Rules of Practice and Procedure; Presentation of Evidence in Commission Proceedings, 26517-26525 [2016-09759]

Agencies

• Federal Maritime Commission

[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 85 (Tuesday, May 3, 2016)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 26517-26525]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-09759]


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FEDERAL MARITIME COMMISSION

46 CFR Part 502

[Docket No. 16-08]
RIN 3072-AC64


Rules of Practice and Procedure; Presentation of Evidence in 
Commission Proceedings

AGENCY: Federal Maritime Commission.

ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: The Federal Maritime Commission is proposing to reorganize 
several subparts of its Rules of Practice and Procedure and revise its 
rules regarding presentation of evidence in Commission proceedings.

DATES: Submit comments on or before July 5, 2016.

ADDRESSES: You may submit comments, identified by the docket number in 
the heading of this document, by any of the following methods:
     Email: secretary@fmc.gov. Include in the subject line: 
``Docket No. 16-08, Commenter/Company Name.'' Comments should be 
attached to the email as a Microsoft Word or text-searchable PDF 
document. Comments containing confidential information should not be 
submitted by email.
     Mail: Karen V. Gregory, Secretary, Federal Maritime 
Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 20573-0001.
     Docket: For access to the docket to read background 
documents or comments received, go to: https://www.fmc.gov/16-08.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:  Karen V. Gregory, Secretary, Federal 
Maritime Commission, 800 North Capitol Street NW., Washington, DC 
20573-0001, Phone: (202) 523-5725, Email: secretary@fmc.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Commission is proposing to update or 
reorganize several subparts of 46 CFR part 502, its Rules of Practice 
and Procedure, and to substantively revise the subpart regarding how 
hearings are conducted to improve guidance concerning the presentation 
of evidence in Commission proceedings. Certain current rules would also 
be removed to clarify current practice and eliminate duplication.

Reorganization of Part 502

    Part 502 sets out the rules governing procedure in all types of 
Commission proceedings. However, after years of revisions, some users 
find the grouping and ordering of the subparts confusing. The 
Commission proposes to reorder and rename certain subparts to better 
reflect the chronology of a typical adjudication, and to distinguish 
other types of proceedings, as enumerated in this table:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                               Proposed New 46 CFR
   Current 46 CFR part 502          part 502              Revisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Subpart A, General            ....................  Redesignate Sec.
 Information.                                        502.141 as Sec.
                                                     502.14.
Subpart E, Proceedings;       Subpart E, Private    Separate subpart E
 Pleadings; Motions; Replies.  Complaints and        in to subparts E
                               Commission            and F, relocate and
                               Investigations.       regroup rules
                                                     within both
                                                     subparts.
Subpart F, Settlement;        Subpart F,            Separate subpart E
 Prehearing Procedure.         Petitions,            in to subparts E
                               Exemptions and        and F, relocate and
                               Orders to Show        regroup rules
                               Cause.                within both
                                                     subparts.
Subpart J, Hearings;          Subpart L,            Revise several
 Presiding Officers;           Presentation of       sections and
 Evidence.                     Evidence.             relocate all (see
                                                     Table below).
Subpart K, Shortened          Subpart K [Reserved]  Remove subpart K in
 Procedure.                                          its entirety.
Subpart L, Disclosures and    Subpart J,            Relocate and
 Discovery.                    Disclosures and       redesignate all
                               Discovery.            rules to subpart J.
Subpart M, Briefs; Requests   Subpart M;            Relocate Sec.
 for Findings; Decisions;      Decisions, Appeals,   502.153, remove
 Exceptions.                   Exceptions.           Sec.   502.222 and
                                                     retitle.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subpart A

    In subpart A several cross references would be corrected and 
current Sec.  502.141 that establishes the Commission may hold hearings 
that are not part of an adjudicatory process, would be moved to this 
subpart as general information and retitled.

Subpart D

    Cross references are corrected in subpart D.

Subpart E

    Subpart E, currently ``Proceedings, Pleading, Motions, Replies'' 
would apply only to adjudications of private complaints and Commission 
investigations and would be renamed ``Private Complaints and Commission 
Investigations.'' Revised subpart E would contain the procedures for 
institution of those proceedings, motions practice, opportunity for 
settlement, and other related rules. Section 502.61 which opens the 
subpart would be revised by moving and amending a rule on notice of 
hearings from subpart J.

Subpart F

    Current subpart F addresses Settlement and Prehearing Procedure. 
Inasmuch as those subject areas are part of the process in adjudicatory 
proceedings, they would be divided and moved into subpart E and a 
revised subpart L governing presentation of evidence.
    Subpart F would be revised to apply to proceedings other than 
private complaints and Commission investigations, titled: ``Petitions, 
Exemptions, and Orders to Show Cause.'' These types of proceedings are 
generally distinct from complaint and investigation proceedings. With 
clear headings, the proposed rules are intended to be easier for the 
user to locate. Revised subpart F would encompass current Sec. Sec.  
502.73 through 502.77.

Subparts J, and L

    The Commission proposes changes to subpart J, ``Hearings; Presiding 
Officers; Evidence'', and subpart L, ``Disclosure and Discovery'' to 
more logically and chronologically group the processes

[[Page 26518]]

conducted in a formal adjudication. Subpart L, Disclosure and Discovery 
would be moved in its entirety to subpart J. Current subpart J, 
Hearings, would be revised to encompass all rules governing the 
presentation of evidence and presented in revised subpart L titled 
``Presentation of Evidence.'' The proposed revisions to subpart J are 
discussed more extensively below.

Subpart K

    The Commission proposes to remove and reserve subpart K, 
``Shortened Procedure.'' Shortened procedure provides that, if the 
respondent consents, after briefing by the parties, the record is 
closed and a decision may be issued without discovery or an oral 
hearing. The procedure has rarely been requested, although parts of the 
procedure have become standard practice (e.g. not requiring an oral 
hearing). The procedure has not resulted in an ALJ decision in recent 
history, as the three proceedings utilizing shortened procedure since 
1998 have resulted in settlement. The Commission has made several rule 
revisions in the past five years that have enhanced the efficiency of 
formal complaint proceedings including the requirement for initial 
disclosures in discovery, (current Sec.  502.201), and the 
establishment of default rules in the absence of an answer, Sec.  
502.62(b)(6). Shortened procedure rules are not consistent with the 
requirement for initial disclosures, which help expedite all 
proceedings. If parties want to further limit discovery, that is 
possible without the provisions of Subpart K. Moreover the subparts S 
and T small claims proceedings may offer a solution to litigants 
seeking faster resolution of their disputes. The rules governing small 
claims proceedings are designed to make the litigation process faster 
and simpler for litigants seeking reparations of $50,000 or less.

