710.25—Appointment of Hearing Officer; prehearing conference; commencement of hearings.
(a)
Upon receipt of a request for a hearing, the Manager shall in a timely manner transmit that request to the Office of Hearings and Appeals, and identify the DOE Counsel. The Manager shall at the same time transmit a copy of the notification letter and the individual's response to the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
(b)
Upon receipt of the hearing request from the Manager, the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals, shall appoint, as soon as practicable, a Hearing Officer.
(c)
Immediately upon appointment of the Hearing Officer, the Office of Hearings and Appeals shall notify the individual and DOE Counsel of the Hearing Officer's identity and the address to which all further correspondence should be sent.
(d)
The Hearing Officer shall have all powers necessary to regulate the conduct of proceedings under this subpart, including, but not limited to, establishing a list of persons to receive service of papers, issuing subpoenas for witnesses to attend the hearing or for the production of specific documents or other physical evidence, administering oaths and affirmations, ruling upon motions, receiving evidence, regulating the course of the hearing, disposing of procedural requests or similar matters, and taking other actions consistent with the regulations in this subpart. Requests for subpoenas shall be liberally granted except where the Hearing Officer finds that the grant of subpoenas would clearly result in evidence or testimony that is repetitious, incompetent, irrelevant, or immaterial to the issues in the case. The Hearing Officer may take sworn testimony, sequester witnesses, and control the dissemination or reproduction of any record or testimony taken pursuant to this part, including correspondence, or other relevant records or tangible evidence including, but not limited to, information retained in computerized or other automated systems in possession of the subpoenaed person.
(e)
The Hearing Officer will determine the day, time, and place for the hearing. Hearings will normally be held at or near the appropriate DOE facility, unless the Hearing Officer determines that another location would be more appropriate. Normally the location for the hearing will be selected for the convenience of all participants. In the event the individual fails to appear at the time and place specified, the record in the case shall be closed and returned to the Manager, who will then make a final determination regarding the eligibility of the individual for DOE access authorization.
(f)
At least 7 calendar days prior to the date scheduled for the hearing, the Hearing Officer will convene a prehearing conference for the purpose of discussing stipulations and exhibits, identifying witnesses, and disposing of other appropriate matters. The conference will usually be conducted by telephone.
(g)
Hearings shall commence within 90 calendar days from the date the individual's request for hearing is received by the Office of Hearings and Appeals. Any extension of the hearing date past 90 calendar days from the date the request for hearing is received by the Office of Hearings and Appeals shall be approved by the Director, Office of Hearings and Appeals.