OAR 137-003-0528: Late Hearing Requests

(1)(a) The agency must accept a properly addressed hearing request that was not timely filed if it was postmarked within the time specified for timely filing, unless any of the following applies: (A) A statute prohibits the agency from accepting it; (B) The agency has adopted an administrative rule exempting itself from this requirement based on operational conflicts; or (C) The agency receives the request 60 calendar days or more after the entry of the final order by default or other deadline established by applicable statute or agency rule. (b) The agency may accept any other late hearing request only if: (A) There was good cause for the failure to timely request the hearing, unless other applicable statutes or agency rules provide a different standard; and (B) The agency receives the request before the entry of a final order by default or before 60 calendar days after the entry of the final order by default, unless other applicable statutes or agency rules provide a different timeframe. (c) If a final order by default has already been entered, the party requesting the hearing shall deliver or mail within a reasonable time a copy of the hearing request to all persons and agencies required by statute, rule or order to receive notice of the proceeding. (d) In determining whether to accept a late hearing request, the agency may require the request to be supported by an affidavit or other writing that explains why the request for hearing is late and may conduct such further inquiry as it deems appropriate. (e) Before granting a party's late hearing request, the agency will provide all other parties, if any, an opportunity to respond to the late hearing request. (f) The requirement imposed in subsection (1) of this rule and the good cause standard adopted in subsection (2) shall apply to hearing requests on notices issued after January 31, 2012. (2) If a party files a request for a hearing that the agency finds is untimely and the party disputes the agency finding of the date that the request was received or postmarked or that the agency mailed or delivered the notice, then the agency will refer the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings to provide a right to a hearing on that factual dispute. The administrative law judge will issue a proposed order recommending that the agency find that the hearing request is either timely filed or late. (3) If the agency or another party disputes the facts contained in the explanation of why the request for hearing is late, the agency will provide a right to a hearing on the reasons why the hearing request is late. The administrative law judge will issue a proposed order recommending that the agency grant or deny the late hearing request. (4) In addition to the right to a hearing provided in (2) and (3) of this rule, the agency by rule or in writing may provide in any case or class of cases a right to a hearing on whether the late filing of a hearing request should be accepted. If a hearing is held, it must be conducted pursuant to these rules by an administrative law judge from the Office of Administrative Hearings. (5) If the late hearing request is allowed by the agency, the agency will enter an order granting the request and refer the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings to hold a hearing on the underlying matter. If the late hearing request is denied by the agency, the agency shall enter an order setting forth reasons for the denial. (6) Except as otherwise provided by law, if a final order by default has been entered, that order remains in effect during consideration of a late hearing request unless the final order is stayed under OAR 137-003-0690. (7) When a party requests a hearing more than 60 calendar days (or other time period set by statute) after the agency or administrative law judge has entered a final order by default, the agency shall not grant the request unless a statute or agency rule permits the agency to consider the request.