Subpart M

    The Commission proposes to revise subpart M to cover only matters 
that occur after conclusion of the parties' presentations in 
proceedings (i.e., decisions, appeals and exceptions). The rules 
concerning briefs would be moved into revised subpart L, ``Presentation 
of Evidence.'' However, rules governing briefs to accompany exceptions 
will remain in subpart M. Current Sec.  502.153, Appeal from ruling of 
presiding officer other than orders or dismissal in whole or in part, 
would be moved into subpart M as it concerns an appeal.

------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Subpart M current section   Proposed new section        Revisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   502.221, Briefs;       Subpart L, Sec.       Revised for clarity.
 requests for findings.        502.214, Briefs.
Sec.   502.222, Requests for  Subpart L, Sec.       Revised for clarity.
 enlargement of time for       502.215.
 filing briefs.
Sec.  Sec.   502.223 through  Text unchanged......  ....................
 502.229.
Sec.   502.230, Reopening by  Sec.   502.230,       Rule concerning
 presiding officer or          Reopening by          supplementing
 Commission.                   Commission.           evidence prior to
                                                     an initial decision
                                                     would be moved to
                                                     Sec.   502.216,
                                                     Supplementing the
                                                     record.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

Subpart J, Hearings--Presentation of Evidence

    Currently subpart J, Hearings, presents the Commission's rules on 
hearings and presentation of evidence. The Commission proposes that 
these rules governing presentation of evidence be revised and presented 
in revised subpart L. The proposed revisions are intended to reflect 
the procedures currently used by the Commission, to utilize current 
language and standards set by the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure 
where appropriate, and to clarify and simplify rules where possible. 
Several rules currently in the subpart would be removed in their 
entirety to eliminate duplication and reflect current practice. The 
proposed revisions to subpart J are enumerated in the table below:

------------------------------------------------------------------------
                              Proposed new subpart
  Subpart J current section             L                 Revisions
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sec.   502.141, Hearings not  Move to subpart A...  Does not pertain to
 required by statute.                                adjudicatory
                                                     hearings.
Sec.   502.142, Hearings      Sec.   502.201,       Revised to define
 required by statute.          Applicability and     ``hearing''.
                               Scope.
Sec.   502.143, Notice of     Moved to Sec.         ....................
 nature of hearing,            502.61(c),
 jurisdiction and issues.      Proceedings.
Sec.   502.144, Notice of     Sec.   502.211......  Regroup with other
 time and place of hearing;                          rules pertaining
 postponement of hearing.                            only to oral
                                                     hearings.
Sec.  Sec.   502.145 through                        ....................
 502.149 [Reserved].
Sec.   502.150, Further       Remove..............  Within presiding
 evidence required by                                officer's authority
 presiding officer during                            to regulate a
 hearing.                                            hearing in Sec.
                                                     502.25(b)(3).
Sec.   502.151, Exceptions    Sec.   502.212......  Regroup with other
 to rulings of presiding                             rules pertaining
 officer unnecessary.                                only to oral
                                                     hearings.
Sec.   502.152, Offer of      Sec.   502.204(b)...  Moved because
 Proof.                                              related to
                                                     admissibility.
Sec.   502.153, Appeal from   Subpart M, Sec.       Revised and moved to
 ruling of presiding officer   502.221.              subpart M as it
 other than orders of                                concerns an appeal.
 dismissal in whole or in
 part.
Sec.   502.154, Rights of     Sec.   502.202......  Revised to mirror
 parties as to presentation                          APA.
 of evidence.
Sec.   502.155, Burden of     Sec.   502.203......  Revised for clarity.
 proof.
Sec.   502.156, Evidence      Sec.   502.204......  Revised to clarity.
 admissible.
Sec.   502.157, Written       Removed.............  Within presiding
 evidence.                                           officer's authority
                                                     to regulate a
                                                     hearing in Sec.
                                                     502.25(b)(3).
Sec.   502.158, Documents     Removed.............  Within presiding
 containing matter not                               officer's authority
 material.                                           to regulate a
                                                     hearing in Sec.
                                                     502.25(b)(3).
Sec.   502.159 [Reserved]...                        ....................
Sec.   502.160, Records in    Sec.   502.205......  ....................
 other proceedings.
Sec.   502.161, Commission's  Sec.   502.206,       Revised for clarity.
 files.                        Incorporation by
                               reference.
Sec.   502.162, Stipulations  Sec.   502.207......  Revised for clarity.

[[Page 26519]]

 
Sec.   502.163, Receipt of    Removed.............  Covered by proposed
 documents after hearing.                            Sec.   502.216,
                                                     Supplementing the
                                                     record.
Sec.   502.164, Oral          Removed.............  Within presiding
 argument at hearing.                                officer's authority
                                                     to regulate a
                                                     hearing in Sec.
                                                     502.25(b)(3).
Sec.   502.165, Official      Sec.   502.213......  Revised and
 Transcript.                                         modernized.
Sec.   502.166, Correction    Sec.   502.213......  ....................
 of transcript.
Sec.   502.167, Objection to  Sec.   502.208......  Revised to cross
 public disclosure of                                reference Sec.
 information.                                        502.5.
Sec.   502.168, Copies of     Removed.............  Covered by proposed
 data or evidence.                                   Sec.   502.212.
Sec.   502.169, Record of     Sec.   502.217......  Revised for clarity.
 decision.
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Following is a more detailed description of each proposed rule that 
would appear in revised subpart L.

Proposed Sec.  502.201, Applicability and Scope

    Proposed Sec.  502.201 is derived and moved from current Sec.  
502.142 and sets out the proceedings for which the rules in the subpart 
will apply. The term hearing would be defined as ``a formal 
adjudicatory proceeding in which evidence is presented orally, or 
through written statement, or by combination thereof'' to reflect the 
broader and more inclusive meaning of the term in current 
administrative practice.

Proposed Sec.  502.202, Rights of Parties as to Presentation of 
Evidence

    Proposed Sec.  502.202 is derived and moved from current Sec.  
502.154 but would be revised to reflect that the presiding officer may 
limit introduction of evidence if it is ``irrelevant, immaterial, or 
unduly repetitious'' mirroring the Administrative Procedure Act.

