Oregon State Archives

Oregon Bulletin

February 1, 2012

Department of Justice
Chapter 137

Rule Caption: Implements 2011 legislative child support changes.

Adm. Order No.: DOJ 12-2011

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-30-2011

Certified to be Effective: 1-3-12

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2011

Rules Amended: 137-050-0750

Subject: OAR 137-050-0750 is amended to reflect changes made by the 2011 Legislature to child support program processes.

Rules Coordinator: Lori Woltring—(503) 986-6152

137-050-0750

Medical Support

(1) The scale (see OAR 137-050-0725 and its appendix) includes ordinary unreimbursed medical costs of $250 per child per year. These costs are included in the support obligation and prorated between the parents in the support calculation performed under OAR 137-050-0710.

(2) In addition to the definitions in ORS 25.321 and 25.323, “reasonable in cost” means that:

(a) The cost to a parent of cash medical support or private health insurance is not more than four percent of the parent’s adjusted income as determined in OAR 137-050-0720. A greater amount may be ordered if compelling factors support a finding that a higher cost is reasonable;

(b) The cost to the obligated parent of cash medical support or private health insurance does not exceed the amount of the parent’s income determined in OAR 137-050-0745(2) to be available for medical support; and

(c) Except as provided in section (3), the parent’s income is greater than the Oregon minimum wage for full-time employment.

(3) If the parent’s income is equal to or less than Oregon minimum wage for full-time employment, health care coverage at no cost is reasonable in cost.

(4) In applying the reasonable in cost standard to private health care coverage, only the cost of covering the child for whom support is sought will be considered. If family coverage is provided for the joint child and other family members, prorate the out-of-pocket cost of any premium for the child for whom support is sought only.

(5) If only one parent has private health care coverage that is appropriate and available under ORS 25.323, that parent must be ordered to provide it.

(6) If both parents have access to appropriate, available private health care coverage, both parents may be ordered to provide coverage. If both parents provide coverage, neither parent will be ordered to reimburse the other for the cost of the premium, except as provided in section (11).

(7) If the obligee is ordered to provide private health care coverage and the obligor is not, the obligor must be ordered to pay cash medical support that is reasonable in cost to defray the cost of the premium and other medical expenses, or the order must include a finding explaining why cash medical support is not ordered.

(8) If neither parent has access to appropriate, available private health care coverage:

(a) One or both parents must be ordered to provide private health care coverage at any time whenever it becomes available;

(b) The party with custody of the child may be ordered to provide public health care coverage for the child; and

(c) Either or both parents must be ordered to pay cash medical support that is reasonable in cost, or the order must include a finding explaining why cash medical support is not ordered.

(9) For purposes of this rule, “to provide” health care coverage means to apply to enroll the child and pay any costs associated with the enrollment, even if the cost to the parent is zero.

(10) If the child is not in the custody of either parent and cash medical support is or will be ordered as provided in section (8) of this rule, the agency or person with legal or physical custody of the child is considered the parent for the purposes of receipt or assignment of cash medical support.

(11) A medical support clause may be contingent in that it may order a party to provide private health care coverage and may order an amount of cash medical to be paid any time private health care coverage is unavailable to that party. If cash medical support is ordered due to private health care coverage being unavailable to a party, the order may also provide that any time private health care coverage is available to that party it will be provided instead of cash medical support.

(12) For purposes of ORS 25.323, private health care coverage may be “available” to a parent from any source, including but not limited to an employer or a spouse or domestic partner.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.270 - 25.290, 25.323 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.270 - 25.290 & 25.321 - 25.343

Hist.: DOJ 16-2009, f. 12-1-09, cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 12-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

Rule Caption: Implements 2011 legislative child support changes; partner access and confidentiality of support records; LEP services.

Adm. Order No.: DOJ 13-2011

Filed with Sec. of State: 12-30-2011

Certified to be Effective: 1-3-12

Notice Publication Date: 11-1-2011

Rules Adopted: 137-055-2100

Rules Amended: 137-055-1100, 137-055-1140, 137-055-1160, 137-055-1800, 137-055-2160, 137-055-3220, 137-055-3430, 137-055-3640, 137-055-4130, 137-055-4440, 137-055-4520, 137-055-5400, 137-055-5420, 137-055-6021, 137-055-6200, 137-055-6220, 137-055-6240, 137-055-6260

Rules Repealed: 137-055-1145, 137-055-6100

Subject: OAR 137-055-1100 is amended to clarify processing of continuation of services cases.

      OAR 137-055-1140 is amended to remove a reference to the partner access rule (OAR 137-055-1145), which is repealed because it is no longer needed.

      OAR 137-055-1160 is amended to clarify what information is protected in a child support order.

      OAR 137-055-1800 is amended to clarify how services are provided to limited English proficiency customers.

      OAR 137-055-2100 through 137-055-6260 are enacted or amended to reflect changes made by the 2011 Legislature to child support program processes.

Rules Coordinator: Lori Woltring—(503) 986-6152

137-055-1100

Continuation of Services

(1) When a family’s assistance grant is closed, services under ORS 25.080 will automatically be continued. The Division of Child Support (DCS) will notify the support obligee and any child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110, in writing, of the services to be provided and the consequences of receiving those services, including a listing of available services, fees, the state’s policy on cost recovery and its distribution policies. DCS will notify the obligee, and the child attending school that subject to the obligor’s right to request services:

(a) An obligee or applicant for services may at any time request that support enforcement services no longer be provided. If the obligee or applicant so requests and case closure procedures pursuant to OAR 137-055-1120 have been completed, all support enforcement services on behalf of the obligee or applicant will be discontinued. However, except as provided in OAR 137-055-1090, if an order has already been established, DCS will continue efforts to collect arrears assigned to the state. DCS will apply any collections received against the assigned arrears until this amount has been collected.

(b) An obligee may also request under OAR 137-055-1090 that support enforcement services no longer be provided for either the obligee or the state.

(c) A child attending school who is an applicant for services may, under subsection (1)(a), request that support enforcement services no longer be provided on his or her behalf. A child attending school who is not an applicant for services may discontinue all support enforcement services on his or her behalf by redirecting his or her to the obligee under OAR 137-055-5110(5)(b).

(2) In cases where current child support is not assigned to the state but medical support is assigned to the state, the obligee may elect to not pursue establishment and enforcement of a child support obligation other than medical child support. In those cases, if the obligee so elects, the administrator will provide only those services necessary to establish and enforce an order for medical child support, including establishment of paternity where necessary.

(3) If a case has been closed pursuant to this rule, an obligee or applicant may at any time request the child support case be reopened by completing a new application for services. If an application for services is received, arrears may be reestablished pursuant to OAR 137-055-3240 or 137-055-5120, except for permanently assigned arrears which have been satisfied or which accrued to the state prior to the reapplication for services.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.080 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: AFS 34-1986(Temp), f. & ef. 4-14-86; AFS 65-1986, f. & ef. 9-19-86; AFS 28-1988, f. & cert. ef. 4-5-88; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0054; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0055; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1100; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1100; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-1140

Confidentiality of Records in the Child Support Program

(1)(a) As used in this rule, “employee” means a person employed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) or a district attorney office that provides Child Support Program (CSP) services;

(b) “Party” has the meaning given in OAR 137-055-1020, or a party’s attorney.

(2) For purposes of this rule, and subject to the limitations set forth in section (3) of this rule, the contents of a case record include, but are not limited to:

(a) The names of the obligor, beneficiary and obligee or other payee;

(b) The addresses of the obligor, beneficiary and obligee or other payee;

(c) The contact address and address of service of the obligee, beneficiary or obligor;

(d) The name and address of the obligor’s employer;

(e) The social security numbers of the obligor, the obligee and beneficiaries;

(f) The record of all legal and collection actions taken on the case;

(g) The record of all accrual and billings, payments, distribution and disbursement of payments;

(h) The narrative record; and

(i) The contents of any paper file maintained for purposes of establishment and/or enforcement of a child support order or for accounting purposes.

(3) Any data listed in section (2) of this rule or any other data that resides on the Child Support Enforcement Automated System (CSEAS) that is extracted from computer interfaces with other agencies’ computer systems is not considered to be child support information until or unless the data is used for child support purposes. Until such data is used for child support purposes it is not subject to any exceptions to confidentiality and it may not be released to any other person or agency in any circumstance, except as provided in ORS 25.260(5) and as may be provided in other agency rule.

(4) Child support case related records, files, papers and communications are confidential and may not be disclosed or used for purposes other than those directly connected to the administration of the CSP except:

(a) Information may be shared as provided in ORS 25.260(5), OAR 137-055-1320 and 137-055-1360 and as may be provided in other agency rule;

(b) Information may be shared for purposes of any investigation, prosecution or criminal or civil proceeding conducted in connection with the administration of:

(A) Title IV-D of the Social Security Act, child support programs in Oregon and other states;

(B) Title IV-A of the Social Security Act, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families; or

(C) Title XIX of the Social Security Act, Medicaid programs;

(c) Information may be shared as required by state or federal statute or rule;

(d)(A) Elected federal and state legislators and the Governor are considered to be within the chain of oversight of the CSP. Information about a child support case may be shared with these elected officials and their staff in response to issues brought by constituents who are parties to the case;

(B) County commissioners exercise a constituent representative function in county government for county administered programs. District attorney offices that operate child support programs may respond to constituent issues brought by county commissioners of the same county if the constituent is a party in a case administered by that office. District attorneys are DOJ sub-recipients. CSP Administration may also respond to constituent issues brought by county commissioners on district attorney administered child support cases where the constituent is a party;

(C) Information disclosed under paragraphs (A) and (B) of this subsection is subject to the restrictions in subsections (6)(a) and (b) of this rule;

(e) When a party requires the use of an interpreter in communicating with the administrator, information given to such an interpreter is not a violation of any provision of this rule; and

(f) A person who is the executor of the estate or personal representative of a deceased party is entitled to receive any information that the deceased party would have been entitled to receive.

(5)(a) The CSP may release information to a private industry council as provided in 42 USC 654a(f)(5).

(b) The information released under subsection (a) of this section may be provided to a private industry council only for the purpose of identifying and contacting noncustodial parents regarding participation of the noncustodial parents in welfare-to-work grants under 42 USC 603(a)(5).

(c) For the purposes of this section, “private industry council” means, with respect to a service delivery area, the private industry council or local workforce investment board established for the service delivery area pursuant to Title I of the Workforce Investment Act (29 USC 2801, et seq.). “Private industry council” includes workforce centers and one-stop career centers.

(6)(a) Information from a case record may be disclosed to a party in that case outside a legal proceeding, except for the following personal information about the other party:

(A) The residence or mailing address of the other party if that other party is not the state;

(B) The social security number of the other party;

(C) The name, address and telephone number of the other party’s employers;

(D) The telephone number of the other party;

(E) Financial institution account information of the other party;

(F) The driver’s license number of the other party; and

(G) Any other information which may identify the location of the minor child or other party, such as day care provider’s name and address.

(b) Except for personal information described in subsection (a) of this section, information from a case record may be provided to a party via the CSP web page if appropriate personal identifiers, such as social security number, case number or date of birth are required to be provided in order to access such information.

(7) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsections (6)(a) and (b) of this rule, a party’s personal information may be released to a state agency under the provisions of 45 CFR 303.21.

(8) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (6)(a), an employee may disclose personal information described in paragraphs (6)(a)(A) through (6)(a)(G) to a party, if disclosure of the information is otherwise required by rule or statute.

(9) Any information from the case record, including any information derived from another agency, that was used for any calculations or determinations relevant to the legal action may be disclosed to a party. Where there is a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information pursuant to OAR 137-055-1160, all nondisclosable information must be redacted before documents are released.

(10) Requestors may be required to pay for the actual costs of staff time and materials to produce copies of case records before documents are released.

(11)(a) Information from case records may be disclosed to persons not a party to the child support case who are making contact with the CSP on behalf of a party, if the following conditions are met:

(A) The person who is not a party to the case provides the social security number of the party for whom they are making the inquiry or the child support case number;

(B) The person who is not a party to the case making the contact on behalf of the party is the current spouse or domestic partner of the party and residing with the party or a parent or legal guardian of the party; and

(C) The CSP determines that the person is making case inquiries on behalf of the party and disclosure of such information would normally be made to the party in reply to such an inquiry.

(b) Disclosure of information is limited to the specific inquiries made on behalf of the party and is subject to the restrictions in subsections (6)(a) and (b) of this rule.

(12) Except as provided in subsections (11)(a) and (b) of this rule, information from a case record may not be disclosed to a person who is not a party to the case unless:

(a) The party has granted written consent to release the information to the person; or

(b) The person has power of attorney for the party, the duration and scope of which authorizes release of information from a case record at the time that the person requests such information. The power of attorney remains in effect until a written request to withdraw the power of attorney is submitted by the party or by the person, unless otherwise noted on the power of attorney.

(13) A child support case account balance is derived from the child support judgment, which is public information, and from the record of payments, which is not. Therefore, the case balance is not public information, is confidential and may not be released to persons not a party except as otherwise provided in this rule.

(14) Information obtained from the Internal Revenue Service and/or the Oregon Department of Revenue is subject to confidentiality rules imposed by those agencies even if those rules are more restrictive than the standards set in this rule, and may not be released for purposes other than those specified by those agencies.

