[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 31]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR791.30]

[Page 29-30]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 791_DATA REIMBURSEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B_Hearing Procedures
 
Sec.  791.30  Hearing procedures.

    (a) Representation by counsel. Any party may be represented by 
counsel. A party intending to be so represented shall notify the other 
parties and the American Arbitration Association of the name and address 
of counsel at least 5 days prior to the date set for the hearing at 
which counsel is first to appear. When a hearing is initiated by 
counsel, or where an attorney replies for the other party, such notice 
is deemed to have been given.
    (b) Stenographic record. The American Arbitration Association shall 
make the necessary arrangements for the taking of a stenographic record. 
The parties shall share the cost of such record.
    (c) Attendance at hearings. The hearing officer shall have the power 
to require the exclusion of anyone, including a party or other essential 
person, during the testimony of any witness to protect confidential 
business information. It shall be discretionary with the hearing officer 
to determine the propriety of the attendance of any other person.
    (d) Oaths. Hearing officers shall swear or affirm their neutrality 
and their dedication to a fair and equitable resolution. Witnesses shall 
swear or affirm that they are telling the truth.
    (e) Order of proceedings. (1) A hearing shall be opened by the 
filing of the oath of the hearing officer and by the recording of the 
place, time and date of the hearing, the presence of the hearing officer 
and parties, and counsel, if any, and by the receipt by the hearing 
officer of the request for hearing and answer, if any.
    (2) The hearing officer may, at the beginning of the hearing, ask 
for statements clarifying the issues involved.
    (3) The party or parties seeking reimbursement shall then present a 
claim and proofs and witnesses, who shall submit to questions or other 
examination. The party or parties from whom reimbursement is sought 
shall then present a defense and proofs and witnesses, who shall submit 
to questions or other examination. The hearing officer has discretion to 
vary this procedure but shall afford full and equal opportunity to all 
parties for the presentation of any material or relevant proofs.
    (4) Exhibits, when offered by any party, shall be received in 
evidence by the hearing officer. The names and addresses of all 
witnesses and exhibits in order received shall be made a part of the 
record.
    (f) Hearing in the absence of a party. A hearing may proceed in the 
absence of any party which, after due notice, fails to be present or 
fails to obtain an adjournment. An award shall not be made solely on the 
default of a party. The hearing officer shall require the parties who 
are present to submit such evidence as the hearing officer may require 
for the making of an award.
    (g) Evidence. (1) The parties may offer such evidence as they desire 
and shall produce such additional evidence as the hearing officer may 
deem necessary to an understanding and determination of the dispute. The 
hearing officer shall be the judge of the relevancy and materiality of 
the evidence offered and conformity to legal rules of evidence shall not 
be necessary. All evidence shall be taken in the presence of all the 
hearing officers and of all the parties, except where any of the parties 
is absent in default, has waived the right to be present, or has been 
excluded by the hearing officer to protect confidential business 
information.
    (2) All documents not filed with the hearing officer at the hearing, 
but arranged for by agreement of the parties, shall be filed with the 
American Arbitration Association for transmission to the hearing 
officer, according to the agreed-upon schedule. All parties shall be 
afforded opportunity to examine such documents.
    (h) Evidence by affidavit and filing of documents. The hearing 
officer shall receive and consider the evidence of witnesses by 
affidavit, but shall give it only such weight as the hearing officer

[[Page 30]]

deems it entitled to after consideration of any objections made to its 
admission.
    (i) Closing of hearings. The hearing officer shall specifically 
inquire of all parties whether they have any further proofs to offer or 
witnesses to be heard. Upon receiving negative replies, the hearing 
officer shall declare the hearings closed and record the time of closing 
of the hearing. If briefs are to be filed, the hearings shall be 
declared closed as of the final date set by the hearing officer for the 
receipt of briefs. If documents are to be filed as provided for in 
paragraph (g)(2) of this section and the date set for their receipt is 
later than that set for the receipt of briefs, the later date shall be 
the date of closing the hearings.
    (j) Reopening of hearings. The hearings may be reopened on the 
hearing officer's own motion, or upon application of a party at any time 
before the award is made. If the reopening of the hearings would prevent 
the making of the award within the specified time the matter may not be 
reopened, unless the parties agree upon the extension of the time limit.
    (k) Waiver of oral hearings. The parties may provide, by written 
agreement, for the waiver of oral hearings. If the parties are unable to 
agree as to the procedure, the American Arbitration Association shall 
specify a fair and equitable procedure.
    (l) Waiver of rules. Any party who proceeds with the hearing after 
knowledge that any provision or requirement of these rules has not been 
complied with and who fails to state objection thereto in writing, shall 
be deemed to have waived the right to object.
    (m) Extensions of time. The parties may modify any period of time by 
mutual agreement. The American Arbitration Association for good cause 
may extend any period of time established by these rules, except the 
time for making the award. (Sec.  791.37(a)) The American Arbitration 
Association shall notify the parties of any such extension of time and 
its reason therefor.
    (n) Communication with hearing officer. There shall be no direct 
communication between the parties and a hearing officer other than at 
oral hearings. Any other oral or written communications from the parties 
to the hearing officer shall be directed to the American Arbitration 
Association for transmittal to the hearing officer.