Proposed Sec.  502.203, Burden of Proof

    Proposed Sec.  502.203 is derived and moved from current Sec.  
502.155 and clarifies the language to include reference to motions for 
ease of understanding the burden of proof.

Proposed Sec.  502.204, Evidence Admissible

    Currently Sec.  502.156 states ``[u]nless inconsistent with the 
requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act and these Rules, the 
Federal Rules of Evidence . . . will also be applicable.'' The proposed 
revision would simplify the standard. Proposed Sec.  502.204 would 
revise Sec.  502.156 by restating the Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA) standard for admissibility that allows admission of all evidence 
which is relevant, material, reliable, and probative, and not unduly 
repetitious or cumulative, and by stating that the Presiding Officer 
may also look to the Federal Rules of Evidence (FRE) for guidance. The 
Commission is particularly interested to receive comment from the 
public on this particular revision and the applicability of the Federal 
Rules of Evidence.
    The Commission adopted the original language in Sec.  502.156 in 
1976, shortly after the FRE went into effect. 41 FR 20585, 20588 (May 
19, 1976). In the 1975 notice proposing the language, the Commission 
stated that the FRE could be of great use to the Commission's ALJs in 
disposing of evidentiary issues that arise in Commission proceedings, 
so long as they were consistent with the requirements of the APA. 40 FR 
43295, 43927 (September 24, 1975). The Commission went on to assert 
that, as a general matter, the FRE did not appear to be inconsistent 
with the APA. Id.
    In the years since the Commission promulgated this section, 
however, it has been generally acknowledged that there are, in fact, 
meaningful distinctions between the FRE and the APA. Specifically, the 
FRE are exclusionary in nature and were designed for jury trials in 
order to allow a presiding officer to determine what evidence a body of 
lay jurors should consider. See, e.g., Richard J. Pierce, Jr., 2 Admin. 
Law Treatise 909, Section 10, Evidence, 5th Ed. (2010). The APA, on the 
other hand, is founded on the principle that the presiding officer who 
is the decision maker is qualified to determine what evidence is 
relevant, probative and substantial.
    The inconsistences between the FRE and APA standards were evidently 
not apparent to the Commission when it adopted the language in Sec.  
502.156 in 1976. The rulemaking notices and the regulatory text reflect 
the assumption that both the APA and FRE could be applied in most 
circumstances without issue. Since promulgation of the section, 
however, the Commission ``has recognized the liberal standards of 
admissibility of evidence in administrative proceedings and has 
repeatedly `. . . identified the need for considerable relaxation of 
the rules of evidence followed by the federal courts in proceedings 
before the Commission.' '' Eurousa Shipping, Inc., et al--Possible 
Violations, 31 S.R.R. 540, 547 (FMC 2008) (quoting Pacific Champion 
Express Co., Ltd.--Possible Violations, 28 S.R.R. 1102, 1105-06 (ALJ 
1999). Given the divergence between the FRE and APA standards, the 
section's attempt to apply both standards simultaneously creates a 
tension in the regulation and could be confusing to parties.
    In 1986, the Administrative Conference of the United States (ACUS) 
published recommendations regarding the use of the FRE in 
administrative proceedings. ACUS compared three general categories of 
agency evidentiary rules. 1986 ACUS 6, 51 FR 25642. The category that 
is most analogous to Sec.  502.156 included ``rules that require 
presiding officers to apply the [FRE] `so far as practicable.' '' Id. 
ACUS identified four significant disadvantages with respect to this 
standard including:

    (1) Courts seem confused as to what it means or how to enforce 
it; (2) instructing presiding officers to exclude evidence based on 
the standard forces them to undertake a difficult and hazardous 
task; (3) excluding evidence on the basis that it is inadmissible in 
a jury trial is totally unnecessary to insure that agencies act only 
on the basis of reliable evidence; and (4) agencies, like other 
experts, should be permitted to rely on classes of evidence broader 
than those that can be considered by lay jurors.

Id. Accordingly, ACUS recommended that ``Congress should not require 
agencies to apply the [FRE], with or without the qualification `so far 
as practicable,' to limit the discretion of presiding officers to admit 
evidence in formal adjudications.'' Id. ACUS also recognized, however, 
the disadvantages of relying on the APA standard alone, and the 
Commission has tentatively concluded that the FRE can be useful as a 
guide for litigants and presiding officers. Accordingly, the Commission 
is proposing to explicitly provide that presiding officers may look to 
the FRE for guidance when determining the admissibility of evidence.
    The text of current Sec.  502.152 has been modernized to clarify 
the procedures governing when and how to make an offer of proof. The 
rule is moved into revised Sec.  502.204 as paragraph (b) as a

[[Page 26520]]

logical part of the rule governing admissibility of evidence.

Proposed Sec. Sec.  502.205 and 502.206, Documents Incorporated Into 
the Record by Reference

    Revising current Sec.  502.160 (proposed Sec.  502.205) allows 
documents in another Commission proceeding to be incorporated into the 
record by reference. Proposed Sec.  502.206 would allow material in any 
document on file with the Commission that is also available to the 
public to be incorporated into the record by reference.

Proposed Sec.  502.207, Stipulations

    Current Sec.  502.162 allows for stipulation. The Commission 
proposes to move the rule to Sec.  502.207 and to revise the language 
of that rule for clarity.

Proposed Sec.  502.208, Objection to Public Disclosure of Information

    Proposed Sec.  502.208 would revise current Sec.  502.167, 
Objection to public disclosure of information. The proposed change 
would add a cross reference to Sec.  502.5 where the Commission 
recently spelled out its requirements for submission of confidential 
material in a final rule. 80 FR 14318 (March 19, 2015).

Proposed Sec. Sec.  502.209 and 502.210, Prehearing Conference and 
Statements

    Current Sec. Sec.  502.94 and 502.95 would be moved from subpart E 
as they pertain to hearings. No substantive revisions would be made to 
the content of these rules.

