R137-1-21. The Level 4 Adjudicatory Procedures

  (1) Authority of the CSRO Hearing Officer/Presiding Officer. The CSRO hearing officer/presiding officer is authorized to:

  (a) serve as the presiding officer at Level 4 hearings as set forth at Subsection 63G-4-103(1)(h)(i) of the UAPA;

  (b) maintain order, ensure the development of a clear and complete record, rule upon offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, and assign the burden of proof according to Subsection 67-19a-406(2);

  (c) set reasonable limits on repetitive and cumulative testimony and sequester any witness whose later testimony might be colored by the testimony of another witness or any person whose presence might have a chilling effect on another testifying witness;

  (d) rule on any motions, discovery requests, exhibit lists, witness lists and proposed findings;

  (e) require the filing of memoranda of law and the presentation of oral argument with respect to any question of law;

  (f) compel testimony and order the production of evidence and the appearance of witnesses;

  (g) admit evidence that has reasonable and probative value; and

  (h) reopen the evidentiary record.

  (2) Conduct of Hearings. A hearing shall be confined to those issues related to the subject matter presented in the original grievance statement.

  (a) An evidentiary proceeding may not be allowed to develop into a general inquiry into the policies and operations of an agency.

  (b) An evidentiary proceeding is intended solely to receive evidence that either refutes or substantiates specific claims or charges. A proceeding may not be used as an occasion for irresponsible accusations, general attacks upon the character or conduct of the employing agency, agency management, or other employees. A hearing may not be used as a forum for making derogatory assertions having no bearing on the claims or specific matters under review.

  (3) Level 4 Hearing. An evidentiary Level 4 hearing shall be recorded according to Section 67-19a-406 and held de novo, with both parties being granted full administrative process as follows:

  (a) The CSRO hearing officer shall first make factual findings based solely on the evidence presented at the hearing without deference to any prior factual findings of the agency. The CSRO hearing officer shall then determine whether:

  (i) the factual findings made from the evidentiary Level 4 hearing support, by substantial evidence, the allegations made by the agency or the appointing authority, and

  (ii) the agency has correctly applied relevant policies, rules, and statutes.

  (b) When the CSRO hearing officer determines in accordance with the procedures set forth above that the evidentiary Level 4 factual findings support the allegations of the agency or the appointing authority, then the CSRO hearing officer must determine whether the agency's decision, including any disciplinary sanctions imposed, is excessive, disproportionate or otherwise constitutes an abuse of discretion. In making this latter determination, the CSRO hearing officer shall give deference to the decision of the agency or the appointing authority. If the CSRO hearing officer determines that the agency's penalty is excessive, disproportionate or constitutes an abuse of discretion, the CSRO hearing officer shall determine the appropriate remedy.

  (4) Discretion. Upon commencement, the CSRO hearing officer shall announce that the hearing is convened and is being held on the record. The CSRO hearing officer shall note appearances for the record and note the party having the burden of moving forward first.

  (5) Closing the Record. After all testimony, documentary evidence, and arguments have been presented, the CSRO hearing officer shall close the record and terminate the proceeding, unless one or both parties agree to submit a posthearing brief or memoranda of law within a specified time.

  (6) Posthearing Briefs. When posthearing briefs or memoranda of law are scheduled to be submitted, the record shall remain open until the briefs or memoranda are exchanged and received by the CSRO hearing officer and incorporated into the record, or until the time to receive these submissions has expired. After receipt of posthearing documents, or upon the expiration of the time to receive posthearing documents, the case is then taken under advisement, and the period commences for the issuance of the written decision.

  (7) Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law. After closing the record, the CSRO hearing officer shall write a decision containing findings of fact and conclusions of law according to Section 67-19a-406 and Section 63G-4-208 of the UAPA, which is incorporated by reference. When the CSRO hearing officer's decision and order is filed with the administrator it then becomes the decision and order of the Level 4 hearing.

  (8) Distribution of Decisions. The administrator shall distribute copies of the Level 4 decision and order to the persons, parties and representatives of record.

  (9) Past Work Record. In those proceedings where a disciplinary penalty is at issue, the past employment record of the employee is relevant for purposes of either mitigating or sustaining the penalty when substantial evidence supports an agency's allegations.

  (10) Compliance and Enforcement. State agencies, department heads, division directors and officials are expected to comply with decisions and orders issued by the CSRO hearing officer. Enforcement measures available to the CSRO include:

  (a) petitioning the governor, who may remove his appointed state officers with or without cause, and with respect to those who can only be removed for cause, refusal to obey a lawful order may constitute sufficient cause for removal;

  (b) a mandamus order to compel the official to obey the order;

  (c) the charge of a Class A misdemeanor according to Section 67-19-29; and

  (d) seeking enforcement of a legal decision, order or ruling through civil enforcement in the district court according to Subsection 63G-4-501(1) of the UAPA which is incorporated by reference.

  (11) Rehearings. Rehearings are not permitted.

  (12) Reconsideration.

  (a) Section 63G-4-302 of the UAPA is incorporated by reference within this rule, and requests for reconsideration of an Level 4 decision will be conducted in accordance with that section, except for the time period which is stated below.

  (b) The written reconsideration request must contain specific reasons why a reconsideration is warranted with respect to the factual findings and legal conclusions of the Level 4 decision. The same CSRO hearing officer shall decide the propriety of a reconsideration. A request for reconsideration is filed with the administrator. To be timely the written request for reconsideration shall be filed within twenty days after the Level 4 decision is issued as provided at Section 63G-4-302.

  (13) Appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals. To appeal to the Utah Court of Appeals, a party must file with the court within 30 calendar days from the date of issuance of the Level 4 decision and final agency action according to Sections 63G-4-401 and 63G-4-403 of the UAPA, which are incorporated by reference. The dates of mailing, postmarking and receipt are not applicable to filing with the court.

  (14) Transcript Fee. The party petitioning the Utah Court of Appeals for a review must bear all costs of transcript production for the Level 4 decision. The CSRO may not share any cost for a transcript or transcription of the Level 4 hearing.