(15) Criminal record information obtained from the Law Enforcement Data System or any other law enforcement source may be used for child support purposes only and may not be disclosed to parties or any other person or agency outside of the CSP. Information about the prosecution of child support related crimes initiated by the administrator may be released to parties in the child support case.

(16) Employees with access to computer records or records of any other nature available to them as employees may not access such records that pertain to their own child support case or the child support case of any relative or other person with whom the employee has a personal friendship or business association. No employee may perform casework on their own child support case or the case of any relative or other person with whom the employee has a personal friendship or business association.

(17) When an employee receives information that gives reasonable cause to believe that a child has suffered abuse as defined in ORS 419B.005(1)(a) the employee must make a report to the Department of Human Services as the agency that provides child welfare services and, if appropriate, to a law enforcement agency if abuse is discovered while providing program services.

(18) Employees who are subject to the Disciplinary Rules of the Oregon Code of Professional Responsibility must comply with those rules regarding mandatory reporting of child abuse. To the extent that those rules mandate a stricter standard than required by this rule, the Disciplinary Rules also apply.

(19) If an employee discloses or uses the contents of any child support records, files, papers or communications in violation of this rule, the employee is subject to progressive discipline, up to and including dismissal from employment.

(20) To ensure knowledge of the requirements of this rule, employees with access to computer records, or records of any other nature available to them as employees, are required annually to:

(a) Review this rule and the CSP Director’s automated tutorial on confidentiality;

(b) Complete with 100 percent success the CSP Director’s automated examination on confidentiality; and

(c) Sign a certificate acknowledging confidentiality requirements. The certificate must be in the form prescribed by the CSP Director.

(21)(a) For DOJ employees, each signed certificate must be forwarded to DOJ Human Resources, with a copy kept in the employee’s local office drop file;

(b) For district attorney employees, each signed certificate must be kept in accordance with county personnel practices.

(22) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, an employee may release a party’s name and address to a local law enforcement agency when necessary to prevent a criminal act that is likely to result in death or substantial bodily harm.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.260, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.260, 127.005, 411.320

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 19-1998, f. 10-5-98, cert. ef. 10-7-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0291; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 11-2011(Temp), f. 12-1-11, cert. ef. 12-5-11 thru 5-29-12; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-1160

Confidentiality — Finding of Risk and Order for Nondisclosure of Information

(1) For the purposes of this rule in addition to the definitions found in OAR 137-055-1020, the following definitions apply:

(a) “Claim of risk for nondisclosure of information” means a claim by a party to a paternity or support case made to the administrator, an administrative law judge or the court that there is reason to not contain or disclose the information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a) or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) because the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would unreasonably be put at risk by disclosure of such information;

(b) “Finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information” means a finding and order by the administrator, an administrative law judge or the court, which may be made ex parte, that there is reason to not contain or disclose the information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a) or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) because the health, safety or liberty of a party or child would unreasonably be put at risk by disclosure of such information.

(2) A claim of risk for nondisclosure of information may be made to the administrator by a party at any time that a child support case is open. Forms for making a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information will be available from all child support offices and be made available to other community resources. At the initiation of any legal process that would result in a judgment or administrative order establishing paternity or including a provision concerning support, the administrator will provide parties an opportunity to make a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information.

(3)(a) When a party makes a written and signed claim of risk for nondisclosure of information pursuant to section (2) of this rule, the administrator will make a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information unless the party does not provide a contact address pursuant to section (5) of this rule;

(b) When a party is accepted into the Address Confidentiality Program (ACP), the administrator will make a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information. The party’s contact address will be the ACP substitute address designated by the Attorney General pursuant to OAR 137-079-0150.

(4) An administrative law judge will make a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information when a party makes a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information in a hearing unless the party does not provide a contact address pursuant to section (5) of this rule.

(5) A party who makes a claim of risk for nondisclosure of information under subsection (3)(a) or section (4) must provide a contact address that is releasable to the other party(ies) in legal proceedings. The claim of risk for nondisclosure of information form provided to the party by the administrator must have a place in which to list a contact address. If a requesting party does not provide a contact address, a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information will not be made.

(6) When an order for nondisclosure of information has been made, the administrator must ensure that all pleadings, returns of service, orders or any other documents that would be sent to the parties or would be available as public information in a court file does not contain or must have deleted any of the identifying information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a) or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a). Any document sent to the court that contains any of the information specified in ORS 25.020(8)(a) or OAR 137-055-1140(6)(a) must be in a sealed envelope with a cover sheet informing the court of the confidential nature of the contents or in the manner provided by UTCR 2.130.

(7) A finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information entered pursuant to this rule will be documented on the child support case file and will remain in force until such time as the ACP participant or party who requested a claim of risk retracts the claim or requests dismissal in writing.

(8) A party who requested a claim of risk may retract the claim on a form provided by the administrator. When a signed retraction form is received by the administrator, the administrator will enter, or will ask the court to enter, a finding and order terminating the order for nondisclosure of information.

(9) Any information previously protected under an order for nondisclosure of information will be subject to disclosure when the order for nondisclosure of information is terminated. The retraction form provided by the administrator will advise the requestor that previously protected information may be released to the other party(ies).

(10) In cases where the administrator is not involved in the preparation of the support order or judgment establishing paternity, or when child support services under ORS 25.080 are not being provided, any claim of risk for nondisclosure of information pursuant to ORS 25.020 must be made to the court.

(11) Notwithstanding section (5) of this rule, where the court has made a finding of risk and order for nondisclosure of information and the case is receiving or subsequently receives child support services pursuant to ORS 25.080, the administrator will implement the court’s finding pursuant to this rule. In such a case, the administrator will use, in order of preference, the party’s contact address as contained in the court file, or the party’s contact address previously provided to the Child Support Program. If no contact address is available through either of these sources, the administrator will send a written request to the party, asking that the party provide a contact address. The written request from the administrator must advise the party that if no contact address is provided within 30 days, the administrator will use, in order of preference, the party’s mailing or residence address as the contact address, and the new contact address may be released to the other party(ies).

[ED. NOTE: Forms referenced are available from the agency.]

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020, 192.820–192.858

Hist.: AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 19-1998, f. 10-5-98, cert. ef. 10-7-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0291; SSP 4-2003, f. 2-25-03, cert. ef. 3-1-03; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-1160; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 12-2004, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-04; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 5-2007, f. & cert. ef. 7-2-07; DOJ 8-2009, f. 7-1-09, cert. ef. 8-1-09; DOJ 12-2010(Temp), f. 7-1-10, cert. ef. 9-1-10 thru 2-25-11; DOJ 16-2010, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-10; DOJ 8-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 11-2-11 thru 4-28-12; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-1800

Limited English Proficiency

For the purposes of providing child support services required by ORS 25.080 to Limited English Proficiency (LEP) persons, the following provisions apply:

(1)(a) “Eligible population” means persons eligible to receive child support services pursuant to ORS 25.080.

(b) “Vital information” means information that:

(A) Affects a person’s substantive rights;

(B) Notifies a person about rights or services;

(C) Tells a person what process to use to respond; or

(D) Tells a person what the findings are or what to pay.

(2) At least once each biennium, the CSP will identify languages for which vital information will be translated without the need for a request from a party. To determine the languages, the CSP will use the following criteria:

(a) The estimated size of the eligible population speaking the specific language;

(b) The number of language line calls made over the last two years for the specific language; and

(c) The cost of the translation.

(3) If the number in subsection (2)(a) is 1,000 or 5% of the eligible population in Oregon, whichever is less, vital information for that language will be translated without the need for a request from a party.

(4) If the number of language line calls in subsection (2)(b) is 500 or more, vital information for that language will be translated without the need for a request from a party.

(5) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, if the cost of the translation for a single document is $500 or more, the CSP may choose to not translate the document.

(6) When an LEP person needs a translation and the language needed does not meet the standards in sections (3) or (4), the CSP may choose to either translate the vital information for that language or refer the LEP person to other translation services, including language lines or other providers.

(7) When an LEP person needs to verbally communicate with the CSP, the program may use certified bilingual or multilingual staff to communicate or may use a language line.

Stat. Auth: ORS 180.345 & 28 CFR 42.405

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080

Hist.: DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-2100

Process Service

(1) The administrator may serve process in the manner provided in ORCP 7, ORS 25.085, and any other provision of law.

(2) “Mail service with delivery confirmation” includes but is not limited to registered mail, certified mail, and priority mail with delivery confirmation.

(3) When the administrator will use priority mail service as the process service method, the party who will receive the documents must verify the address to which the documents are to be mailed. Verification by the party must occur no more than 60 calendar days prior to mailing.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.085, 25.245, 25.670, 416.415, 416.429

Hist.: DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-2160

Requests for Hearing

(1) A request for hearing must be in writing and signed by the party, the party’s authorized representative, or the administrator.

(2) A request for hearing may be made on a form provided by the Child Support Program (CSP) and must contain the party’s residence, mailing or contact address, a telephone number where the party can be contacted and the reasons for objection to the contested case notice.

(3) A request for hearing must be received by the CSP office which issued the action within the time provided by law or notice in order to be considered timely.

(4) A new or amended request for hearing is not required from the requesting party to obtain a hearing if the administrator amends the order being appealed, unless the administrator notifies the requesting party that an additional request is required.

(5) When a party requests a hearing after the time specified by the administrator, the administrator will handle the request pursuant to OAR 137-003-0528, except that the administrator may accept the late request only if:

(a) The request is received before or within 60 days after entry of a final order by default;

(b) The circuit court has not approved the final order or there is no appeal of the final order pending with the circuit court, and

(c) The cause for failure to timely request the hearing was beyond the reasonable control of the party, unless other applicable statutes or Oregon Child Support Program administrative rules provide a different time frame or standard.

(6) Notwithstanding the provisions of section (5) of this rule, a request for hearing is not considered a late hearing request when:

(a) Parentage testing has been conducted pursuant to ORS 109.252 and 416.430 which includes the man as the biological father of the child, and a request for hearing has been received from a party within 30 days from the date of service of the Notice of Intent to Enter Order/Judgment establishing paternity and the notice of parentage testing results; or

(b) A party has denied paternity and failed to appear for parentage tests, an order establishing paternity has been entered, and a request for hearing has been received from a party within 30 days from the date the order establishing paternity was mailed to the parties.

(7) For the purpose of computing any period of time under this rule, except as otherwise provided, any response period begins to run on the following date:

(a) If service is by certified mail, on the date the party signs a receipt for the mailing;

(b) If service is by regular mail:

(A) Three days after the mailing date if mailed to an address in Oregon;

(B) Seven days after the mailing date if mailed to an address outside Oregon; or

(c) The date evidence shows the party received the mailing.

(8) Except as provided in subsection (9)(b) the dates in section (7) are computed based on calendar days, not business days.

(9)(a) In computing any period of time under this rule, do not count the date of mailing as the first day; and

(b) If the last day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or legal holiday, do not count that day as a calendar day.

(10) The provisions of sections (7) through (9) do not apply to service on a party by regular mail to complete substitute service. For substitute service, the service date is the date the document is mailed.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.415

Hist.: AFS 5-1995, f. & ef. 2-6-95; AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 21-2000, f. & cert. ef. 8-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0830; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2160; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-2160; DOJ 2-2006(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-3-06 thru 6-30-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 10-2008, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-08; DOJ 2-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10 thru 7-1-10; DOJ 11-2010, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-10; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-3220

Establishment of Past Support Orders

(1) For purposes of this rule the following definitions apply:

(a) “Past support” means the amount of child support that could have been ordered based on the Oregon Child Support Guidelines and accumulated as arrears against a parent for the benefit of a child for any period of time during which the child was not supported by the parent and for which period no support order was in effect.

(b) “Supported by the parent” in subsection (1)(a) means payments in cash or in kind in amounts or in-kind value equal to the amount that would have accrued under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines from the obligor to the obligee for purposes of support of the child.

(c) The Oregon Child Support Guidelines means the formula for calculating child support specified in ORS 25.275.

(2) The administrator may establish “past support” when establishing a child support order under ORS 416.400 through 416.470.

(3) When an obligor has made payments in cash or in kind an obligee for the support of the child during the period for which a judgment for past support is sought, and providing that those payments were in amounts equal to or exceeding the amount of support that would have been presumed correct under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines, no past support will be ordered.

(4) When such payments as described in section (3) were made in amounts less than the amount of support presumed correct under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines, the amount of the past support judgment will be the correct amount presumed under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines minus any amounts of support paid.

(5) The obligor must provide evidence of such payments as described in sections (3) and (4) by furnishing copies of:

(a) Canceled checks;

(b) Cash or money order receipts;

(c) Any other type of funds transfer records;

(d) Merchandise receipts;

(e) Verification of payments from the obligee;

(f) Any other record of payment deemed acceptable by the administrator.

(6) The administrator may decide whether to accept evidence of such cash or in-kind support payments for purposes of giving credit for them. If any party disagrees, the past support calculation may be appealed to an administrative law judge as provided in ORS 416.427.

(7) Past support may not be ordered for any period of time prior to the later of:

(a) October 1, 1995;

(b) The date of the initiation of IV-D services from any jurisdiction by application for services; or

(c) In case of a mandatory referral based on the receipt of TANF cash assistance, Medicaid, foster care or Oregon Youth Authority services, the date of the referral to the Child Support Program (CSP).

