1.276—Appeal and review of initial decision.
(a)
(1)
Within 30 days after the date on which public release of the full text of an initial decision is made, or such other time as the Commission may specify, any of the parties may appeal to the Commission by filing exceptions to the initial decision, and such decision shall not become effective and shall then be reviewed by the Commission, whether or not such exceptions may thereafter be withdrawn. It is the Commission's policy that extensions of time for filing exceptions shall not be routinely granted.
(2)
Exceptions shall be consolidated with the argument in a supporting brief and shall not be submitted separately. As used in this subpart, the term exceptions means the document consolidating the exceptions and supporting brief. The brief shall contain (i) a table of contents, (ii) a table of citations, (iii) a concise statement of the case, (iv) a statement of the questions of law presented, and (v) the argument, presenting clearly the points of fact and law relied upon in support of the position taken on each question, with specific reference to the record and all legal or other materials relied on.
(b)
The Commission may on its own initiative provide, by order adopted not later than 20 days after the time for filing exceptions expires, that an initial decision shall not become final, and that it shall be further reviewed or considered by the Commission.
(c)
In any case in which an initial decision is subject to review in accordance with paragraph (a) or (b) of this section, the Commission may, on its own initiative or upon appropriate requests by a party, take any one or more of the following actions:
(3)
Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, reopen the record and/or remand the proceedings to the presiding officer to take further testimony or evidence;
(4)
Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, remand the proceedings to the presiding officer to make further findings or conclusions; and
(5)
Prior to or after oral argument or the filing of exceptions or briefs, issue, or cause to be issued by the presiding officer, a supplemental initial decision.
(d)
No initial decision shall become effective before 50 days after public release of the full text thereof is made unless otherwise ordered by the Commission. The timely filing of exceptions, the further review or consideration of an initial decision on the Commission's initiative, or the taking of action by the Commission under paragraph (c) of this section shall stay the effectiveness of the initial decision until the Commission's review thereof has been completed. If the effective date of an initial decision falls within any further time allowed for the filing of exceptions, it shall be postponed automatically until 30 days after time for filing exceptions has expired.
(e)
If no exceptions are filed, and the Commission has not ordered the review of an initial decision on its initiative, or has not taken action under paragraph (c) of this section, the initial decision shall become effective, an appropriate notation to that effect shall be entered in the docket of the case, and a “Public Notice” thereof shall be given by the Commission. The provisions of § 1.108 shall not apply to such public notices.
(f)
When any party fails to file exceptions within the specified time to an initial decision which proposes to deny its application, such party shall be deemed to have no interest in further prosecution of its application, and its application may be dismissed with prejudice for failure to prosecute.
Code of Federal Regulations
[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 14873, Apr. 8, 1976]