Proposed Sec. Sec.  502.211 Through 502.213, Oral Hearings

    Proposed Sec. Sec.  502.211 through 502.213 would deal with oral 
hearings and would consist of the provisions found in current 
Sec. Sec.  502.144, 502.151, and 502.165. Current Sec.  502.165, 
Official transcript, requires revision as it currently contains a 
description of section 11 of the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA) 
and the Office of Management and Budget's (OMB) interpretation of that 
section, which are the basis for the Commission's regulations with 
respect to obtaining copies of transcripts. In order to simplify these 
provisions, the Commission is proposing to include in the new Sec.  
502.213 only the relevant requirements and to delete the aforementioned 
references to FACA and OMB's interpretation.

Proposed Sec. Sec.  502.214 and 502.215, Briefs

    Sections 502.221 and 502.222 concerning briefs would be included in 
this subpart and renumbered as Sec. Sec.  502.214 and 502.215. The last 
sentence of Sec.  502.221(a), which requires that the period of time 
for filing briefs will be the same for both parties, would be removed 
as setting time is within the powers of the presiding officer as 
established in recently revised Sec.  502.25. Section 502.221(c) would 
be deleted as it is not current practice for the Presiding Officer to 
``require the Bureau of Enforcement to file a request for findings of 
fact and conclusions within a reasonable time prior to the filing of 
briefs.'' Generally, the Commission's Bureau of Enforcement (BOE) files 
the first brief unless concurrent briefs are appropriate for the 
particular case; this is more appropriate to address in the scheduling 
order issued in each particular proceeding.

Proposed Sec.  502.216, Supplementing the Record

    Current Sec.  502.230(a), Motion to Reopen, would be renumbered, 
renamed and revised to provide instructions concerning submission of 
evidence after final presentations in a proceeding and prior to 
issuance of an initial decision. The language of the proposed rule and 
the proposed heading ``Supplementing the record'' is more descriptive 
of the current practice before the Commission's Administrative Law 
Judges but does not substantively revise the process or rights of a 
party to a proceeding.

Sec.  502.217, Record of Decision

    Current Sec.  502.169 would be moved to subpart L and the reference 
to ``filing and motions'' instead of ``paper and requests.''

Rulemaking Analyses and Notices

Regulatory Flexibility Act

    The Regulatory Flexibility Act (codified as amended at 5 U.S.C. 
601-612) provides that whenever an agency is required to publish a 
notice of proposed rulemaking under the Administrative Procedure Act 
(APA) (5 U.S.C. 553), the agency must prepare and make available for 
public comment an initial regulatory flexibility analysis (IRFA) 
describing the impact of the proposed rule on small entities. 5 U.S.C. 
603. An agency is not required to publish an IRFA, however, for the 
following types of rules, which are excluded from the APA's notice-and-
comment requirement: Interpretative rules; general statements of 
policy; rules of agency organization, procedure, or practice; and rules 
for which the agency for good cause finds that notice and comment is 
impracticable, unnecessary, or contrary to public interest. See 5 
U.S.C. 553.
    Although the Commission has elected to seek public comment on its 
proposed regulatory amendments to part 502, these amendments concern 
the Commission's and procedures. Therefore, the APA does not require 
publication of a notice of proposed rulemaking in this instance, and 
the Commission is not required to prepare an IRFA.

Paperwork Reduction Act

    The Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 (44 U.S.C. 3501-3521) requires 
an agency to seek and receive approval from the Office of Management 
and Budget (OMB) before collecting information from the public. 44 
U.S.C. 3507. The agency must submit collections of information in 
proposed rules to OMB in conjunction with the publication of the notice 
of proposed rulemaking. 5 CFR 1320.11. The Commission is not proposing 
any collections of information, as defined by 44 U.S.C. 3502(3) and 5 
CFR 1320.3(c), as part of this proposed rule.

Regulation Identifier Number

    The Commission assigns a regulation identifier number (RIN) to each 
regulatory action listed in the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory 
and Deregulatory Actions (Unified Agenda). The Regulatory Information 
Service Center publishes the Unified Agenda in April and October of 
each year. You may use the RIN contained in the heading at the 
beginning of this document to find this action in the Unified Agenda, 
available at https://www.reginfo.gov/public/do/eAgendaMain.

List of Subjects in 46 CFR Part 502

    Administrative practice and procedure, Archives and records, 
Business and industry, Classified information, Confidential business 
information, Consumer protection, Freedom of information, Government in 
the Sunshine Act, Government publications, Health records, Information, 
Newspapers and magazines, Paperwork requirements, Printing, 
publications, Privacy, Public meetings, Record retention, Records, 
Reporting and recordkeeping requirements, Trade names, Trade practices.

    For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Maritime

[[Page 26521]]

Commission proposes to amend 46 CFR part 502 as follows:

PART 502--RULES OF PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE

0
1. The authority citation for part 502 continues to read as follows:

    Authority:  5 U.S.C. 504, 551, 552, 553, 556(c), 559, 561-569, 
571-596, 18 U.S.C. 207; 28 U.S.C. 2112(a); 31 U.S.C. 9701; 46 U.S.C. 
305, 40103-40104, 40304, 40306, 40501-40503, 40701-40706, 41101-
41109, 41301-41309, 44101-44106; E.O. 11222 of May 8, 1965.


Sec.  502.5  [Amended]

0
2. Amend Sec.  502.5:
0
a. In the introductory text, by removing the phrase ``502.167, 
502.201(j)(1)(vii)'' and adding in its place the phrase 
``502.141(j)(1)(vii), 502.208'', and by removing the reference ``Sec.  
502.201(j)'' and adding in its place the reference ``Sec.  
502.141(j)''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b) by removing the reference ``Sec.  
502.201(j)(1)(vii)'' and adding in its place the reference ``Sec.  
502.141(j)(1)(vii)''.


Sec.  502.6  [Amended]

0
3. Amend Sec.  502.6(c) by removing the phrase ``Sec.  502.203 or Sec.  
502.204'' and adding in its place the phrase ``Sec.  502.143 or Sec.  
502.144''.


Sec.  501.10  [Amended]

0
4. Amend Sec.  502.10 by removing the reference ``502.153'' and adding 
in its place the reference ``502.221''.

Subpart D--Rulemaking


Sec.  502.52  [Amended]

0
5. Amend Sec.  502.52 by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.143'' and 
adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.61(c)''.


Sec.  502.53  [Amended]

0
6. Amend Sec.  502.53(a) by removing the reference ``subpart J'' and 
adding in its place the reference ``subpart L''.

