OFFICE OF ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

ORIGIN & FUNCTIONS

The Office of Administrative Hearings was authorized in 1989 and established in January 1990 (Chapter 788, Acts of 1989). An administrative hearing provides the opportunity for a citizen to appear before an Administrative Law Judge to obtain an unbiased and objective review of an action taken by a State administrative agency with which the citizen disagrees. The Office hears all contested State administrative law cases except for those concerning agencies exempted by law.

The Office is headed by the Chief Administrative Law Judge, who is appointed to a six-year term by the Governor with Senate advice and consent (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1601 through 9-1610).

STATE ADVISORY COUNCIL ON ADMINISTRATIVE HEARINGS

Authorized in 1989, the State Advisory Council on Administrative Hearings, was created in 1990 (Chapter 788, Acts of 1989). The Council advises the Chief Administrative Law Judge and identifies issues of importance to Administrative Law Judges that should be addressed by the Chief Administrative Law Judge. The Council also reviews matters relating to administrative hearings and the administrative process, as well as policies and regulations proposed by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

Of the Council's nine members, six are appointed to four-year terms by the Governor. The Senate President chooses a senator and the House Speaker a delegate to serve on the Council. The Attorney General serves ex officio (Code State Government Article, secs. 9-1608 through 9-1610).

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