(8) If the support case was initiated from another jurisdiction, the date of application for services will be considered to be either:

(a) The date the initiating jurisdiction requests past support to begin but not before October 1, 1995; or

(b) If the initiating jurisdiction requests that past support be established for multiple periods of time, the beginning date of the most recent period but not before October 1, 1995; or

(c) If the initiating jurisdiction does not specify a beginning date for past support, the date of the initiating petition but not before October 1, 1995.

(9) The administrator will not establish past support prior to the date of the most recent initiation of CSP services if a case was closed after a previous referral. If an initiating jurisdiction requests that past support be established for two or more periods of time, past support will be established only for the most recent period.

(10) If there is or was a child support judgment in existence in any jurisdiction for the obligor to pay support to the obligee for the same child, or if a child support judgment is in the process of being litigated, no order for past support will be entered for a period of time before entry of the child support judgment already or previously existing except as provided in OAR 137-055-3200.

(11) If the parties are filing for annulment, dissolution or separation under ORS 107.105 and a judgment will be entered for months when the proceeding was pending, any order for past support may only include amounts owed for a time period prior to the filing of the judicial action.

(12) If the order to be entered does not include current support and the past support would be owed only to the State of Oregon or another jurisdiction, the administrator will not enter an order for past support that covers a period of less than four months.

(13) Past support will be calculated under the Oregon Child Support Guidelines and will use current income for the parties in calculating past support monthly amounts. Parties may rebut use of current income by presenting evidence of income in differing amounts for the months for which past support is being ordered.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 416.422

Hist.: AFS 28-1995, f. 11-2-95, cert. ef. 11-3-95; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-1010; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3220; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3220; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 3-2011(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 3-31-11 thru 9-26-11; DOJ 4-2011, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-11; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-3430

Substantial Change in Circumstance Review and Modification of Child Support Order Amounts

(1) For purposes of this rule:

(a) The definitions provided in ORS 25.321, OAR 137-050-0750 and OAR 137-055-3420 apply;

(b) A “temporary modification” is an order entered under ORS 416.425(13), which suspends and temporarily modifies a support order based on a party’s employment-related change of income; and

(c) “Employment-related change of income” includes but is not limited to reduced work hours, unpaid furloughs, loss of job and wage reductions. Employment-related change of income does not include a voluntary reduction of income or self-imposed curtailment of earning capacity, if it is shown that such action was not taken in good faith but was for the primary purpose of avoiding the support obligation. A party’s employment-related change of income is considered to take place “during a period of significant unemployment” even if the change occurred prior to the Attorney General’s determination under ORS 416.425(13)(b), as long as the effects of the employment-related change of income continue into the time period covered by the determination.

(2) Notwithstanding OAR 137-055-3420, proceedings may be initiated at any time to review and modify a support obligation based upon a substantial change in circumstance.

(3) The administrator will conduct a review based upon a request for a change of circumstance modification when:

(a) Oregon has jurisdiction to modify;

(b) The administrator:

(A) Receives a request for modification based upon a change of circumstance and at least 60 days have passed from the date the existing support order was entered, except for those cases where a review is requested pursuant to paragraphs (3)(c)(H) or (I);

(B) Determines that a temporary modification should be initiated based on receipt of a request from a party who has experienced an employment-related change of income; or

(C) Determines that a modification should be initiated based on the administrator’s own motion; and

(c) At least one of the following criteria are met:

(A) A change in the written parenting time agreement or order has taken place;

(B) The financial or household circumstances of one or more of the parties are different now than they were at the time the order was entered;

(C) Social Security benefits received on behalf of a child due to a parent’s disability or retirement were not previously considered in the order or they were considered in an action initiated before May 12, 2003;

(D) Veterans’ benefits received on behalf of a child due to a parent’s disability or retirement were not previously considered in the order or they were considered in an action initiated before May 12, 2003;

(E) Survivors’ and Dependents’ Education Assistance benefits received by the child or on behalf of the child were not previously considered in the order;

(F) Since the date of the last order, the obligor has been incarcerated, as defined in OAR 137-055-3300;

(G) The needs of the child(ren) have changed;

(H) There is a need to add or change medical support provisions for a child;

(I) A change in the physical custody of a minor child has taken place;

(J) An order is being modified to include a subsequent child of the parties or to remove a child of the parties; or

(K) A child between 18 and 20 years old does not qualify as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 and, pursuant to ORS 107.108(10), tiered order provisions must be added, removed or changed. Tiered order has the meaning given in OAR 137-055-1020.

(d) And the requesting party (if other than the administrator):

(A) Completes a written or verbal request for modification based upon a substantial change of circumstance;

(B) Pursuant to ORS 416.425, provides appropriate documentation for the criteria in subsection (c) of this section showing that a substantial change of circumstance has occurred; and

(C) Completes a Uniform Income Statement or Uniform Support Affidavit or, if a temporary modification, provides employment status and income information sufficient to permit the administrator to have a reasonable basis to make a determination.

(4) Sections (5) through (9) do not apply to temporary modifications.

(5) Upon receipt of a request for a review and modification, or upon the administrator’s own initiative, the administrator will notify the parties of the review in writing, allowing the parties 30 days to provide information which may affect the support calculation.

(6) A request for review will be granted unless:

(a) The conditions in section (3) have not been met; or

(b) The review was requested due to one of the criteria in paragraphs (3)(c)(A) through (3)(c)(G), and the order is in substantial compliance with the guidelines. The determination of substantial compliance will be made as outlined in OAR 137-055-3420(1)(d), except as provided in section (7).

(7) The provisions of subsection (6)(b) do not apply if the new calculation:

(a) Includes consent by the parties as provided in OAR 137-050-0765;

(b) Includes compelling factors in the reasonable-in-cost limitation, as provided in OAR 137-050-0750(2)(a);

(c) Includes application of rebuttals, as provided in OAR 137-050-0760; or

(d) Is for a modification to consider receipt of Social Security or Veterans’ benefits as provided in paragraphs (3)(c)(C) or (D).

(8) If the request for review is granted, the administrator will advise the parties of the presumed correct support amount. Notification may be by motion for modification and will include a request for hearing form. If there is an adult child on the case, the proposed modification will be a tiered order as defined in OAR 137-055-1020.

(9) If the order is found to be in substantial compliance, and at least 35 months have passed since the date the most recent support order took effect, the administrator will complete the request as provided in OAR 137-055-3420(9).

(10) Sections (11) and (12) apply only to temporary modifications.

(11) The administrator will, to the extent possible, gather information from the parties which could affect the support calculation by phone or other electronic means, including facsimile and e-mail.

(12) The administrator will advise the parties of the presumed correct support amount and may seek a consent order. Notification may be by motion for modification and will include a request for hearing form.

(13) If a request under this rule is denied, the administrator will notify the requesting party of the denial in writing within 30 days and inform the party of their right to file a motion for modification as provided in ORS 416.425. The administrator will advise the party on how to obtain the Oregon Judicial Department packet that has been prescribed for this purpose.

(14) No provision of this rule precludes the parties from obtaining the services of private legal counsel at any time to pursue modification of the support order pursuant to all applicable laws.

(15) If a request for review and modification is received because a change in the physical custody of the minor child(ren) has taken place, a party may also request a credit back to the date the change in physical custody took place in accordance with OAR 137-055-5510.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 416.455

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.080, 25.287, 25.321 - 25.343, 107.108,107.135, 416.425

Hist.: DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 4-2005, f. & cert. ef. 4-1-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 4-2009(Temp), f. 5-6-09, cert. ef. 5-7-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 6-2009(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 5-14-09 thru 11-1-09; DOJ 13-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-30-09; DOJ 13-2010(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 7-1-10 thru 12-27-10; DOJ 19-2010, f. 12-20-10, cert. ef. 12-27-10; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-3640

Enforcement of a Subpoena by License Suspension

(1) For the purposes of this rule the following definitions apply:

(a) “License” means any of the licenses, certificates, permits or registrations that a person is required by state law to possess in order to engage in an occupation or profession, all annual licenses issued to individuals by the Oregon Liquor Control Commission, all driving privileges granted by the Department of Transportation under ORS chapter 807 which includes all driving licenses and permits, and all hunting and fishing licenses and tags issued by the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife;

(b) “Administrative review” means a review of the obligor’s objection to proposed action under this rule performed by the administrator to determine that:

(A) There is not a mistake in identity of the party;

(B) The party has not complied with the subpoena; or

(C) The subpoena was properly served upon the party.

(2) At the discretion of the administrator, the administrator may use the remedy set out in this rule or any other remedy allowable under Oregon law to enforce compliance with a subpoena issued pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.

(3) When a party to a child support or paternity case has been served with a subpoena pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620 the time for compliance set out on the subpoena has expired and the subpoenaed party has not complied with the subpoena, the administrator may serve notice to the party that a license or licenses issued to that party will be suspended.

(4) The notice of license suspension will contain:

(a) The license(s) subject to suspension;

(b) The name of the person whose license is subject to suspension, the child support case number, the social security number, if available, and date of birth, if known;

(c) The date the original subpoena had been served, the deadline the subpoena set for compliance and the documents or information that had been subpoenaed;

(d) The procedure for contesting license suspension and the bases for contesting the suspension. The only bases for contesting the suspension are:

(A) There is a mistake in identity of the party;

(B) The party has complied with the subpoena; or

(C) The subpoena was not properly served upon the party pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.

(e) A statement that the party has 30 days to contest suspension in writing by requesting an administrative review on a form provided by the administrator;

(f) A statement that if the party provides the information or documents that were originally specified in the subpoena within 30 days of the date of the notice, the license(s) will not be suspended; and

(g) A statement that failure to contact the administrator within 30 days of the date of the notice to either request an administrative review to contest the suspension or to provide the originally subpoenaed information or documents will result in suspension of the license(s).

(5) If the party contests the suspension of the license(s), the administrator will conduct an administrative review to determine if the suspension should occur:

(6) If the administrator determines that the suspension of the license should occur, all parties will receive written notice of such determination. The notice will include the following:

(a) The basis for the determination;

(b) The right to appeal the determination and a form on which to make the appeal;

(c) The time limit for making an appeal is 30 days from the date of the notice;

(d) That if no appeal of the suspension is received within 30 days, the licensing agency will be notified to suspend the license immediately.

(7) An appeal of the determination in subsection (5) of this rule will be to an administrative law judge and the suspension of the license is stayed pending the decision of the administrative law judge. The only bases for the appeal are:

(a) There is a mistake in identity of the party;

(b) The party has complied with the subpoena; or

(c) The subpoena was not properly served upon the party pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.

(8) If the party fails to provide the subpoenaed information or documents or fails to appeal the determination within the time period allowed, or if the administrative law judge affirms the administrative determination, the administrator will send a notice to the issuing agency to suspend the license. A copy of this order will be sent to all parties by regular mail.

(9) The notice to the issuing agency to suspend the license will contain the following:

(a) A statement that a child support or paternity case record is being maintained by the Child Support Program and that the license holder is a party in that case; and

(b) A statement that the holder of the license has failed to comply with a subpoena pursuant to OAR 137-055-3620.

(10) At any time after suspension of the license, the party may request that the administrator conduct a review to determine if the basis for the license suspension continues to exist. The administrator will review the suspension and notify the issuing agency to reinstate the license, when any of the following conditions are met:

(a) The party has furnished the originally subpoenaed information or documents;

(b) The legal action, enforcement action or other case action has been completed and there is no longer a need for the originally subpoenaed information or documents; or

(c) There is no longer a Child Support Program case.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.082, 25.750, and 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.082 and 25.750

Hist.: AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0077; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3640; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-3640; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-4130

Reduced Income Withholding

(1) The administrator will set an amount less than the amount prescribed by ORS 25.414 to be withheld if withholding is only for arrears and the obligor demonstrates the withholding is prejudicial to the obligor’s ability to provide for:

(a) A child the obligor has a duty to support; or

(b) The obligor’s basic needs.

(2) For the purposes of sections (3) and (4) of this rule, “the obligor’s household” means the obligor’s personal residence.

(3) In determining the obligor’s basic needs and the number and basic needs of other persons living in the obligor’s household, in addition to the factors outlined in ORS 25.414(5), the administrator will consider:

(a) The obligor’s relationship to the person, including but not limited to whether the person is a relative or part of a domestic partnership with the obligor, as defined in ORS 106.310;

(b) Whether there is a duty for the obligor to support the person under ORS 108.040, 108.045 or 109.010; and

(c) Whether the person has available resources.

(4) In considering the basic needs of the obligor and other persons living in the obligor’s household as outlined in ORS 25.414(5), the administrator may require the obligor to provide documentation, including but not limited to doctor’s statements, pay stubs, tax return information, a uniform income statement form or other asset information. The administrator also may require the obligor to provide documentation showing that a person resides in the obligor’s household.

(5) An agreement for a reduced amount of withholding may terminate and income withholding for the full amount allowable by law may be reinstated, unless the obligor otherwise qualifies for an exception pursuant to OAR 137-055-4080, when:

(a) According to the case record, the obligor is out of compliance with the agreement; or

(b) The time period covered by the agreement has expired.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.414, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.414

Hist.: DOJ 14-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-2-02, DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 137-050-0605; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-4440

Liens Against Personal and Real Property

(1) A judgment for support constitutes a lien on real and personal property as provided for in Oregon law.