Subpart E--Private Complaints and Commission Investigations

0
7. Revise the subpart E heading to read as set forth above.
0
8. Amend Sec.  502.61 by removing the words ``under normal or shortened 
procedures (subpart K)'' and the last sentence from paragraph (a); 
redesignating paragraph (b) as paragraph (d) and adding a new paragraph 
(b) and paragraph (c) to read as follows:


Sec.  502.61  Proceedings.

* * * * *
    (b) The Commission may commence a proceeding for a rulemaking, for 
an adjudication (including Commission enforcement action under Sec.  
502.63), or a non-adjudicatory investigation upon petition or on its 
own initiative by issuing an appropriate order.
    (c) Persons entitled to notice of hearings, except those notified 
by complaint service under Sec.  502.113, will be duly and timely 
informed of the nature of the proceeding, the legal authority and 
jurisdiction under which the proceeding is conducted, and the terms, 
substance, and issues involved, or the matters of fact and law 
asserted, as the case may be. Such notice will be published in the 
Federal Register unless all persons subject thereto are named and 
either are served or otherwise have notice thereof in accordance with 
law.
* * * * *


Sec.  502.69  [Amended]

0
9. Amend Sec.  502.69(f) by removing ``shortened procedure (subpart K 
of this part)'' and removing the citation ``Sec.  502.221'' and adding 
in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.214''.

Subpart F--Petitions, Exemptions, and Orders To Show Cause

0
10. Revise the subpart F heading to read as set forth above.


Sec. Sec.  502.91 through 502.95   [Removed]

0
11. Remove Sec. Sec.  502.91 through 502.95.


Sec. Sec.  502.73 through 502.77   [Redesignated as Sec. Sec.  502.91 
through 502.95]

0
12. Redesignate Sec. Sec.  502.73 through 502.77 as Sec. Sec.  502.91 
through 502.95, respectively, and place them under subpart F.


Sec. Sec.  502.78 and 502.79   [Redesignated as Sec. Sec.  502.73 and 
502.74]

0
13. Redesignate Sec. Sec.  502.78 and 502.79 as Sec. Sec.  502.73 and 
502.74, respectively, in subpart E.
0
14. Add a new Sec.  502.75 to subpart E to read as follows:


Sec.  502.75  Opportunity for informal settlement.

    (a) Parties are encouraged to make use of all the procedures of 
this part that are designed to simplify or avoid formal litigation, and 
to assist the parties in reaching settlements whenever it appears that 
a particular procedure would be helpful.
    (b) Where time, the nature of the proceeding, and the public 
interest permit, all interested parties will have the opportunity for 
the submission and consideration of facts, argument, offers of 
settlement, or proposal of adjustment, without prejudice to the rights 
of the parties.
    (c) No settlement offer, or proposal will be admissible in evidence 
over the objection of any party in any hearing on the matter.
    (d) As soon as practicable after the commencement of any 
proceeding, the presiding officer will direct the parties or their 
representatives to consider the use of alternative dispute resolution, 
including but not limited to mediation, and may direct the parties or 
their representatives to consult with the Federal Maritime Commission 
Alternative Dispute Resolution Specialist about the feasibility of 
alternative dispute resolution.
    (e) Any party may request that a mediator or other neutral be 
appointed to assist the parties in reaching a settlement. If such a 
request or suggestion is made and is not opposed, the presiding officer 
will appoint a mediator or other neutral who is acceptable to all 
parties, coordinating with the Federal Maritime Commission Alternative 
Dispute Resolution Specialist. The mediator or other neutral will 
convene and conduct one or more mediation or other sessions with the 
parties and will inform the presiding officer, within the time 
prescribed by the presiding officer, whether the dispute resolution 
proceeding resulted in a resolution or not, and may make 
recommendations as to future proceedings. If settlement is reached, it 
will be submitted to the presiding officer who will issue an 
appropriate decision or ruling. All such dispute resolution proceedings 
are subject to the provisions of subpart U of this part.
    (f) Any party may request that a settlement judge be appointed to 
assist the parties in reaching a settlement. If such a request or 
suggestion is made and is not opposed, the presiding officer will 
advise the Chief Administrative Law Judge who may appoint a settlement 
judge who is acceptable to all parties. The settlement judge will 
convene and preside over conferences and settlement negotiations and 
will report to the presiding officer within the time prescribed by the 
Chief Administrative Law Judge, on the results of settlement 
discussions with appropriate recommendations as to future proceedings. 
If settlement is reached, it must be submitted to the presiding officer 
who will issue an appropriate decision or ruling. [Rule 75.]
0
15. Revise the newly redesignated Sec.  502.91 to read as follows:


Sec.  502.91  Order to show cause.

    The Commission may institute a proceeding by order to show cause. 
The order will be served upon all persons named therein, will include 
the information specified in Sec.  502.221, will

[[Page 26522]]

require the person named therein to answer, and may require such person 
to appear at a specified time and place and present evidence upon the 
matters specified. [Rule 91.]

Exhibit No. 1 to Subpart F of Part 502 [Removed]

0
16. Remove heading, ``Exhibit No. 1 to Subpart F of Part 502''.

Subpart H--Service of Documents


Sec.  502.114  [Amended]

0
17. Amend Sec.  502.114(a) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.145'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.131''.


Sec.  502.118  [Removed]

0
18. Remove Sec.  502.118.

Subpart I--Subpoenas


Sec.  502.132  [Amended]

0
19. Amend Sec.  502.132(c) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.203'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143''.


Sec.  502.136  [Amended]

0
20. Amend Sec.  502.136 by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.210(b)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.150(b)''.

Subpart J--Disclosures and Discovery

0
21. Revise the subpart J heading to read as set forth above.
0
22. Redesignate Sec.  502.141 as Sec.  502.14, place it under subpart 
A, and revise the section heading to read as follows:


Sec.  502.14  Public hearings.

* * * * *


Sec. Sec.  502.142 through 502.150   [Removed]

0
23. Remove Sec. Sec.  502.142 through 502.150.


Sec. Sec.  502.201 through 502.210  [Redesignated as Sec. Sec.  502.141 
through 502.150]

0
24. Redesignate Sec. Sec.  502.201 through 502.210 as Sec. Sec.  
502.141 through 502.150, respectively, and place them under subpart J.


