OAR 137-003-0075: Final Orders by Default

(1) The agency may issue a final order by default: (a) When the agency gave a party an opportunity to request a hearing and the party failed to request a hearing within the time allowed to make a request; (b) When the party that requested a hearing withdraws the request; (c) Except as provided in section (2) of this rule, when the agency notified the party of the time and place of the hearing and the party fails to appear at the hearing; or (d) When the agency notified the party of the time and place of the hearing in a matter in which only one party is before the agency and that party subsequently notifies the agency that the party will not appear at the hearing, unless the agency agreed to reschedule the hearing. (2) If the party failed to appear at the hearing and, before issuing a final order by default, the agency finds that the failure of the party to appear was caused by circumstances beyond the party's reasonable control, the agency may not issue a final order by default under section (1)(c) of this rule but shall schedule a new hearing. (3) The agency may issue a final order that is adverse to a party by default only after making a prima facie case on the record. The agency must find that the record, including all materials submitted by the party, contains evidence that persuades the agency of the existence of facts necessary to support the order. If the record on default consists solely of an application and other materials submitted by the party, the order shall so note. The record shall be made at a scheduled hearing on the matter or, if the hearing is canceled or not held, at an agency meeting or at the time the final order by default is issued, unless the agency designates the agency file as the record at the time the contested case notice is issued in accordance with OAR 137-003-0001(1). The record includes all materials submitted by the party. (4) The record may consist of transcribed, recorded or reported oral testimony or written evidence or both oral testimony and written evidence. (5) The agency shall notify a defaulting party of the entry of a final order by default by delivering or mailing a copy of the order. If the contested case notice contained an order that was to become effective unless a party requested a hearing, and designated the agency file as the record for purposes of default, that order becomes a final order by default if no hearing is requested, and no further order need be served upon any party.