(2) Whenever there is a judgment for unpaid support and the administrator learns that an obligor has assets, then the administrator may cause a lien to be recorded on any real or personal property owned by the obligor unless the property is exempt from lien laws under Oregon law.

(3) An obligee from another state with a judgment for unpaid support may record a lien under the provisions of ORS 18.158, and must use the form provided by the Office of Child Support Enforcement of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(4) Pursuant to OAR 137-055-4300(3), the administrator may use the process described in this rule as one of several enforcement options available and may exercise discretion to optimize collection potential in individual cases. The administrator will prioritize this enforcement option in decision making based on availability and application of other enforcement options and available staff resources. Prior to forcing a sale of real or personal property, the administrator must consider the following factors:

(a) The market value of the property after subtracting the value of superior claims of senior lien holders;

(b) The market conditions for achieving maximum return;

(c) The long-term impact on the obligor’s ability to comply with an unsatisfied or future support duty;

(d) The storage costs, notice and sale costs;

(e) Exemption claims;

(f) Co-ownership of the property, or impact on any existing trust on the property; and

(g) The availability of other, more effective remedies to satisfy the support debt.

(5) The administrator may not proceed with this enforcement option when a court of appropriate jurisdiction has ordered that the obligor be exempted from referral. The obligor must notify the obligee and the administrator when filing a claim for an exemption with a court.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345 & 18.150

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.158, 25.670 & 25.690

Hist.: AFS 25-1990, f. 11-21-90, cert. ef. 12-1-90; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0235; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4440; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4440; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-4520

Garnishment

(1) The administrator may utilize garnishment proceedings in accordance with ORS Chapter 18 for the purpose of collecting past due support.

(2)(a) When the administrator receives a collection from a garnishment proceeding, the Division of Child Support (DCS) will hold the collection for 40 days if the garnishee is making a payment of other than wages or 120 days if the garnishee is making a payment of wages before disbursing any amounts due a party from the collection.

(b) This requirement is to accommodate the possibility that the administrator may have to return funds from the collection to the garnishee, the obligor, or the court, as a result of the obligor or any person who has an interest in the garnished property having made a challenge to garnishment in accordance with ORS chapter 18.

(c) The administrator will waive this requirement to hold the collection, and will apply the collection to the case for immediate distribution, in any case where the obligor provides the administrator with a signed and notarized statement expressly waiving the right to make a challenge to garnishment and requesting that the administrator apply, distribute and, as appropriate, disburse the payment immediately.

(3) Upon notice of a challenge to garnishment from the clerk of the court, the administrator will file a response to the challenge to garnishment, attaching copies of the writ of garnishment, garnishee response, debt calculation and any supporting documentation necessary or helpful to the court in making a determination of the challenge to garnishment.

(4) When a single writ of garnishment is issued for two or more cases as provided in ORS 18.645, notice of a challenge to garnishment is received and the administrator files the response required by section (3), the administrator will include copies of all judgments for which the writ is issued and a debt calculation for each referenced judgment.

(5) When the contents of a bank account are garnished and the obligor makes a timely challenge to garnishment that claims that all or some portion of the contents of the account came from lump sum payments identified in ORS 18.345, the administrator may return to the obligor the exempt portion of such lump sum payments received from that account, as appropriate.

(6) When the garnishee is a credit union, the credit union may retain the par value of the garnished account, defined as the face value of an individual credit union share necessary to maintain a customer’s membership.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020; 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.345, 18.645, 25.020 & 25.080

Hist.: AFS 28-1996, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-96; AFS 23-1997, f. 12-29-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 2-2000, f. 1-28-00, cert. ef. 2-1-00; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0238; AFS 28-2001, f. 12-28-01, cert. ef. 1-1-02; AFS 15-2002, f. 10-30-02, ef. 11-1-02; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4520; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-4520; DOJ 2-2004, f. 1-2-04 cert. ef. 1-5-04; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-5400

Obligor Receiving Cash Assistance, Presumed Unable to Pay Child Support

(1) Cases for obligors receiving cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245 from Oregon will be identified and processed as set forth in ORS 25.245. Obligors receiving cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245 from another state or tribe must provide to the administrator written proof of receipt of such cash assistance. The written proof must:

(a) Be provided by the obligor to the administrator to initiate suspension and every three months thereafter;

(b) Include the date the cash assistance payment was first made, the amount of the cash assistance for each and every month in which cash assistance was received, and the ending date, if known, of the cash assistance;

(c) Be official documentation, recognized by the issuing agency, that covers each and every month that cash assistance was received, including but not limited to a benefits award letter, deposit record or receipt.

(2)(a) When an obligor has provided written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to section (1) of this rule, the administrator will, subject to section (3) of this rule, credit the case for arrears accrued from the date the obligor submitted written proof of receipt of cash assistance back to the date the cash assistance was first made, but not earlier than October 6, 2001;

(b) When an obligor notifies the administrator that the obligor is no longer receiving cash assistance, the administrator will begin accrual and billing pursuant to the support order currently in effect with the next support payment due following the end of the last month that the obligor received public assistance;

(c) If the obligor fails to provide written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to section (1) of this rule, the administrator will begin accrual and billing pursuant to the support order currently in effect with the next support payment due for the month following the month for which the obligor last provided written proof;

(d) If the obligor provides written proof of receipt of cash assistance pursuant to section (1) of this rule after failing to provide timely written proof of receipt of cash assistance within three months, thereby causing the administrator to begin billing and accrual pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, support accrual may be suspended and arrears may be credited pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.

(3)(a) Within 30 days of receipt of information that the obligor is receiving cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245(1), the administrator must send a notice to all parties to the support order. The notice will contain a statement of the presumption that support accrual ceases and include the following:

(A) A statement of the month in which cash assistance was first made;

(B) A statement that unless the party objects, that child support payments have ceased accruing beginning with the support payment due on or after the date the obligor began receiving cash assistance, but not earlier than:

(i) January 1, 1994, if the obligor received Oregon Title IV-A cash assistance, Oregon general cash assistance, Oregon Supplemental Income Program cash assistance or Supplemental Security Income Program payments by the Social Security Administration; or

(ii) October 6, 2001, if the obligor received Title IV-A cash assistance or general cash assistance from another state or Tribe;

(C) A statement that the administrator will continue providing enforcement services, including services to collect any arrears;

(D) A statement that if the obligor ceases to receive cash assistance as specified in ORS 25.245(1), accrual and billing will begin with the next support payment due following the end of the last month that the obligor receives cash assistance or for which the obligor provided written proof;

(E) A statement that any party may object to the presumption that the obligor is unable to pay support by sending to the administrator a written objection within 30 days of the date of service;

(F) A statement that the objections must include a written description of the resource or other evidence that might rebut the presumption of inability to pay; and

(G) A statement that the entity responsible for providing enforcement services represents the state and that low cost legal counsel may be available.

(b) Included with each notice under this section will be a separate form for the party to use if they choose to file an objection to the presumption that the obligor is unable to pay support.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.245 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.245

Hist.: AFS 4-1994, f. & cert. ef. 3-4-94; AFS 20-1998, f. & cert. ef. 10-5-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0120; AFS 23-2001, f. 10-2-01, cert. ef. 10-6-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5400; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5400; DOJ 5-2005, f. & cert. ef. 7-15-05; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-5420

Application for Credit and Satisfaction for Child Support Owing While Obligor Received Cash Assistance

(1) The following applies to any application for credit and satisfaction under ORS 25.245:

(a) No credit or satisfaction will be given for periods for which the court or administrative law judge has previously declined to suspend the obligor’s child support obligation in an action under ORS 25.245;

(b) No credit or satisfaction will be given for child support coming due before January 1, 1994, if the obligor received Oregon Title IV-A cash assistance, Oregon general assistance, Oregon supplemental Income Program cash assistance or Supplemental Security Income Program payments by the Social Security Administration;

(c) No credit or satisfaction will be given for child support coming due before October 6, 2001, if the obligor received Title IV-A cash assistance or general cash assistance from another state or Tribe;

(d) No credit or satisfaction will be given for months when the administrator had suspended accrual or where credit was already received.

(2) An application for credit and satisfaction may be made on a form provided by the administrator.

(3) The administrator will provide the application form to any person receiving services under ORS 25.080 who requests it or who raises concerns or questions regarding child support arrears incurred while receiving cash assistance.

(4) Upon receipt of a completed application, the administrator will serve any nonrequesting party notice that the application has been made. The administrator will include a form to object and request a hearing.

(5) If a party completes and returns the hearing request within 30 days of the date of service, the administrator will forward all relevant documents to the Office of Administrative Hearings to schedule a hearing and advise the parties of the time, place and manner of hearing.

(6) If no request for hearing is received, the administrator will submit an appropriate order to the administrative law judge for entry.

(7) Nothing in this rule precludes application directly to the court for the relief provided by ORS 25.245(7).

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.245, 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.245

Hist.: AFS 23-1996, f. 5-31-96, cert. ef. 7-1-96; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0125; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5420; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-5420; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-6021

Distribution and Disbursement: General Provisions

The terms used in this rule have the meanings set out in OAR 137-055-1020 and 137-055-6010.

(1) The Department of Justice (DOJ) will disburse support payments within two business days after receipt if sufficient information identifying the payee is provided, except:

(a) Support payments received as a result of tax refund intercepts will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed within thirty calendar days of receipt or, if applicable, within fifteen calendar days of an administrative review or hearing. If the state is notified by the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury (the Secretary) or the Oregon Department of Revenue (DOR) that an offset on a non-assistance case is from a refund based on a joint return, distribution may be delayed, up to a maximum of six months, until notified by the Secretary or DOR that the obligor’s spouse has been paid their share of the refund;

(b) Support payments received from a garnishment will be disbursed as provided in OAR 137-055-4520;

(c) Support payments for future support will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as provided in section (13) of this rule;

(d) Support payments for less than five dollars;

(A) May be delayed until a future payment is received which increases the payment amount due the family to at least five dollars; or

(B) Will be retained by DOJ if case circumstances are such that there is no possibility of a future payment, unless the obligee:

(i) Has direct deposit;

(ii) Receives ReliaCard payments; or

(iii) Requests issuance of a check, if the obligee does not have direct deposit or has an exemption from receiving ReliaCard payments.

(e) When an obligor contests an order to withhold, funds will be disbursed pursuant to OAR 137-055-4160(5).

(2) DOJ will distribute support payments received on behalf of a family who has never received assistance to the family, first toward current support, then toward support arrears, not to exceed the amount of arrears.

(3)(a) DOJ may send support payments designated for the obligee to another person or entity caring for the child(ren) if physical custody has changed from the obligee to the other person or entity; however, prior to doing so, DOJ will require a notarized statement of authorization from the obligee or a court order requiring such disbursement.

(b) DOJ will change the payee to a private collection agent that the obligee has retained for support enforcement services only in accordance with OAR 137-055-6025.

(c) DOJ will redirect payments for the child who qualifies as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 only in accordance with 137-055-5110.

(4) Child support and spousal support have equal priority in the distribution of payments.

(5) Current child support and cash medical support will be distributed and disbursed on a prorated basis. To calculate the prorated distribution for each case, the administrator will determine the amount designated as child support and the amount designated as cash medical support, and divide each by the total support obligation. For example: the total support obligation is $400, of which $300 is child support and $100 is cash medical support; a payment of $300 is received. In this example, the child support is 75 percent of the total support obligation so $225 would be distributed and disbursed to child support; cash medical support is 25 percent of the total support obligation so $75 would be distributed and disbursed to cash medical support.

(6)(a) For Oregon support orders or modifications, a prorated share (unless otherwise ordered) of current support payments received within the month due will be disbursed directly to the child who qualifies as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110.

(b) Any arrears resulting from unpaid current support to the child attending school will accrue to the child until the child reaches the age of 21 or is otherwise emancipated, at which time arrears will revert to, and be owed to, the obligee.

(c) Any payment received on arrears will be disbursed in equal shares to the obligee and to the child if the arrears accrued while the child was a child attending school, until the child reaches the age of 21 or is otherwise emancipated.

(7) If the obligor has a current support obligation for multiple children on a single case, those children have different assistance statuses and the order does not indicate a specified amount per child, current support payments will be prorated based upon the number of children and their assistance status. Support payments in excess of current support for these cases will be distributed and, as appropriate, disbursed as provided in OAR 137-055-6022.

(8) DOJ will retain the fee charged by the Secretary for cases referred for Full Collection Services per OAR 137-055-4360 from any amount subsequently collected by the Secretary under this program. DOJ will credit the obligor’s case for the full amount of collection and distribute and, as appropriate, disburse the balance as provided in OAR 137-055-6022.

(9) Unless a federal tax refund intercept collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will retain the fee charged by the Secretary. Despite the fee, DOJ will credit the obligor’s case for the full amount of the collection. If the collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will pay the fee.

(10) Unless a state tax refund intercept collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will retain the fee charged by the Department of Revenue. Despite the fee, DOJ will credit the obligor’s case for the full amount of the collection. If the collection is disbursed to assigned support, DOJ will pay the fee.

(11) Within each arrears type in the sequence of payment distribution and disbursement in OAR 137-055-6022, 137-055-6023 or 137-055-6024, DOJ will apply the support payment to the oldest debt in each arrears type.

(12) Any excess funds remaining after arrears are paid in full will be processed as provided in OAR 137-055-6260 unless the obligor has elected in writing to apply the credit balance toward future support as provided in section (13) of this rule.