Sec.  502.143  [Amended]

0
25. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.143:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.203(a)(2)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143(a)(2);
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2)(i) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.204'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.144'';
0
c. In paragraph (b)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.206'' and 
adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.146'';
0
d. In paragraph (b)(5)(i) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.202'' 
and adding in its place the citation``Sec.  502.142'';
0
e. In paragraph (b)(5)(ii) by removing the citation ``Sec.  
502.203(b)(5)(i)(A)'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  
502.143(b)(5)(i)(A)'';
0
f. In paragraph (c)(1) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.154'' and 
adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.202'' and by removing the 
citation ``Sec.  502.203(b)(3)'' and adding in its place the citation 
``Sec.  502.143(b)(3)'';
0
g. In paragraph (c)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.203(d)(2)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143(d)(2)'';
0
h. In paragraph (d)(1) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(e)(2)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(e)'';
0
i. In paragraph (d)(2)(ii) by removing the citation ``Sec.  
502.201(j)'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(j)''; 
and
0
j. In paragraph (e)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.203(f)(1)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143(f)(1)''.


Sec.  502.144  [Amended]

0
26. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.144:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(2)(i) by removing the citation``Sec.  502.203'' and 
adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143'';
0
b. In paragraph (1)(4) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.203(b)(6)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.143(b)(6)''.


Sec.  502.145  [Amended]

0
27. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.145:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(e)(2)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(e)(2)'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(e) and 
(f)'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(e) and (f)'' 
; and
0
c. In paragraph (b)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(l)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(l)''.


Sec.  502.146  [Amended]

0
28. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.146:
0
a. In paragraph (a) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(e) and 
(f)'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(e) and 
(f)''; and
0
b. In paragraph (b)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.201(l)'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.141(l)''.


Sec.  502.147  [Amended]

0
29. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.147(a)(3) by removing the 
citation ``Sec.  502.201(l)'' and adding in its place the citation 
``Sec.  502.141(l)''.


Sec.  502.148  [Amended]

0
30. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.148(a) by removing the citation 
``Sec. Sec.  502.202 through 502.207'' and adding in its place the 
citation ``Sec. Sec.  502.142 through 502.147''.


Sec.  502.149  [Amended]

0
31. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.149:
0
a. In paragraph (a)(1)(iii) by removing the citation ``Sec.  
502.209(a)(2) through (7)'' and adding in its place the citation``Sec.  
502.149(a)(2) through (7)'';
0
b. In paragraph (a)(2) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.156 of 
subpart J'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.204 of 
subpart L'';
0
c. In paragraph (a)(3) by removing the phrase ``Sec.  502.203(b)(6) or 
Sec.  502.204(a)(4)'' and adding in its place the phrase ``Sec.  
502.143(b)(6) or Sec.  502.144(a)(4);
0
d. In paragraph (a)(7) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.156 of 
subpart J'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.204 of 
subpart L'';
0
e. In paragraph (b) by removing the phrase ``Sec.  502.202(b) and Sec.  
502.209(d)(3)'' and adding in its place the phrase ``Sec.  502.142(b) 
and Sec.  502.149(d)(3)''; and
0
f. In paragraph (d)(3)(iii) by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.204'' 
and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  502.144''.


Sec.  502.150  [Amended]

0
32. Amend newly redesignated Sec.  502.150(a)(1) by removing the 
citation ``Sec.  502.201'' and adding in its place the citation ``Sec.  
502.141'' and by removing the citation ``Sec.  502.206'' and adding in 
its place the citation ``Sec.  502.146''.


Sec. Sec.  502.151 through 502.169  [Removed and reserved]

0
33. Remove and reserve Sec. Sec.  502.151 through 502.169.

Subpart K [Removed and reserved]

0
34. Remove and reserve subpart K, consisting of Sec. Sec.  502.181 
through 502.187.
0
35. Revise subpart L to read as follows:

Subpart L--Presentation of Evidence

Sec.
502.201 Applicability and scope.
502.202 Right of parties to present evidence.
502.203 Burden of proof.
502.204 Evidence admissible.
502.205 Records in other proceedings.
502.206 Documents incorporated into the record by reference.
502.207 Stipulations.
502.208 Objection to public disclosure of information.
502.209 Prehearing conference.
502.210 Prehearing statements.
502.211 Notice of time and place of oral hearing; postponement of 
hearing.
502.212 Exceptions to rulings of presiding officer unnecessary.
502.213 Official transcript.
502.214 Briefs; requests for findings.

[[Page 26523]]

502.215 Requests for enlargement of time for filing briefs.
502.216 Supplementing the record.
502.217 Record of decision.


Sec.  502.201  Applicability and scope.

    (a) The rules in this subpart apply to adjudicatory proceedings 
conducted under the statutes administered by the Commission involving 
matters which require determination after notice and opportunity for 
hearing. Adjudicatory proceedings are formal proceedings commenced upon 
the filing of a sworn complaint or by Order of the Commission. Such 
proceedings will be conducted pursuant to the Administrative Procedure 
Act, 5 U.S.C. 554, and the rules in this subpart.
    (b) The term hearing means a formal adjudicatory proceeding in 
which evidence is presented orally, or through written statements, or 
by combination thereof. The term oral hearing means a hearing at which 
evidence is presented through oral testimony of a witness. [Rule 201].


Sec.  502.202  Right of parties to present evidence.

    Every party has the right to present its case or defense by oral or 
documentary evidence, to submit rebuttal evidence, and to conduct such 
cross-examination as may be required for a full and true disclosure of 
the facts. The presiding officer, however, has the right and duty to 
limit the introduction of evidence and the examination and cross-
examination of witnesses when, in his or her judgment, such evidence or 
examination is irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious. [Rule 
202.]


Sec.  502.203  Burden of proof.

    In all cases governed by the requirements of the Administrative 
Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 556(d), the burden of proof is on the proponent 
of the motion or the order. [Rule 203.]


Sec.  502.204  Evidence admissible.

    (a) In any proceeding under the rules in this part and in 
accordance with the Administrative Procedure Act, all evidence which is 
relevant, material, reliable and probative, and not unduly repetitious 
or cumulative, will be admissible. All other evidence will be excluded. 
The Presiding Officer may look to the Federal Rules of Evidence for 
guidance.
    (b) A party who objects to a ruling of the presiding officer 
rejecting or excluding proffered evidence may make an offer of proof. 
If the ruling excludes proffered oral testimony, an offer of proof may 
consist of a statement by counsel of the substance of the evidence that 
would be adduced, or in the discretion of the presiding officer, 
testimony of the witness. If the ruling excludes documentary evidence 
or reference to documents or records, the evidence shall be marked for 
identification and will constitute the offer of proof. [Rule 204.]


