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Title 7

Displaying title 7, up to date as of 8/13/2026. Title 7 was last amended 8/03/2026.
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Posthearing Procedures

§ 15.135 Posthearing briefs.

The hearing officer shall fix a reasonable time for filing posthearing briefs, which may contain proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, and, if permitted, reply briefs. Briefs should include a summary of the evidence relied upon together with references to exhibit numbers and pages of the transcript, with citations of the authorities relied upon. Briefs shall be filed in the Office of the Hearing Clerk with a copy to all parties.

§ 15.136 Decisions and notices.

When the time for submission of posthearing briefs has expired the hearing officer shall either make an initial decision or final decision, if so authorized, or certify the entire record including his recommended findings and proposed decision to the Secretary for a final decision and a copy of such initial, or final decision or certification shall be mailed to the applicant or recipient and other parties by the hearing clerk.

§ 15.137 Exceptions to initial or proposed decision.

Within 30 days of the mailing of such notice of initial or recommended findings and proposed decision, the applicant or recipient and other parties may file with the hearing clerk for consideration by the Secretary exceptions to the initial or recommended findings and proposed decision, with reasons therefor. Each party will be given reasonable opportunity to file briefs or other written statements of contentions in which the party may request that the decision be modified, reversed, affirmed or adopted.

§ 15.138 Review of initial decision.

In the absence of exceptions to an initial decision, the Secretary may on his own motion within 45 days after an initial decision serve upon the parties a notice that he will review the decision and will give the parties reasonable opportunity to file briefs or other written statements of contentions. At the expiration of said time for filing briefs, the Secretary will review the initial decision and issue a final decision thereon. In the absence of either exceptions to an initial decision or a notice or review, the initial decision shall constitute the final decision of the Secretary.

§ 15.139 Oral argument.

If any party desires to argue orally before the Secretary on the review of recommended findings and proposed decision, or an initial decision, he shall so state at the time he files his exceptions or brief. The Secretary may grant such request in his discretion. If granted, he will serve notice of oral argument on all parties and will set forth the order of presentation and the amount of time allotted, and the time and place of argument.

§ 15.140 Service of decisions.

All final decisions shall be promptly served on all parties and the complainant.

§ 15.141 Contents of decision.

Each decision of a hearing officer shall set forth his ruling on each finding, conclusion, or exception presented, and shall identify the requirement or requirements imposed by or pursuant to the regulations in this part with which it is found that the applicant or recipient has failed to comply.

§ 15.142 Content of orders.

The final decision may provide for suspension or termination of, or refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, in whole or in part, under the program involved, and may contain such terms, conditions, and other provisions as are consistent with and will effectuate the purposes of the Act and the regulations in this part, including provisions designed to assure that no Federal financial assistance will thereafter be extended under such program to the applicant or recipient determined by such decision to be in default in its performance of an assurance given by it pursuant to the regulations in this part, or to have otherwise failed to comply with the regulations in this part, unless and until it corrects its noncompliance and satisfies the Agency that it will fully comply with the regulations in this part.

§ 15.143 Decision where financial assistance affected.

The Secretary shall make any final decision which provides for the suspension or termination of, or the refusal to grant or continue Federal financial assistance, or the imposition of any other sanction available under the regulations in this part or the Act.