[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 49, Volume 4]
[Revised as of October 1, 2002]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 49CFR209.321]

[Page 31-32]
 
                        TITLE 49--TRANSPORTATION
 
       CHAPTER II--FEDERAL RAILROAD ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF 
                             TRANSPORTATION
 
PART 209--RAILROAD SAFETY ENFORCEMENT PROCEDURES--Table of Contents
 
                 Subpart D--Disqualification Procedures
 
Sec. 209.321  Hearing.

    (a) Upon receipt of a hearing request complying with Sec. 209.311, 
an administrative hearing for review of a notice of proposed 
disqualification shall be conducted by a presiding officer, who can be 
any person authorized by the FRA Administrator, including an 
administrative law judge. The hearing shall begin within 180 days from 
receipt of respondent's hearing request. Notice of the time and place of 
the hearing shall be given to the parties at least 20 days before the 
hearing. Testimony by witnesses shall be given under oath and the 
hearing shall be recorded verbatim. The hearing shall be open to the 
public, unless the presiding official determines that it would be in the 
best interests of the respondent, a witness, or other affected persons, 
to close all or any part of it. If the presiding official makes such a 
determination, an appropriate order, which sets forth the reasons 
therefor, shall be entered.
    (b) The presiding officer may:
    (1) Administer oaths and affirmations;
    (2) Issue subpoenas as provided by Sec. 209.7;
    (3) Adopt procedures for the submission of evidence in written form;
    (4) Take or cause depositions to be taken as provided in Sec. 209.8;
    (5) Rule on offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
    (6) Examine witnesses at the hearing;
    (7) Convene, recess, reconvene, adjourn, and otherwise regulate the 
course of the hearing;
    (8) Hold conferences for settlement, simplification of the issues, 
or any other proper purpose; and
    (9) Take any other action authorized by or consistent with the 
provisions of this subpart and permitted by law that may expedite the 
hearing or aid in the disposition of an issue raised therein.
    (c) FRA has the burden of proof, by a preponderance of the evidence, 
as to the facts alleged in the notice of proposed disqualification, the 
reasonableness of the conditions of the qualification proposed, and, 
except as provided in Sec. 209.329(a), the respondent's lack of fitness 
to perform safety-sensitive functions. The Chief Counsel may offer 
relevant evidence, including testimony, in support of the allegations 
contained in the notice of proposed disqualification and conduct such 
cross-examination as may be required for a full disclosure of the 
material facts.
    (d) The respondent may appear and be heard on respondent's own 
behalf or through respondent's designated representative. The respondent 
may offer relevant evidence, including testimony, in defense of the 
allegations or in mitigation of the proposed disqualification and 
conduct such cross-examination as may be required for a full disclosure 
of the material facts. Respondent has the burden of proof, by a 
preponderance of the evidence, as to any affirmative defense, including 
that respondent's actions were in obedience to the direct order of a 
railroad supervisor or higher level official.
    (e) The record shall be closed at the conclusion of the hearing, 
unless the parties request the opportunity to submit proposed findings 
and conclusions. When the presiding officer allows the parties to submit 
proposed findings and conclusions, documents previously

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identified for introduction into evidence, briefs, or other posthearing 
submissions the record shall be left open for such time as the presiding 
officer grants for that purpose.

[54 FR 42907, Oct. 18, 1989, as amended at 60 FR 53136, Oct. 12, 1995]