Sec.  502.205  Records in other proceedings.

    Portions of the record of other proceedings may be received in 
evidence. A true copy of such portion must be presented for the record 
in the form of an exhibit unless the presiding officer accepts the 
parties' stipulation that such portion may be incorporated by 
reference. [Rule 205.]


Sec.  502.206  Documents incorporated into the record by reference.

    Any matter contained in a document on file with the Commission that 
is available to the public may be received in evidence through 
incorporation by reference without producing such document, provided 
that the matter so offered is specified in such manner as to be clearly 
identified, with sufficient particularity, and readily located 
electronically. [Rule 206.]


Sec.  502.207  Stipulations.

    The parties may, and are encouraged, to stipulate any facts 
involved in the proceeding and include them in the record with the 
consent of the presiding officer. A stipulation may be admitted even if 
all parties do not agree, provided that any party who does not agree to 
the stipulation has the right to cross-examine and offer rebuttal 
evidence. [Rule 207.]


Sec.  502.208  Objection to public disclosure of information.

    (a) If any party wishes to present confidential information or upon 
objection to public disclosure of any information sought to be 
elicited, the requirements and procedures in Sec.  502.5 will apply.
    (b) In an oral hearing, the presiding officer may in his or her 
discretion order that a witness will disclose such information only in 
the presence of the parties and those designated and authorized by the 
presiding officer. Any transcript of such testimony will be held 
confidential to the extent the presiding officer determines. Copies of 
transcripts will be served only to authorized parties or their 
representatives or other parties as the presiding officer may 
designate.
    (c) Any information given pursuant to this section may be used by 
the presiding officer or the Commission if deemed necessary to a 
correct decision in the proceeding. [Rule 208.]


Sec.  502.209  Prehearing conference.

    (a)(1) Prior to any hearing, the Commission or presiding officer 
may direct all interested parties, by written notice, to attend one or 
more prehearing conferences for the purpose of considering any 
settlement under Sec.  502.91, formulating the issues in the proceeding 
and determining other matters to aid in its disposition. In addition to 
any offers of settlement or proposals of adjustment, the following may 
be considered:
    (i) Simplification of the issues;
    (ii) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings;
    (iii) The possibility of obtaining admissions of fact and of 
documents that will avoid unnecessary proof;
    (iv) Limitation of the number of witnesses;
    (v) The procedure to be used at the hearing;
    (vi) The distribution to the parties prior to the hearing of 
written testimony and exhibits;
    (vii) Consolidation of the examination of witnesses by counsel;
    (viii) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition of the 
proceeding.
    (2) Prior to the hearing, the presiding officer may require, 
exchange of exhibits and any other material that may expedite the 
hearing. The presiding officer will assume the responsibility of 
accomplishing the purposes of the notice of prehearing conference so 
far as this may be possible without prejudice to the rights of any 
party.
    (3) The presiding officer will rule upon all matters presented for 
decision, orally upon the record when feasible, or by subsequent ruling 
in writing. If a party determines that a ruling made orally does not 
cover fully the issue presented, or is unclear, such party may petition 
for a further ruling within ten (10) days after receipt of the 
transcript.
    (b) In any proceeding under the rules in this part, the presiding 
officer may call the parties together for an informal conference prior 
to the taking of testimony, or may recess the hearing for such a 
conference, with a view to carrying out the purposes of this section.
    (c) At any prehearing conference, consideration may be given to 
whether the use of alternative dispute resolution would be appropriate 
or useful for the disposition of the proceeding whether or not there 
has been previous consideration of such use. [Rule 209.]


Sec.  502.210  Prehearing statements.

    (a) Unless a waiver is granted by the presiding officer, it is the 
duty of all parties to a proceeding to prepare a statement or 
statements at a time and in

[[Page 26524]]

the manner to be established by the presiding officer provided that 
there has been reasonable opportunity for discovery. To the extent 
possible, joint statements should be prepared.
    (b) The prehearing statement must state the name of the party or 
parties on whose behalf it is presented and briefly set forth the 
following matters, unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer:
    (1) Issues involved in the proceeding.
    (2) Facts stipulated pursuant to the procedures together with a 
statement that the party or parties have communicated or conferred in a 
good faith effort to reach stipulation to the fullest extent possible.
    (3) Facts in dispute.
    (4) Witnesses and exhibits by which disputed facts will be 
litigated.
    (5) A brief statement of applicable law.
    (6) The conclusion to be drawn.
    (7) Suggested time and location of hearing and estimated time 
required for presentation of the party's or parties' case.
    (8) Any appropriate comments, suggestions, or information which 
might assist the parties in preparing for the hearing or otherwise aid 
in the disposition of the proceeding.
    (c) The presiding officer may, for good cause shown, permit a party 
to introduce facts or argue points of law outside the scope of the 
facts and law outlined in the prehearing statement. Failure to file a 
prehearing statement, unless waiver has been granted by the presiding 
officer, may result in dismissal of a party from the proceeding, 
dismissal of a complaint, judgment against respondents, or imposition 
of such other sanctions as may be appropriate under the circumstances.
    (d) Following the submission of prehearing statements, the 
presiding officer may, upon motion or otherwise, convene a prehearing 
conference for the purpose of further narrowing issues and limiting the 
scope of the hearing if, in his or her opinion, the prehearing 
statements indicate lack of dispute of material fact not previously 
acknowledged by the parties or lack of legitimate need for cross-
examination and is authorized to issue appropriate orders consistent 
with the purposes stated in this section. [Rule 210.]


Sec.  502.211  Notice of time and place of oral hearing; postponement 
of hearing.

    (a) The notice of an oral hearing will designate the time and place 
the person or persons who will preside, and the type of decision to be 
issued. The date or place of a hearing for which notice has been issued 
may be changed when warranted. Reasonable notice will be given to the 
parties or their representatives of the time and place of the change 
thereof, due regard being had for the public interest and the 
convenience and necessity of the parties or their representatives. 
Notice may be served by mail, facsimile transmission, or electronic 
mail.
    (b) Motions for postponement of any hearing date must be filed in 
accordance with Sec.  502.104. [Rule 211.]


Sec.  502.212  Exceptions to rulings of presiding officer unnecessary.