(13) DOJ will distribute and, as appropriate, disburse support payments representing future support on a monthly basis when each such payment actually becomes due. No amounts may be applied to future months unless current support and all arrears have been paid in full.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.610 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 18.645, 25.020 & 25.610

Hist.: DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 1-2007, f. & cert. ef. 1-2-07; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-6200

Adjusting Case Arrears When an Error is Identified

The purpose of this rule is to set out what the administrator will do when an error is identified which requires adjusting the arrears of a case.

(1) “Complete payment record” means that the Division of Child Support (DCS) has kept the payment record for the support judgment from the date of the first support payment required under the judgment, or the obligee or the administrator established arrears for the time period when DCS did not keep the payment record on the case.

(2) A notice will only be sent as provided for in this rule when the amount of arrears to be adjusted is at least $5.

(3) If the error occurred within the current billing cycle, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record.

(4) If DCS has a complete payment record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred prior to the current billing cycle, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record and send a notice to the parties advising of:

(a) The change in the case arrears; and

(b) The right to, within 30 days of the date of the notice from DCS, submit a written request for an administrative review to determine if DCS’s record-keeping and accounting related to the adjustment of arrears is correct.

(5) DCS will conduct the administrative review within 30 days of receiving the party’s written request, and will send written notification to the parties of the results of the review. The notice will include a citation of the parties’ rights to appeal the decision under ORS 183.484.

(6) If DCS does not have a complete payment record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred prior to the current billing cycle, but within the previous 180 days, the administrator will:

(a) Send a notice to the parties that the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record as indicated in the notice if none of the parties object within a 30-day period following the date of the notice;

(b) If none of the parties object within 30 days of the notice, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record as indicated in the notice;

(c) If any party objects within 30 days of the notice, the administrator will establish the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429.

(7) If DCS does not have a complete payment record for the support payment judgment and the error occurred over 180 days ago, the administrator will establish the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429.

(8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule, if under a contingency order the error is due to a failure to accurately reflect on the case record the periods of residence of the child in state care, the administrator will adjust the arrears on the case record and notify the obligor unless the Department of Human Services or Oregon Youth Authority directs otherwise.

(9) On a closed case:

(a) If all the arrears to be added to the case are assigned to the state, the administrator will not open the case if it is for a period of less than four months of accrual or less than $500;

(b) If all the arrears to be added to the case are assigned to the state and the arrears are for a period of a least four months or $500, the administrator will open the case and establish the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429;

(c) If any of the arrears to be added to the case are owed to the obligee, the administrator will send a notice to the obligee and, if the arrears are for at least $25, ask if the obligee wants enforcement of the arrears. If the obligee requests enforcement, the administrator will open the case and establish the arrears under the process found in ORS 25.167 or 416.429;

(d) If any of the arrears to be added to the case are owed to an adult child as defined in OAR 137-055-5110, the administrator will send a notice to the adult child but will not open the case for the adult child until the adult child qualifies as a child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110;

(e) Except as otherwise provided in OAR 137-055-4455 or 137-055-6220, if the error was due to an accounting error of the administrator and the adjustment to arrears will cause a credit balance, the administrator will return the excess amount to the obligor if the amount is at least $5 and the payment was applied to a state account; or

(f) If the error was not due to an accounting error of the administrator and the adjustment to arrears will cause a credit balance, the administrator will send an informational notice to the parties.

(10) Notwithstanding section (6) or section (9), on any case in which the applicant for services has requested non-enforcement and the error only affects the amount of arrears owed to the obligee, the administrator will update the case record appropriately.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020

Hist.: DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03; DOJ 8-2005(Temp), f. & cert. ef. 9-1-05 thru 2-17-06; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 8-2007, f. 9-28-07, cert. ef. 10-1-07; DOJ 12-2009, f. & cert. ef. 10-1-09; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-6220

Recovery of Overpayments on Support Accounts

(1) A child support overpayment in favor of the State of Oregon is created when:

(a) The Department of Justice (DOJ) has transmitted money to an obligee, to a person or entity authorized to receive support payments or to an obligor, and that amount:

(A) Was transmitted in error or is attributable in whole or in part to a tax refund offset collection, all or part of which has been reclaimed by the Internal Revenue Service or the Oregon Department of Revenue; and

(B) Does not qualify as an advance payment under OAR 137-055-6210 or as payment for future support under 137-055-6021(13); or

(b) DOJ receives a check from an obligor, other payor on behalf of the obligor, or withholder, transmits the appropriate amount from that check to the payee, and that check is dishonored.

(2) For overpayments described in subsection (1)(a), sections (3) through (8) of this rule apply. For overpayments described in subsection (1)(b), sections (9) through (12) of this rule apply.

(3) DOJ will determine a threshold amount for which attempts to recover the overpayment will occur. In determining the threshold, DOJ will consider the cost of:

(a) Staff time in processing the overpayment collection request; and

(b) An administrative hearing and the average number of cases requesting a hearing.

(4) When a notice is issued under ORS 25.125 to a person or entity described in subsection (1)(a), DOJ will include a statement that the person or entity:

(a) Must respond within 30 days from the date of the notice to object and request an administrative review; and

(b) If appropriate, may voluntarily assign any future support to repay the overpayment.

(5) If the person or entity described in subsection (1)(a) requests an administrative review, DOJ will conduct the administrative review within 30 days after receiving the request and notify the person or entity of the results of the review.

(6) Notice of the results of the administrative review will include a statement that the person or entity described in subsection (1)(a) must respond within 30 days from the date of the notice to object and request an administrative hearing.

(7) If the person or entity described in subsection (1)(a) files a written objection or request for hearing within 30 days, an administrative law judge shall then hear the objection.

(a) An order by an administrative law judge is final.

(b) The person or entity described in subsection (1)(a) may appeal the decision of an administrative law judge to the circuit court for a hearing de novo. The appeal shall be by a petition for review, filed within 60 days after the date that the final hearing order has been mailed.

(8) If a person or entity described in subsection (1)(a) fails to file a written request for administrative review, objection or request for hearing, fails to voluntarily assign future support, or if an order setting the overpayment amount is received from an administrative law judge, DOJ may refer the overpayment for collection as provided in ORS 293.231.

(9) When a notice is issued to an obligor or withholder under ORS 25.125(5), DOJ will include a statement that the obligor or withholder must respond within 30 days of the date of the notice and request an administrative review.

(10) If the obligor or withholder requests an administrative review, DOJ will conduct the administrative review within 30 days after receiving the request and notify the obligor or withholder of the results of the review.

(11) The obligor or withholder may appeal the result of the administrative review as provided in ORS 183.484.

(12) If the obligor or withholder fails to request an administrative review or if the result of an administrative review is that an overpayment occurred, DOJ may refer the overpayment for collection from the obligor or withholder as provided in ORS 293.231.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.125, 180.345 & 293

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.125

Hist.: AFS 23-1983(Temp), f. & ef. 5-18-83; AFS 53-1983, f. 10-28-83, ef. 11-1-83; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0045; AFS 3-1992, f. 1-31-92, cert. ef. 2-1-92; AFS 16-1997, f. 9-2-97, cert. ef. 10-1-97; AFS 13-1999, f. 10-29-99, cert. ef. 11-1-99; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0265; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6220; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6220; DOJ 10-2004, f. & cert. ef. 7-1-04; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 9-2005, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-05; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-6240

Dishonored Payments on Support Accounts

When the Department of Justice (DOJ) receives a check from an obligor, withholder, or other payor on behalf of the obligor and that check is then dishonored, DOJ will:

(1) Remove credit for the dishonored amount from the obligor’s case record;

(2) Hold all future payments by check from that payor for 18 working days, or until the check clears the payor’s financial institution, before forwarding payment to the obligee. DOJ may waive this requirement after a one-year period if no further payments from that payor have been dishonored, or if the dishonored payment was dishonored for reasons that DOJ has determined were beyond the payor’s control, such as an error on the part of the financial institution or on the part of DOJ.

(3) DOJ may assess a fee not to exceed $35 against the payor of the check.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.125 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020; 25.125 & 30.701

Hist.: AFS 53-1983, f. 10-28-83, ef. 11-1-83; AFS 66-1989, f. 11-28-89, cert. ef. 12-1-89, Renumbered from 461-035-0046; AFS 16-1997, f. 9-2-97, cert. ef. 10-1-97; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0270; AFS 4-2001, f. 3-28-01, cert. ef. 4-1-01; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6240; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6240; DOJ 16-2004, f. 12-30-04, cert. ef. 1-3-05; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

137-055-6260

Return of Overcollected Support Amounts

(1) When the Division of Child Support (DCS) receives a support payment on an account for which no current order exists for ongoing support, DCS will apply the payment to any arrears the obligor may owe on the account. If any excess funds remain from the payment after any arrears are paid in full, and DCS has not forwarded the excess amount to the payee, DCS will return the excess amount to the obligor within 30 days of discovering the overcollection.

(2) On any account for which an ongoing support obligation exists, and DCS receives a payment that exceeds the total amount due for current support and arrears and has not forwarded the excess amount to the payee, DCS will return the excess amount to the obligor under the following circumstances:

(a) When an income withholding order exists and the withholder does not receive or implement a notice from the administrator to reduce withholding to the amount of the current ongoing support obligation in a timely manner, such as may occur after all arrears are collected or after the ongoing support obligation is modified downward;

(b) When a state or federal tax refund is intercepted in an amount exceeding the amount owed for arrears; or

(c) When TANF cash assistance is being granted to the obligee or children on the support case, unless the obligor and the administrator agree otherwise.

(3) Notwithstanding section (1), on any account for which no current order exists for ongoing support, when a withholder sends a payment that exceeds the total amount that should have been withheld under ORS 25.414(1)(d), there is no order for expanded withholding under 25.387, and DCS has not forwarded the excess amount to the obligee, DCS will return the excess amount to the obligor.

(4) When DCS receives a payment that exceeds the total amount due for current support and arrears and has forwarded the excess amount to the payee, DCS will notify the parties in writing within 30 days of discovering the overcollection that:

(a) A credit balance in the obligor’s favor has resulted from the overcollection; and

(b) The obligee or child attending school under ORS 107.108 and OAR 137-055-5110 may, within 30 days of the date of the notice from DCS, submit a written request to DCS for an administrative review to determine if DCS’s record-keeping and accounting related to calculation of the credit balance is correct.

(5) DCS will conduct the administrative review within 30 days of receiving the party’s written request, and will send written notification to the parties of the results of the review.

(6) In any case where DCS is required to return overcollected funds to an obligor under section (2) of this rule, the obligor may elect to forego the return of some or all of the overcollected funds and to instead use any credit balance amount thus established under this rule to offset the obligor’s future ongoing support obligation, genetic test fees or arrears. An obligor wishing to elect this option must notify DCS before DCS has returned such funds to the obligor.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 25.020, 25.125 & 180.345

Stats. Implemented: ORS 25.020 & 25.125

Hist.: AFS 26-1997, f. 12-31-97, cert. ef. 1-1-98; AFS 32-2000, f. 11-29-00, cert. ef. 12-1-00, Renumbered from 461-195-0272; DOJ 6-2003(Temp), f. 6-25-03, cert. ef. 7-1-03 thru 12-28-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6260; DOJ 10-2003, f. 9-29-03, cert. ef. 10-1-03, Renumbered from 461-200-6260; DOJ 1-2006, f & cert. ef. 1-3-06; DOJ 5-2006, f. 6-29-06, cert. ef. 7-3-06; DOJ 6-2006, f. & cert. ef. 10-2-06; DOJ 1-2010, f. & cert. ef. 1-4-10; DOJ 13-2011, f. 12-30-11, cert. ef. 1-3-12

Rule Caption: Amends Attorney General’s Model Rules of Procedure for the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Adm. Order No.: DOJ 1-2012

Filed with Sec. of State: 1-11-2012

Certified to be Effective: 1-31-12

Notice Publication Date: 8-1-2011

Rules Amended: 137-003-0501, 137-003-0505, 137-003-0510, 137-003-0520, 137-003-0525, 137-003-0528, 137-003-0530, 137-003-0545, 137-003-0550, 137-003-0555, 137-003-0560, 137-003-0575, 137-003-0580, 137-003-0600, 137-003-0605, 137-003-0625, 137-003-0635, 137-003-0640, 137-003-0645, 137-003-0655, 137-003-0665, 137-003-0670, 137-003-0672, 137-003-0690

Rules Ren. & Amend: 137-003-0570 to 137-003-0566, 137-003-0570 to 137-003-0567, 137-003-0570 to 137-003-0568, 137-003-0570 to 137-003-0569

Subject: General rules for Office of Administrative Hearings: (1) Reorganized to be more user-friendly; (2) clarifies that the Attorney General must consult with the Chief Administrative Law Judge before exempting agencies or categories of cases from the OAH model rules as required by statute; (3) adds “reasonable reliance on the statement of a party or agency relating to procedural requirements” to the definition of “good cause” that is applicable to the model rules for the OAH; and (4) clarifies that OAR 471-060-005 (establishing procedures to request a change of ALJ) applies to contested case hearings conducted by the OAH.

      Contested case notice: (1) Adds requirements that notice include: (a) proposed sanction and; (b) statement that non-corporeal parties must be represented by Oregon attorney; (2) limits time to amend notice and establishes criteria to amend during hearing; and, (3) requires continuance, upon request of party, when agency amends notice, but exempts implied consent proceedings.

