[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 8]
[Revised as of January 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR900.18]

[Page 16]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER IX--AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and 
      Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 900_GENERAL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
    Subpart_Rules of Practice and Procedure Governing Proceedings To 
           Formulate Marketing Agreements and Marketing Orders
 
Sec.  900.18  Hearing before Secretary.

    The Secretary may act in the place and stead of a judge in any 
proceeding under this subpart. When he so acts the hearing clerk shall 
transmit the record to the Secretary at the expiration of the period 
provided for the filing of proposed findings of fact, conclusions and 
orders, and the Secretary shall thereupon, after due consideration of 
the record, issue his final decision in the proceeding: Provided, That 
he may issue a tentative decision in which event the parties shall be 
afforded an opportunity to file exceptions before the issuance of the 
final decision.