    A formal exception to a ruling or order is unnecessary. When the 
ruling or order is requested or made, the party doing so need only 
state the action that it wants the presiding officer to take or that it 
objects to, along with the grounds for the request or objection. 
Failing to object does not prejudice a party who had no opportunity to 
do so when the ruling or order was made. [Rule 212.]


Sec.  502.213  Official transcript.

    (a) The Commission will designate the official reporter for all 
hearings. The official transcript of testimony taken, together with any 
exhibits and any briefs or memoranda of law filed therewith, will be 
filed with the Commission. Transcripts of testimony will be available 
in any proceeding under the rules in this part, at actual cost of 
duplication.
    (b)(1) Where the Commission does not request daily copy service, 
any party requesting such service must bear the incremental cost of 
transcription above the regular copy transcription cost borne by the 
Commission, in addition to the actual cost of duplication. Where the 
party applies for and properly shows that the furnishing of daily copy 
is indispensable to the protection of a vital right or interest in 
achieving a fair hearing, the presiding officer in the proceeding in 
which the application is made will order that daily copy service be 
provided the applying party at the actual cost of duplication, with the 
full cost of transcription being borne by the Commission.
    (2) In the event a request for daily copy is denied by the 
presiding officer, the requesting party, in order to obtain daily copy, 
must pay the cost of transcription over and above that borne by the 
Commission, i.e., the incremental cost between that paid by the 
Commission when it requests regular copy and when it requests daily 
copy. The decision of the presiding officer in this situation is 
interpreted as falling within the scope of the functions and powers of 
the presiding officer, as defined in Sec.  502.25(a).
    (c) Motions made at the hearing to correct the transcript will be 
acted upon by the presiding officer. Motions made after an oral hearing 
to correct the record must be filed with the presiding officer within 
twenty-five (25) days after the last day of hearing or any session 
thereof, unless otherwise directed by the presiding officer, and must 
be served on all parties. If no objections are received within ten (10) 
days after date of service, the transcript will, upon approval of the 
presiding officer, be changed to reflect such corrections. If 
objections are received, the motion will be acted upon with due 
consideration of the stenographic record of the hearing. [Rule 213.]


Sec.  502.214  Briefs; requests for findings.

    (a) The presiding officer will determine the time and manner of 
filing briefs and any enlargement of time.
    (b) Briefs will be served upon all parties pursuant to subpart H of 
this part.
    (c) Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer, opening or 
initial briefs must contain the following matters in separately 
captioned sections:
    (1) Introductory section describing the nature and background of 
the case;
    (2) Proposed findings of fact in serially numbered paragraphs with 
reference to exhibit numbers and pages of the transcript;
    (3) Argument based upon principles of law with appropriate 
citations of the authorities relied upon; and
    (4) Conclusions.
    (d) All briefs must contain a subject index or table of contents 
with page references and a list of authorities cited.
    (e) All briefs filed pursuant to this section must ordinarily be 
limited to eighty (80) pages in length, exclusive of pages containing 
the table of contents, table of authorities, and certificate of 
service, unless the presiding officer allows the parties to exceed this 
limit for good cause shown and upon application filed not later than 
seven (7) days before the time fixed for filing of such a brief or 
reply. [Rule 214.]


Sec.  502.215  Requests for enlargement of time for filing briefs.

    Requests for enlargement of time to file briefs must conform to the 
requirements of Sec.  502.102. [Rule 215.]


Sec.  502.216  Supplementing the record.

    A motion to supplement the record, pursuant to Sec.  502.69, should 
be filed if submission of evidence is desired after the parties' 
presentation in a proceeding, but before issuance by the

[[Page 26525]]

presiding officer of an initial decision. [Rule 216.]


Sec.  502.217  Record of decision.

    The transcript of testimony and exhibits, together with all filings 
and motions filed in the proceeding, will constitute the exclusive 
record for decision. [Rule 217.]

Subpart M--Decisions; Appeals; Exceptions

0
36. Revise the subpart M heading to read as set forth above.
0
37. Revise Sec.  502.221 to read as follows:


Sec.  502.221  Appeal from ruling of presiding officer other than 
orders of dismissal in whole or in part.

    (a) Rulings of the presiding officer may not be appealed prior to 
or during the course of the hearing, or subsequent thereto, if the 
proceeding is still before him or her, except where the presiding 
officer finds it necessary to allow an appeal to the Commission to 
prevent substantial delay, expense, or detriment to the public 
interest, or undue prejudice to a party.
    (b) Any party seeking to appeal must file a motion for leave to 
appeal no later than fifteen (15) days after written service or oral 
notice of the ruling in question, unless the presiding officer, for 
good cause shown, enlarges or shortens the time. Any such motion must 
contain the grounds for leave to appeal and the appeal itself.
    (c) Replies to the motion for leave to appeal and the appeal may be 
filed within fifteen (15) days after date of service thereof, unless 
the presiding officer, for good cause shown, enlarges or shortens the 
time. If the motion is granted, the presiding officer must certify the 
appeal to the Commission.
    (d) Unless otherwise provided, the certification of the appeal will 
not operate as a stay of the proceeding before the presiding officer.
    (e) The provisions of Sec.  502.10 do not apply to this section. 
[Rule 221.]


Sec.  502.222  [Removed and reserved]

0
38. Remove and reserve Sec.  502.222.
0
39. Revise Sec.  502.230 to read as follows:


Sec.  502.230  Reopening by Commission.

    (a) Reopening by the Commission. After an initial decision by the 
presiding officer, or in a matter otherwise pending before the 
Commission, but before issuance of a Commission decision, the 
Commission may, after petition and reply in conformity with paragraphs 
(b) and (c) of this section, or upon its own motion, reopen a 
proceeding for the purpose of taking further evidence.
    (b) Motion to reopen. A motion to reopen shall be served in 
conformity with the requirements of subpart H and will set forth the 
grounds requiring reopening of the proceeding, including material 
changes of fact or law alleged to have occurred.
    (c) Reply. Within ten (10) days following service of a motion to 
reopen, any party may reply to such motion.
    (d) Remand by the Commission. Nothing contained in this rule 
precludes the Commission from remanding a proceeding to the presiding 
officer for the taking of addition evidence or determining points of 
law. [Rule 230.]

    By the Commission.
Karen V. Gregory,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2016-09759 Filed 5-2-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 6731-AA-P