revocation of licenses or permits.
Grounds for denial of applications for licenses or permits.
Subpart F—Hearing Procedure Notices
Execution and disposition.
Initial application proceedings.
Revocation or denial of renewal proceedings.
Revocation or denial of renewal.
Responses admitting facts.
Initial conferences.
Withdrawal of request for hearing.
Adjudication based upon written submissions.
Before citation.
After citation.
Prior to hearing.
Stipulations at hearing.
Closing of hearings; arguments, briefs, and proposed findings.
Reopening of the hearing.
Oath of reporter.
Responsibilities of administrative law judges.
Administrative law judge's findings and recommended decision.
Certification and transmittal of record and decision.
Director of Industry Operations' decision.
Proceedings involving violations not within the division of issuance of license or permit.
Appeal on petition to the Director.
Review by Director.
Denial of renewal or revocation.
Witnesses and fees.
What constitutes record.
771.136
§ 771.1
Start Printed Page 64745
§ 771.2
§ 771.3
§ 771.5
§ 771.25
§ 771.26
All orders, notices, motions, and other formal documents required to be served under the regulations in this part may be served by mailing a signed, original copy thereof to the designated representative of the applicant, licensee, or permittee by certified mail, with request for return receipt card, at the representative's business address, by personal service, or as otherwise agreed Start Printed Page 64746to by the parties. If the applicant, licensee, or permittee has not yet designated a representative, all orders, notices, motions, and other formal documents required to be served under the regulations in this part may be served by mailing a signed, original copy thereof to the applicant, licensee, or permittee at the address stated on his application, license, or permit, or at his last known address, or by delivery of such original copy to the applicant, licensee, or permittee personally, or in the case of a corporation, partnership, or other unincorporated association, by delivering the same to an officer, or manager, or general agent thereof, or to its attorney of record. Such personal service may be made by any employee of the Department of Justice designated by the Attorney General or by any employee of ATF. A certificate of mailing and the return receipt card, or certificate of service signed by the person making such service, shall be filed as a part of the record.
§ 771.27
§ 771.28
§ 771.29
§ 771.30
§ 771.31
§ 771.35
§ 771.36
§ 771.37
§ 771.38
§ 771.39
Where the evidence is conclusive and the nature of the violation is such as to preclude any settlement, the violation is of a continuing character that necessitates immediate action to protect Start Printed Page 64747the public interest, or the Director of Industry Operations believes that any informal settlement of the alleged violation will not ensure future compliance with applicable laws and regulations in this part, or in any similar case where the circumstances are such as to clearly preclude informal settlement, and the Director of Industry Operations so finds and states the reasons therefor in the notice, the Director of Industry Operations may proceed with the revocation or denial of renewal.
§ 771.40
§ 771.41
§ 771.42
§ 771.43
§ 771.55
§ 771.56
§ 771.57
§ 771.58
§ 771.59
(b) On receipt of the request, the Director of Industry Operations shall forward a copy of the request, together with a copy of the notice, to the Office of Chief Counsel for the assignment of an administrative law judge.Start Printed Page 64748
§ 771.60
§ 771.61
§ 771.62
§ 771.63
§ 771.64
§ 771.65
§ 771.66
§ 771.67
Where the applicant on an initial application for a license or permit has requested a hearing and does not appear at the appointed time and place, evidence has not been offered to refute or explain the grounds upon which disapproval of the application is contemplated, and no good cause has been shown for the failure to appear, the applicant shall be considered to have waived the hearing. When such waiver occurs, a default judgment against the applicant will be entered and the Start Printed Page 64749administrative law judge shall recommend disapproval of said application.
§ 771.68
§ 771.69
§ 771.70
§ 771.71
§ 771.72
§ 771.73
§ 771.74
§ 771.75
§ 771.76
§ 771.77
§ 771.78
(a) The administrative law judge who presides at the hearing in proceedings for the revocation or denial of renewal of licenses or permits shall make a recommended decision to the Director of Industry Operations. The administrative law judge shall certify the complete record of the proceedings before him and shall immediately forward the complete certified record to the Director of Industry Operations. The administrative law judge shall also send Start Printed Page 64750one copy of his recommended decision to the licensee or permittee or the licensee's or permittee's representative, one copy to the Attorney for the Government, and one copy to the Director of Industry Operations, who shall make the initial decision as provided in § 771.109.