      Hearing requests: (1) Specifies that request for hearing serves as a general denial of the facts alleged in the notice, provides exceptions; (2) provides that agencies may not reject hearing requests because not signed by Oregon attorney where representation required, but requires attorney ratification within specified time; (3) requires agencies to accept late hearing requests that are postmarked within the time specified for timely filing, if specified criteria are met; (4) changes standard to accept other late hearing requests from “beyond the reasonable control of the party” to “good cause”; and (5) clarifies rule regarding hearings on disputes over untimely hearing requests.

      Discovery: (1) Divides the current discovery rule, OAR 137-003-0570, into four separate rules to make it more user-friendly; (2) requires certain discovery to be provided upon request, provides exceptions; (3) provides exception from duty to confer before seeking discovery order when the effort would be futile or potentially harmful; (4) removes redundant language from discovery standard; (5) eliminates the agency’s authority to immediately review ALJ or CALJ discovery orders; (6) requires ALJ to grant a continuance (including in telephone hearings) to allow the agency or party to respond to evidence that was not disclosed as ordered or requested, specifies exceptions; and (7) eliminates agency discretion to delegate their subpoena power to ALJs.

      Immediate review of ALJ decisions: Eliminates authority of agencies, at the request of a party or on their own motion, to immediately review specified ALJ decisions, such as an order to quash a subpoena or to apply privileges.

      Prehearing Conferences: (1) Allows parties to request additional matters to be considered at prehearing conferences; and (2) allows ALJ to set timeframes for exchange of witness lists and exhibits at prehearing conference; specifies that agency may set timeframes by rule for cases with no prehearing conferences.

      Lay Representatives: Requires lay representatives to read and be familiar with a Code of Conduct for Non-Attorney Representatives at Administrative Hearings.

      Filing and providing documents: (1) Amended to be more user-friendly; (2) tolls deadline for filing documents for scheduled office closures, which would include furlough days; and (3) specifies methods to accomplish filing.

      Emergency license suspensions: (1) Specifies time limits for all phases of the emergency license suspension process, but allows licensee to waive or agree to an extension of those time limits; and (2) prohibits consolidation of emergency license suspension hearing with the underlying licensing proceeding unless agreed to by the licensee.

      Ex parte communications with ALJ: To conform to 2009 statutory amendment, deletes language that exempted from the ex parte rules communications made to the ALJ by an AAG if the communication was made in response to a request from the ALJ and the AAG is not advising the agency about matters at issue in the contested case.

      Transmittal of questions to the Agency: (1) Reorganizes rule to make it more user-friendly; and (2) requires someone with authority to speak on the question to answer a transmitted question.

      Motions for summary determination: Clarifies that OAH has authority to accept a stipulation when the parties stipulate that the case be decided on a record limited to documents.

      Default when proposed action does not become final without a hearing or default: (1) Changes standard for excusing the failure to appear for hearing from “caused by circumstances beyond the party’s reasonable control” to “good cause”; and (2) provides a right to hearing on reasons for party’s failure to appear if in dispute.

      Default when order may become final without request for hearing: (1) Authorizes ALJ to provide a hearing if, before dismissing hearing request, the ALJ finds that the party had good cause for not appearing; and (2) provides a right to hearing if reasons for failure to appear are in dispute.

      Changes to ALJ’s proposed order: To reflect 2009 statutory amendment, changes standard for agency to change a finding of fact in a proposed order from “not supported by a preponderance of the evidence: to “clear and convincing evidence in the record that the finding made by the administrative law judge was wrong.”

      Time for issuing an amended proposed order or final order: States that an agency normally should issue an amended proposed order or final order within 90 days of the date that the proposed order was issued or, if not, give notice to the ALJ and all of the parties of the date that the agency expects to issue the amended proposed or final order, provides exceptions.

      Requests for stay: Rewritten to more closely align with the
language of ORS 183.482(3)(a).

Rules Coordinator: Carol Riches—(503) 947-4700

137-003-0501

Rules for Office of Administrative Hearings

(1) OAR 137-003-0501 to 137-003-0700 apply to the conduct of all contested case hearings conducted for an agency by an administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings unless:

(a) The case is not subject to the procedural requirements for contested cases; or

(b) The Attorney General, after consultation with the Chief Administrative Law Judge, has exempted the agency or a category of the agency’s cases, by order, from the application of these rules in whole or in part.

(2) Any procedural rules adopted by the agency related to the conduct of hearings shall not apply to contested case hearings conducted for the agency by an administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings unless required by state or federal law or specifically authorized by these rules or by order of the Attorney General.

(3) An agency may have rules specifying the time for requesting a contested case hearing, the permissible scope of the hearing and timelines for issuance of a proposed or final order. A request for hearing will be deemed to be a general denial of the matters alleged in the notice, unless a more specific response is required by statute or by agency rule. An agency rule establishing a different requirement for the response must be based on the agency’s determination that, due to the complexity of the program or category of cases, a more specific response is warranted. Such rules should also provide parties the opportunity to amend their responses except when doing so would be unduly prejudicial. The amendments to this subsection apply to all hearing requests filed after January 31, 2012.

(4) Agencies with authority to assess the costs of an action or proceeding against a party may have rules specifying procedures related to assessment of costs.

(5) The agency’s substantive rules, including those allocating the burden of proof, shall apply to all of its hearings.

(6) If permitted by law, the agency may delegate to an administrative law judge any of the agency’s functions under these rules, including the authority to issue a final order. This delegation must be in writing and may be for a category of cases or on a case-by-case basis.

(7) For purposes of OAR 137-003-0501 to 137-003-0700, “good cause” exists when an action, delay, or failure to act arises from an excusable mistake, surprise, excusable neglect, reasonable reliance on the statement of a party or agency relating to procedural requirements, or from fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct of a party or agency participating in the proceeding.

(8) OAR 471-060-0005, Request for Change of Administrative Law Judge, applies to contested cases conducted by the Office of Administrative Hearings.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0505

Contested Case Notice

(1) When the agency is required to issue a contested case notice pursuant to ORS 183.415, the notice shall include:

(a) A caption with the name of the agency and the name of the person or agency to whom the notice is issued;

(b) A short and plain statement of the matters asserted or charged and a reference to the particular sections of the statute and rules involved;

(c) A statement of the party’s right to be represented by counsel and that legal aid organizations may be able to assist a party with limited financial resources;

(d) A statement of the party’s right to a hearing;

(e) A statement of the authority and jurisdiction under which a hearing is to be held on the matters asserted or charged;

(f) Either:

(A) A statement of the procedure and time to request a hearing, the agency address to which a hearing request should be sent, and a statement that if a request for hearing is not received by the agency within the time stated in the notice the person will have waived the right to a contested case hearing; or

(B) A statement of the time and place of the hearing;

(g) A statement indicating whether and under what circumstances an order by default may be entered;

(h) If the party is an agency, corporation, partnership, limited liability company, trust, government body or an unincorporated association, a statement that the party must be represented by an attorney licensed in Oregon, unless statutes applicable to the contested case proceeding specifically provide otherwise;

(i) If the agency proposes a sanction, the sanction that the agency proposes based on the facts alleged in the notice. If the proposed sanction is not the maximum potential sanction, the agency may also state the maximum potential sanction for each violation and that the agency may impose up to the maximum potential sanction provided in the notice, without amending the notice; and,

(j) Any other information required by law.

(2) A contested case notice may include either or both of the following:

(a) A statement that the record of the proceeding to date, including information in the agency file or files on the subject of the contested case and all materials submitted by a party, automatically become part of the contested case record upon default for the purpose of proving a prima facie case;

(b) A statement that a collaborative dispute resolution process is available as an alternative to a contested case hearing, if requested within the time period stated in the notice, and that choosing such a process will not affect the right to a contested case hearing if a hearing request is received by the agency within the time period stated in the notice and the matter is not resolved through the collaborative process.

(3) The notice requirements imposed in subsections (1)(h) and (1)(i) apply to all notices issued after January 31, 2012. The notice of sanction requirement imposed in subsection (1)(i) of this rule is effective until January 31, 2014.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.413, 183.415, 183.630 & 183.675

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0510

Rights of Parties in Contested Cases

(1) The agency may request the administrative law judge to provide to each party written notice of any or all of the information required to be given under ORS 183.413(2) before the commencement of the hearing. The administrative law judge shall provide any such written notice personally or by mail.

(2) Unless otherwise precluded by law, the party and the agency, if participating in the contested case hearing, may agree to use alternative methods of dispute resolution in contested case matters. Such alternative methods of resolution may include arbitration or any collaborative method designed to encourage the agency and the parties to work together to develop a mutually agreeable solution, such as negotiation, mediation, use of a facilitator or a neutral fact-finder or settlement conferences, but may not include arbitration that is binding on the agency.

(3) Final disposition of contested cases may be by a final order following hearing or, unless precluded by law, by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or final order by default.

(4) A stipulation, agreed settlement or consent order disposing of a contested case must be in writing and signed by the party or parties. By signing such an agreement, the party or parties waive the right to a contested case hearing and to judicial review. The agency or administrative law judge shall incorporate the disposition into a final order. A copy of any final order incorporating an agreement must be delivered or mailed to each party and, if a party is represented by an attorney, to the party’s attorney.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.413, 183.415, 183.630 & 183.675

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0520

Filing and Providing Copies of Documents in Contested Case

(1) Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, a hearing request is considered filed when actually received by the agency.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by these rules, any documents filed for the record in the contested case shall be filed as follows:

(a) Before the case is referred by the agency to the Office of Administrative Hearings, with the agency;

(b) After the case is referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings and before the assigned administrative law judge issues a proposed order, with the administrative law judge;

(c) After the assigned administrative law judge issues a proposed order, with the agency, or with the administrative law judge if the administrative law judge will issue the final order or if the document is required to be filed with the administrative law judge pursuant to OAR 137-003-0650.

(3) The agency and the Office of Administrative Hearings shall refer any document to the correct entity.

(4) Filing may be accomplished by hand delivery, facsimile or mail or by any other method permitted by the agency or administrative law judge.

(5) A party or agency filing any document for the record shall at the same time provide copies of the documents to the agency and the parties, or their counsel if the agency or party is represented.

(6) The agency may by rule or in writing waive the right to receive copies of documents filed under this rule if the administrative law judge is authorized to issue the final order or if the agency is not a participant in the contested case hearing.

(7) Each party shall notify all other parties, the agency and the administrative law judge of any change in the party’s address or withdrawal or change of the party’s representatives, including legal counsel. If an attorney withdraws from representing a party, the attorney shall provide written notice of the withdrawal to the administrative law judge, all other parties and the agency, unless the agency has waived the right to receive notice.

(8) The agency shall notify all parties and the administrative law judge of any change in the agency’s address or withdrawal or change of the agency’s representatives, including legal counsel.

(9) Documents sent through the U.S. Postal Service to the agency, Office of Administrative Hearings or assigned administrative law judge shall be considered filed on the date postmarked. Documents sent by facsimile or hand-delivered are considered filed when received by the agency, Office of Administrative Hearings or assigned administrative law judge. If the agency permits or the administrative law judge directs alternative means of filing, the agency or the administrative law judge should determine when filing is effective for each alternative method permitted or directed.

(10) Documents sent through the U.S. Postal Service by regular mail are presumed to have been received by the addressee, subject to evidence to the contrary.

(11) In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by OAR 137-003-0501 through 137-003-0700, the day of the act or event from which the designated period of time begins to run shall not be included. The last day of the time period shall be included, unless it is a scheduled day of office closure, in which event the time period runs until the end of the next day that the office is open. Scheduled days of office closure include, but are not limited to, Saturdays and the legal holidays identified in ORS 187.010 and 187.020, including Sundays.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0525

Scheduling Hearings

(1) Subject to the approval of the agency, the Office of Administrative Hearings or assigned administrative law judge shall:

(a) Set the date and time of the hearing, including a postponed or continued hearing;

(b) Determine the location of the hearing; and

(c) Determine whether cases shall be consolidated or bifurcated, except that, in accordance with OAR 137-003-0560(5), emergency suspension hearings shall not be consolidated with any related agency proceedings affecting the license, unless the party agrees to the consolidation.

(2) Unless otherwise provided by law, the Office of Administrative Hearings or assigned administrative law judge may postpone or continue a hearing:

(a) For good cause; or

(b) By agreement of the parties and the agency, if the agency is participating in the hearing.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 2-2000, f. & cert. ef. 3-27-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

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.

Stat. Auth: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0530

Late Filing and Amendment of Documents

(1) Unless otherwise provided by law, when a party or agency fails to file any document for the contested case proceeding, except a hearing request, within the time specified by agency rules or these rules of procedure, the late filing may be accepted if the agency or administrative law judge determines that there was good cause for failure to file the document within the required time.

(2) The decision whether a late filing will be accepted shall be made:

(a) By the agency if OAR 137-003-0520 requires the document to be filed with the agency; or

(b) By the administrative law judge if OAR 137-003-0520 requires the document to be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings or the assigned administrative law judge.

(3) The agency or administrative law judge may require a statement explaining the reasons for the late filing.

(4) Notwithstanding any other provision of these rules, after the notice required by ORS 183.415 is issued:

(a) An agency may issue an amended notice:

(A) Before the hearing; or,

(B) During the hearing, but before the evidentiary record closes, if the administrative law judge determines that permitting the amendment will not unduly delay the proceeding or unfairly prejudice the parties.

