Mississippi Code 1972 (2023) › Title 21 - MUNICIPALITIES (§§ 21-1-1 — 21-47-5) › Chapter 27 - PUBLIC UTILITIES AND TRANSPORTATION (§§ 21-27-1 — 21-27-221) › MUNICIPAL AND DOMESTIC WATER AND WASTEWATER SYSTEM OPERATOR'S CERTIFICATION ACT OF 1992 (§§ 21-27-201 — 21-27-221) › Section 21-27-219 - Complaints; conduct of hearings; notice; issuance of subpoenas

(1)
Whenever the board or commission or an employee thereof has reason to believe that a violation of any provision of a regulation or of any order of the board or commission has occurred, the board or commission may cause a written complaint to be served upon the alleged violator or violators. The complaint shall specify the provisions of Sections
21-27-201
through
21-27-221
or regulation or order alleged to have been violated and the facts alleged to constitute a violation thereof, and shall require that the alleged violator appear before the board or commission, or any duly designated hearing officer appointed thereby, at a time and place specified in the notice and answer the charges complained of. The time of appearance before the board or commission or designated hearing officer shall be not less than thirty (30) days from the date of the service of the complaint.
(2)
The board or commission or designated hearing officer shall afford an opportunity for a fair hearing to the alleged violator or violators at the time and place specified in the complaint. On the basis of the evidence produced at the hearing, the board or commission or designated hearing officer shall make findings of fact and conclusions of law and enter such order as in its opinion will best further the purposes of Sections
21-27-201
through
21-27-221
and shall give written notice of such order to the alleged violator, and the board or commission or designated hearing officer may assess such penalties as hereinbefore provided.
(3)
Except as otherwise expressly provided, any notice or other instrument issued by or under authority of the board or commission or designated hearing officer may be served on any person affected thereby personally or by publication, and proof of such service may be made in like manner as in case of service of a summons in a civil action, such proof to be filed in the office of the board or commission; or such service may be made by mailing a copy of the notice, order or other instrument by certified mail, directed to the person affected at his last known post office address as shown by the files or records of the board or commission, and proof thereof may be made by the affidavit of the person who did the mailing, filed in the office of the board or commission.
(4)
In conducting the hearings provided in this section, any member of the board or commission, or the chief administrative officer thereof, or the duly designated hearing officer, shall have the authority to issue subpoenas to appear and give testimony, to produce records, or both, and in case of contumacy or refusal to obey a notice of hearing or subpoena issued hereunder, the circuit court shall have jurisdiction upon application of the board or commission or its representative to issue an order requiring obedience to the hearing notice or subpoena of the board or commission or designated hearing officer. Any failure to obey such court order may be punished by such court as contempt thereof. Any member of the board or commission, or the chief administrative officer thereof, or the designated hearing officer, may administer oaths. A verbatim record of the hearing shall be made. Witnesses who are subpoenaed shall receive the same fees and mileage as in civil actions.
(5)
Any person aggrieved by the decision of the board or commission to issue, deny, modify or revoke any operator certification hereunder shall be entitled to a full hearing before the board or commission or duly designated hearing officer appointed thereby in the same manner as provided hereinabove, and appeals from such actions shall be in the same manner as provided hereinafter.
Laws, 1986, ch. 354, § 10, eff. 7/1/1986.