§ 771.79
§ 771.80
§ 771.81
§ 771.82
§ 771.83
§ 771.84
(a) In case of default under § 771.67 or § 771.68 where the applicant, licensee, or permittee failed to request a hearing or to appear after one was set, upon petition setting forth reasonable grounds for such failure; and
§ 771.85
§ 771.86
The reporter making the stenographic record shall subscribe an oath before the administrative law judge, to be filed in the record of the case, that he will truly and correctly report the oral testimony and proceedings at such hearing and Start Printed Page 64751accurately transcribe the same to the best of his ability.
§ 771.95
§ 771.96
§ 771.97
§ 771.98
§ 771.99
§ 771.100
Within a reasonable time after the conclusion of the hearing, and as expeditiously as possible, the administrative law judge shall render his recommended decision. All decisions shall become a part of the record and, if proposed findings and conclusions have been filed, shall show Start Printed Page 64752the administrative law judge's ruling upon each of such proposed findings and conclusions. Decisions shall consist of:
§ 771.106
§ 771.108
(b) Rejecting the recommended decision. After consideration of the complete certified record of the hearing, if the Director of Industry Operations disagrees with the recommended decision of the administrative law judge, he may file a petition with the Director for review of the recommended decision, as provided in § 771.120. If the Director of Industry Operations files such a petition, he shall withhold issuance of the order pending the decision of the Director, upon receipt of which he shall issue the order in accordance with the Director's decision. A signed original of the order of the Director of Industry Operations shall be served upon the licensee or permittee or his representative and the original copy containing a certificate of service shall be placed in the official record of the proceeding.
(c) Decisions pursuant to § 771.78(b). In a case where the initial decision is made by the Director of Industry Operations in accordance with § 771.78(b), the Director of Industry Operations shall also issue an order revoking or denying the renewal of the license or permit, or dismissing the proceedings in accordance with his initial decision. A signed original of the decision and order of the Director of Industry Operations shall be served upon the licensee or permittee or his representative and the original copy placed in the official record of the proceeding.
§ 771.110
§ 771.120
(a) An appeal to the Director may be made by the applicant, licensee, or permittee, or by the Director of Industry Operations (DIO). For the applicant, licensee, or permittee, such appeal shall be made by filing a petition for review on appeal with the Director within 15 days of the service of the adverse initial decision by the Director of Industry Operations. For the Director of Industry Operations, such appeal shall be taken Start Printed Page 64753by filing a petition for review on appeal with the Director within 15 days of the issuance of the administrative law judge's decision recommending against revocation or denial of renewal. The petitioning applicant, licensee, or permittee must submit arguments showing that the Director of Industry Operations' initial decision, and if applicable the underlying administrative law judge's recommended decision, was without reasonable warrant in fact or contrary to law and regulations. The petitioning DIO must submit arguments showing the administrative law judge's recommended decision was without reasonable warrant in fact or contrary to law and regulations. Nothing in this part shall limit the authority of the Director to review the administrative law judge's decision exercising all the powers that he would have in making the recommended decision.
§ 771.121
§ 771.122
(b) If an applicant, licensee, or permittee does not seek review with the Director, but instead seeks review within 60 days after the receipt of the initial decision of the Director of Industry Operations pursuant to § 771.109, the Director of Industry Operations, upon notification that an appeal has been taken, shall prepare the record for submission to the court in accordance with applicable court rules. The Director of Industry Operations shall notify the Director if such an appeal is taken.
§ 771.124
§ 771.126
§ 771.135
The transcript of testimony, pleadings, exhibits, all papers and requests filed in the proceeding, and all findings, decisions, and orders, shall constitute the exclusive record. Where the decision rests on official notice of Start Printed Page 64754material fact not appearing in the record, the administrative law judge shall so state in his findings and any party shall, on timely request, be afforded an opportunity to show facts to the contrary.
§ 771.136
[FR Doc. 2019-24570 Filed 11-22-19; 8:45 am]