(b) If an agency issues an amended notice, any party may obtain, upon request, a continuance determined to be reasonably necessary to respond to any new material contained in the amended notice. This subsection ((4)(b)) does not apply to implied consent proceedings conducted pursuant to ORS chapter 813. The amendments to subsection (4) of this rule apply to all notices issued after January 31, 2012.

(5) Unless otherwise provided by law, when a party or agency files any document for the contested case proceeding, the agency or the administrative law judge may permit the party or agency to file an amended document if the agency or administrative law judge determines that permitting the amendment will not unduly delay the proceeding or unfairly prejudice the parties or the agency.

(6) The decision whether an amended document will be accepted shall be made:

(a) By the agency if OAR 137-003-0520(2) requires the document to be filed with the agency; or

(b) By the administrative law judge if OAR 137-003-0520(2) requires the document to be filed with the Office of Administrative Hearings or the assigned administrative law judge.

(7) The agency or administrative law judge may require a statement explaining the reasons for the amendment.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0545

Representation of Agency by Attorney General or Agency Representative

(1) An agency may be represented at a contested case hearing by the Attorney General.

(2) An agency may be represented at a contested case hearing by an officer or employee of the agency if the Attorney General has consented to that representation in a particular hearing or class of hearings and the agency, by rule, has authorized an agency representative to appear on its behalf in the particular type of contested case hearing involved.

(3) The administrative law judge shall not allow an agency representative appearing under section (2) of this rule to present legal argument as defined in this rule.

(a) “Legal Argument” includes arguments on:

(A) The jurisdiction of the agency to hear the contested case;

(B) The constitutionality of a statute or rule or the application of a constitutional requirement to an agency;

(C) The application of court precedent to the facts of the particular contested case proceeding.

(b) “Legal Argument” does not include presentation of motions, evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses or presentation of factual arguments or arguments on:

(A) The application of the statutes or rules to the facts in the contested case;

(B) Comparison of prior actions of the agency in handling similar situations;

(C) The literal meaning of the statutes or rules directly applicable to the issues in the contested case;

(D) The admissibility of evidence; and

(E) The correctness of procedures being followed in the contested case hearing.

(4) If the administrative law judge determines that statements or objections made by an agency representative appearing under section (2) involve legal argument as defined in this rule, the administrative law judge shall provide reasonable opportunity for the agency representative to consult the Attorney General and permit the Attorney General to present argument at the hearing or to file written legal argument within a reasonable time after conclusion of the hearing.

(5) An agency representative appearing under section (2) must read and be familiar with the Code of Conduct for Non-Attorney Representatives at Administrative Hearings dated June 1, 2011, as amended October 1, 2011, which is maintained by the Oregon Department of Justice and available on its website at http://www.doj.state.or.us.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.452 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0550

Representation of Parties; Out-of-state Attorneys

(1) Natural persons who are parties in a contested case may represent themselves or may be represented by an attorney or other representative as authorized by federal or state law, including ORS 183.458.

(2) Corporations, partnerships, limited liability companies, unincorporated associations, trusts and government bodies must be represented by an attorney except as provided in OAR 137-003-0555 or as otherwise authorized by law.

(3) Unless otherwise provided by law, an out-of-state attorney may not represent a party to a contested case unless the out-of-state attorney is granted permission to appear in the matter pursuant to Oregon Uniform Trial Court Rule 3.170. Local counsel who obtained the order on behalf of the out-of-state attorney must participate meaningfully in the contested case in which the out-of-state attorney appears.

(4) Even if section (2) applies, a request for hearing will not be deemed to be invalid solely because it was not signed by a person licensed to practice law in Oregon as long as an attorney ratifies the request, in writing, within 28 days of the date that the request was received by the agency. The filing date will be determined by the date the hearing request was received, not by the ratification date. This requirement applies to hearing requests received after January 31, 2012.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 9.320, 183.341, 183.458 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0555

Authorized Representative of Parties Before Designated Agencies

(1) For purposes of this rule, the following words and phrases have the following meaning:

(a) “Agency” means State Landscape Contractors Board, Office of Energy and the Energy Facility Siting Council, Environmental Quality Commission and the Department of Environmental Quality; Insurance Division of the Department of Consumer and Business Services for proceedings in which an insured appears pursuant to ORS 737.505; the Department of Consumer and Business Services and any other agency for the purpose of proceedings to enforce the state building code, as defined by 455.010; the State Fire Marshal in the Department of State Police; Division of State Lands for proceedings regarding the issuance or denial of fill or removal permits under 196.800 to 196.990; Public Utility Commission; Water Resources Commission and the Water Resources Department; Land Conservation and Development Commission and the Department of Land Conservation and Development; State Department of Agriculture for purposes of hearings under 215.705; and the Bureau of Labor and Industries.

(b) “Authorized Representative” means a member of a partnership, an authorized officer or regular employee of a corporation, association or organized group, an authorized officer or employee of a governmental authority other than a state agency or other authorized representatives recognized by state or federal law;

(c) “Legal Argument” includes arguments on:

(A) The jurisdiction of the agency to hear the contested case;

(B) The constitutionality of a statute or rule or the application of a constitutional requirement to an agency;

(C) The application of court precedent to the facts of the particular contested case proceeding.

(d) “Legal Argument” does not include presentation of motions, evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses or presentation of factual arguments or arguments on:

(A) The application of the statutes or rules to the facts in the contested case;

(B) Comparison of prior actions of the agency in handling similar situations;

(C) The literal meaning of the statutes or rules directly applicable to the issues in the contested case;

(D) The admissibility of evidence; and

(E) The correctness of procedures being followed in the contested case hearing.

(2) A party or limited party participating in a contested case hearing before an agency listed in subsection (1)(a) of this rule may be represented by an authorized representative as provided in this rule if the agency has by rule specified that authorized representatives may appear in the type of contested case hearing involved.

(3) Before appearing in the case, an authorized representative must provide the administrative law judge with written authorization for the named representative to appear on behalf of a party or limited party.

(4) The administrative law judge may limit an authorized representative’s presentation of evidence, examination and cross-examination of witnesses, or presentation of factual arguments to insure the orderly and timely development of the hearing records, and shall not allow an authorized representative to present legal argument as defined in subsection (1)(c) of this rule.

(5) When an authorized representative is representing a party or limited party in a hearing, the administrative law judge shall advise such representative of the manner in which objections may be made and matters preserved for appeal. Such advice is of a procedural nature and does not change applicable law on waiver or the duty to make timely objection. Where such objections may involve legal argument as defined in this rule, the administrative law judge shall provide reasonable opportunity for the authorized representative to consult legal counsel and permit such legal counsel to file written legal argument within a reasonable time after conclusion of the hearing.

(6) An authorized representative must read and be familiar with the Code of Conduct for Non-Attorney Representatives at Administrative Hearings dated June 1, 2011, as amended October 1, 2011, which is maintained by the Oregon Department of Justice and available on its website at http://www.doj.state.or.us.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.457 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0560

Emergency License Suspension, Refusal to Renew

(1) If the agency finds there is a serious danger to the public health or safety, it may, by order, immediately suspend or refuse to renew a license. For purposes of this rule, such an order is referred to as an emergency suspension order. An emergency suspension order must be in writing. It may be issued without prior notice to the licensee and without a hearing prior to the emergency suspension order.

(2)(a) When the agency issues an emergency suspension order, the agency shall serve the order on the licensee either personally or by registered or certified mail;

(b) The order shall include the following statements:

(A) The effective date of the emergency suspension order;

(B) Findings of the specific acts or omissions of the licensee that violate applicable laws and rules and are the grounds for revocation, suspension or refusal to renew the license in the underlying proceeding affecting the license;

(C) The reasons the specified acts or omissions seriously endanger the public’s health or safety;

(D) A reference to the sections of the statutes and rules involved;

(E) That the licensee has the right to demand a hearing to be held as soon as practicable to contest the emergency suspension order; and

(F) That if the demand for hearing is not received by the agency within 90 calendar days of the date of notice of the emergency suspension order the licensee shall have waived its right to a hearing regarding the emergency suspension order.

(3) If the licensee files a timely request, the matter shall be referred to the Office of Administrative Hearings, the hearing on an emergency suspension held, and the order issued as soon as practicable, and, unless a delay is explained in the final order as required by subsection (7) of this rule, in no event later than:

(a) Within seven calendar days of receiving a timely request for hearing, the agency shall refer the matter to the Office of Administrative Hearings to hold a hearing on the emergency suspension order;

(b) Within 30 calendar days of receiving a referral for a hearing on an emergency suspension order, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall complete the hearing and close the evidentiary record;

(c) Within 15 calendar days of the close of the evidentiary record in the hearing, the Office of Administrative Hearings shall issue a proposed order or a final order, if the agency has delegated authority to issue a final order;

(d) Within 15 calendar days of receiving a proposed order from the Office of Administrative Hearings, the agency shall issue a final order.

(4) The time limits established in section (3) of this rule may be waived or extended with the agreement of the agency and the licensee.

(5) The hearing on the emergency suspension order may be combined with any related agency proceeding affecting the license only with the agreement of the party.

(6) At the hearing regarding the emergency suspension order, the administrative law judge shall consider the facts and circumstances including, but not limited to:

(a) Whether the acts or omissions of the licensee pose a serious danger to the public health or safety; and

(b) Whether circumstances at the time of the hearing justify confirmation, alteration or revocation of the order.

(7) The administrative law judge shall issue a proposed order consistent with OAR 137-003-0645 unless the administrative law judge has authority to issue a final order without first issuing a proposed order. Any proposed order shall contain a recommendation whether the emergency suspension order should be confirmed, altered or revoked. The final order shall be consistent with 137-003-0665 and shall be based upon the criteria in section (6) of this rule. If any of the deadlines specified in section (3) of this rule are not met, the final order shall state the reason.

(8) The amendments to this rule apply to all emergency suspension orders issued after January 31, 2012.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, ORS 183.430 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0566

Discovery in Contested Case Hearing — Methods

(1) Before the hearing, upon request by the agency or by a party, the agency and each party must provide:

(a) The names, telephone numbers, and addresses of witnesses expected to testify at the hearing, except rebuttal witnesses;

(b) Documents that the party or agency plans to offer as evidence;

(c) Objects for inspection, if the party or agency plans to offer the objects as evidence:

(d) Responses to no more than 20 requests for admission (each subpart to count as a separate request) unless otherwise authorized, limited, or prohibited by the administrative law judge; and,

(e) Responses to no more than 20 written interrogatories (each subpart to count as a separate interrogatory), unless otherwise authorized, limited, or prohibited by the administrative law judge.

(2) An agency may provide by rule that some or all discovery methods under this section do not apply to a specified program or category of cases if: it finds that the availability of discovery would unduly complicate or interfere with the hearing process in the program or cases, because of the volume of the applicable caseload and the need for speed and informality in that process, and that alternative procedures for the sharing of relevant information are sufficient to ensure the fundamental fairness of the proceedings.

(3) An agency may, by rule, limit a party’s ability to obtain discovery from the agency when the agency merely is providing a forum for the parties and is not an active participant in the case.

(4) This rule is not intended to limit or otherwise conflict with a party’s statutory right to obtain public records upon request. If a party knows or expects that a public record request relates to the proceeding, the party shall provide a copy of the public record request to the attorney or representative for the agency at the time the request is made.

(5) This rule is not intended to limit or otherwise conflict with the statutory authority, if any, of the agency to investigate.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; Renumbered from 137-003-0570 by DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0567

Discovery in Contested Case Hearing — Standard

Any discovery request must be reasonably likely to produce information that is generally relevant and necessary to the case, or is likely to facilitate resolution of the case.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; Renumbered from 137-003-0570 by DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0568

Discovery in Contested Case Hearing — Procedure

(1) Before filing a motion for an order requiring discovery, a party or the agency must make a good faith effort to obtain the information from the party, agency or person who has the information, unless the effort would pose a risk to any person or would be futile.

(2) A motion for an order requiring discovery should be filed with and decided by the agency or the administrative law judge, as required by OAR 137-003-0520(2) and 137-003-0630.

(3) Any party seeking an order from the administrative law judge requiring discovery shall send a copy of the motion to the agency, unless the agency has waived notice, and to all other parties. If the agency seeks an order requiring discovery, the agency shall send a copy of the motion to all parties. A request for an order requiring discovery must include a description of the attempts to obtain the requested discovery informally, or an explanation why no such attempt was made, and an explanation of how the discovery is likely to produce information that is generally relevant and necessary to the case.

(4) The agency or the administrative law judge may authorize the requested discovery if the agency or the administrative law judge determines that the requested discovery is reasonably likely to produce information that is generally relevant to the case and necessary or likely to facilitate resolution of the case. Upon request of a party, a witness, or the agency, the agency or the administrative law judge may deny, limit, or condition discovery to protect any party, any witness, or the agency from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, undue burden or expense, or to limit the public disclosure of information that is confidential or privileged by statute or rule. In making a decision, the agency or administrative law judge shall consider any objections by the party, the witness or the agency from whom the discovery is sought.

(5) If the agency or the administrative law judge authorizes discovery, the agency or the administrative law judge shall control the methods, timing and extent of discovery. Upon request of a party or the agency, the administrative law judge or the agency may issue a protective order limiting the public disclosure of information that is confidential or privileged by law.

