[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 4]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR283.16]

[Page 996]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
    CHAPTER II--FOOD AND NUTRITION SERVICE, DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 283_APPEALS OF QUALITY CONTROL (``QC'') CLAIMS--Table of Contents
 
            Subpart B_Appeals of QC Claims of $50,000 or More
 
Sec.  283.16  Consolidation of issues.

    Similar issues involved in appeals by two or more State agencies may 
be consolidated upon motion by the State agencies, FNS, or at the 
discretion of the ALJ if it is decided that consolidation would help to 
promote administrative efficiency.
    (a) Disposition of consolidated issues. If the ALJ orders 
consolidation, the issues consolidated will be considered first. If a 
hearing has been requested by any of the parties that have had issues 
consolidated, arguments on the consolidated issues will be heard before 
arguments on dissimilar issues. The ALJ will take the information into 
consideration along with arguments on other issues in preparing initial 
decisions for QC appeals in which some issues have been consolidated.
    (b) Initial decision. (1) If the ALJ decides the evidence and 
arguments by the State agencies on the consolidated issues cannot be 
overcome by the evidence presented by FNS and are sufficient to grant 
the relief requested by a State agency or all State agencies in which 
the issue is involved, the ALJ shall prepare an initial decision as 
provided in Sec.  283.17(c).
    (2) FNS may file a motion for reconsideration pursuant to Sec.  
283.17(d) or seek review by the Judicial Officer in accordance with 
Sec.  283.20.