(6) Only the agency may issue subpoenas in support of a discovery order. The agency or the party requesting the discovery may apply to the circuit court to compel obedience to a subpoena. (Subpoenas for attendance of witnesses or production of documents at the hearing are controlled by OAR 137-003-0585.)

(7) A party or agency dissatisfied with an administrative law judge’s discovery order may ask the Chief Administrative Law Judge for immediate review of the order. A request for review by the Chief Administrative Law Judge must be made in writing within 10 days of the date of the discovery order. The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall review the order and independently apply the criteria set out in OAR 137-003-0567. The Chief Administrative Law Judge’s order shall be in writing and shall explain any significant changes to the discovery order.

(8) The Chief Administrative Law Judge or the agency may designate in writing a person to exercise their respective responsibilities under this rule.

(9) In addition to or in lieu of any other discovery method, a party may ask an agency for records under the Public Records Law. The party making a public records request of the agency before which the contested case is pending should serve a copy of the public records request upon the agency representative or the attorney representing the agency.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; Renumbered from 137-003-0570 by DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0569

Discovery in Contested Case Hearing — Enforcement

(1) The administrative law judge may refuse to admit evidence that was not disclosed in response to a discovery order or discovery request, unless the party or agency that failed to provide discovery offers a satisfactory reason for having failed to do so, or unless excluding the evidence would violate the duty to conduct a full and fair inquiry under ORS 183.417(8). If the administrative law judge admits evidence that was not disclosed as ordered or requested, the administrative law judge must, upon request, grant a continuance to allow an opportunity for the agency or other party to respond to the undisclosed evidence. The requirement to grant continuances shall not apply in implied consent proceedings conducted pursuant to ORS chapter 813.

(2) Failure to respond to a request for admissions required by a discovery order shall be deemed an admission of matters that are the subject of the request for admissions, unless the party or agency failing to respond offers a satisfactory reason for having failed to do so, or unless excluding additional evidence on the subject of the request for admissions would violate the duty to conduct a full and fair inquiry under ORS 183.417(8). If the administrative law judge does not treat failure to respond to the request for admissions as admissions, the administrative law judge may grant a continuance to enable the parties and the agency to develop the record as needed.

(3) Nothing in OAR chapter 137, division 3, shall be construed to require the agency or any party to provide information that is confidential or privileged under state or federal law, except that upon request the agency or any party must disclose all documents that the agency or party intends to introduce at the hearing.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; Renumbered from 137-003-0570 by DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0575

Prehearing Conferences

(1) Prior to hearing, the administrative law judge may conduct one or more prehearing conferences to facilitate the conduct and resolution of the case. The administrative law judge may convene the conference on the initiative of the administrative law judge or at the agency’s or a party’s request.

(2) Prior to the conference, the administrative law judge shall notify the party and the agency, if participating, of the purposes of the conference and the matters to be considered. The agency or any party may request that additional matters be considered at the conference by providing notice in writing to the administrative law judge, the parties and the agency.

(3) The party and the agency, if participating in the contested case hearing, shall appear at a prehearing conference through legal counsel or through persons authorized to represent the party or the agency in the contested case hearing.

(4) The purposes of a prehearing conference may include, but are not limited to the following:

(a) To facilitate discovery and to resolve disagreements about discovery;

(b) To identify, simplify and clarify issues;

(c) To eliminate irrelevant or immaterial issues;

(d) To obtain stipulations of fact and to admit documents into evidence;

(e) To provide to the administrative law judge, agency and parties, in advance of the hearing, copies of all documents intended to be offered as evidence at the hearing and the names of all witnesses expected to testify;

(f) To authenticate documents;

(g) To decide the order of proof and other procedural matters pertaining to the conduct of the hearing;

(h) To assist in identifying whether the case might be appropriate for settlement or for a collaborative dispute resolution process and, if the agency agrees that the case is appropriate, to refer the case to the agency for settlement discussions or for exploration or initiation of a collaborative dispute resolution process;

(i) To schedule the date, time and location of the hearing or for any other matters connected with the hearing, including dates for pre-filed testimony and exhibits and exchange of exhibits and witness lists; and

(j) To consider any other matters that may expedite the orderly conduct of the proceeding.

(5) The prehearing conference may be conducted in person or by telephone.

(6) The failure of a party or the agency to appear at a prehearing conference convened by the administrative law judge shall not preclude the administrative law judge from making rulings on any matters identified by the administrative law judge in the notice issued under section (2) of this rule, and discussion of any of these matters at the conference in the absence of the agency or a party notified of the conference does not constitute an ex parte communication with the administrative law judge.

(7) The administrative law judge conducting the prehearing conference must make a record of any stipulations, rulings and agreements. The administrative law judge shall either make an audio or stenographic record of the pertinent portions of the conference or shall place the substance of stipulations, rulings and agreements in the record by written summary. Stipulations to facts and to the authenticity of documents and agreements to narrow issues shall be binding upon the agency and the parties to the stipulation unless good cause is shown for rescinding a stipulation or agreement.

(8) After the hearing begins, the administrative law judge may at any time recess the hearing to discuss any of the matters listed in section (4) of this rule.

(9) Nothing in this rule precludes the agency and parties from engaging in informal discussions of any of the matters listed in section (4) of this rule without the participation of the administrative law judge. Any agreement reached in an informal discussion shall be submitted to the administrative law judge in writing or presented orally on the record at the hearing.

(10) An agency may adopt rules regarding the exchange of exhibits and a list of witnesses before the hearing for cases where there are no prehearing conferences.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341 & 183.502

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.502 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0580

Motion for Summary Determination

(1) Not less than 28 calendar days before the date set for hearing, the agency or a party may file a motion requesting a ruling in favor of the agency or party on any or all legal issues (including claims and defenses) in the contested case. The motion, accompanied by any affidavits or other supporting documents, shall be served on the agency and parties in the manner required by OAR 137-003-0520.

(2) Within 14 calendar days after service of the motion, the agency or a party may file a response to the motion. The response may be accompanied by affidavits or other supporting documents and shall be served on the agency and parties in the manner required by OAR 137-003-0520.

(3) The administrative law judge may establish longer or shorter periods than those under section (1) and (2) of this rule for the filing of motions and responses.

(4) The agency by rule may elect not to make available this process for summary determination.

(5) The party and the agency may stipulate to a record, including a record limited to documents, upon which a summary determination shall be made.

(6) The administrative law judge shall grant the motion for a summary determination if:

(a) The pleadings, affidavits, supporting documents (including any interrogatories and admissions) and the record in the contested case show that there is no genuine issue as to any material fact that is relevant to resolution of the legal issue as to which a decision is sought; and

(b) The agency or party filing the motion is entitled to a favorable ruling as a matter of law.

(7) The administrative law judge shall consider all evidence in a manner most favorable to the non-moving party or non-moving agency.

(8) Each party or the agency has the burden of producing evidence on any issue relevant to the motion as to which that party or the agency would have the burden of persuasion at the contested case hearing.

(9) A party or the agency may satisfy the burden of producing evidence through affidavits. Affidavits shall be made on personal knowledge, establish that the affiant is competent to testify to the matters stated therein and contain facts that would be admissible at the hearing.

(10) When a motion for summary determination is made and supported as provided in this rule, a non-moving party or non-moving agency may not rest upon the mere allegations or denials contained in that party’s or agency’s notice or answer, if any. When a motion for summary determination is made and supported as provided in this rule, the administrative law judge or the agency must explain the requirements for filing a response to any unrepresented party or parties.

(11) The administrative law judge’s ruling may be rendered on a single issue and need not resolve all issues in the contested case.

(12) If the administrative law judge’s ruling on the motion resolves all issues in the contested case, the administrative law judge shall issue a proposed order in accordance with OAR 137-003-0645 incorporating that ruling or a final order in accordance with 137-003-0665 if the administrative law judge has authority to issue a final order without first issuing a proposed order.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0600

Conducting the Contested Case Hearing

(1) The contested case hearing shall be conducted by and under the control of the administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings.

(2) If the administrative law judge has an actual or potential conflict of interest as defined in ORS 244.020(1) or (12), that administrative law judge shall comply with the requirements of ORS Chapter 244 (e.g., 244.120 and 244.130).

(3) At the commencement of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall explain the issues involved in the hearing and the matters that the parties must either prove or disprove.

(4) The hearing shall be conducted so as to include the following:

(a) The statement and evidence of the proponent in support of its action;

(b) The statement and evidence of opponents, interested agencies, and other parties; except that limited parties may address only subjects within the area to which they have been limited;

(c) Any rebuttal evidence; and

(d) Any closing arguments.

(5) The administrative law judge, the agency through an agency representative or assistant attorney general, interested agencies through an assistant attorney general, and parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives shall have the right to question witnesses. However, limited parties may question only those witnesses whose testimony may relate to the area or areas of participation granted by the agency.

(6) The hearing may be continued with recesses as determined by the administrative law judge.

(7) The administrative law judge may set reasonable time limits for oral presentation and may exclude or limit cumulative, repetitious, irrelevant or immaterial matter.

(8) Exhibits shall be marked and maintained by the administrative law judge as part of the record of the proceedings.

(9) If the administrative law judge receives any written or oral ex parte communication during the contested case proceeding, the administrative law judge shall notify all parties and otherwise comply with the requirements of OAR 137-003-0625.

(10) The administrative law judge may request that any closing arguments be submitted in writing or orally.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.417(9) and (10), 183.450(3), 183.630 & 183.695

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0605

Telephone Hearings

(1) Unless precluded by law, the administrative law judge may hold a hearing or portion of a hearing by telephone and may permit a party or witness to appear at a hearing by telephone.

(2) If a hearing is to be held by telephone, each party and the agency, if participating in the contested case hearing, shall provide, before the commencement of the hearing, to all other parties, to the agency and to the administrative law judge copies of the exhibits it intends to offer into evidence at the hearing.

(3) If a witness is to testify by telephone, the party or agency that intends to call the witness shall provide, before commencement of the hearing, to the witness, to the other parties, to the agency, if participating in the contested case hearing, and to the administrative law judge a copy of each document about which the witness will be questioned.

(4) Nothing in this rule precludes any party or the agency from seeking to introduce documentary evidence in addition to evidence described in section (2) during the telephone hearing. The administrative law judge shall receive such evidence, subject to the applicable rules of evidence, if inclusion of the evidence in the record is necessary to conduct a full and fair hearing. If any evidence introduced during the hearing has not previously been provided to the agency and to the other parties, the hearing must be continued upon the request of any party or the agency for sufficient time to allow the party or the agency to obtain and review the evidence.

(5) The administrative law judge shall make an audio or stenographic record of any telephone hearing.

(6) As used in this rule, “telephone” means any two-way or multi-party electronic communication device, including video conferencing.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0625

Ex Parte Communications with Administrative Law Judge

(1) For purposes of this rule, an ex parte communication is:

(a) An oral or written communication;

(b) By a party, a party’s representative or legal adviser, any other person who has a direct or indirect interest in the outcome of the proceeding, any other person with personal knowledge of the facts relevant to the proceeding, or any officer, employee or agent of the agency;

(c) That relates to a legal or factual issue in the contested case proceeding;

(d) Made directly or indirectly to the administrative law judge;

(e) While the contested case proceeding is pending;

(f) That is made without notice and opportunity for the agency and all parties to participate in the communication.

(2) If an administrative law judge receives an ex parte communication during the pendency of the contested case proceeding, the administrative law judge shall place in the record:

(a) The name of each individual from whom the administrative law judge received an ex parte communication;

(b) A copy of any ex parte written communication received by the administrative law judge;

(c) A memorandum reflecting the substance of any ex parte oral communication made to the administrative law judge;

(d) A copy of any written response made by the administrative law judge to any ex parte oral or written communication; and

(e) A memorandum reflecting the substance of any oral response made by the administrative law judge to any ex parte oral or written communication.

(3) The administrative law judge shall advise the agency and all parties in the proceeding that an ex parte communication has been made a part of the record. The administrative law judge shall allow the agency and parties an opportunity to respond to the ex parte communication. Any responses shall be made part of the record.

(4) The provisions of this rule do not apply to:

(a) Communications made to an administrative law judge by other administrative law judges; or

(b) Communications made to an administrative law judge by any person employed by the Office of Administrative Hearings to assist the administrative law judge.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.630, 183.685 & Or Laws 2009, ch 866 § 9

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0635

Transmittal of Questions to the Agency

(1) Questions regarding the following issues may be transmitted to the agency:

(a) The agency’s interpretation of its rules and applicable statutes; or

(b) Which rules or statutes apply to a proceeding.

(2) At the request of a party, the agency, or their representatives, or on the administrative law judge’s own motion, the administrative law judge may transmit a question to the agency unless the agency by rule or in writing elects not to make available this process for transmittal of questions to the agency.

(3) The administrative law judge shall submit any transmitted question in writing to the agency. The submission shall include a summary of the matter in which the question arises and shall be served on the agency representative and parties in the manner required by OAR 137-003-0520.

(4) The agency may request additional submissions by a party or the administrative law judge in order to respond to the transmitted question.

(5) Unless prohibited by statute or administrative rules governing the timing of hearings, the administrative law judge may stay the proceeding and shall not issue the proposed order or the final order, if the administrative law judge has authority to issue the final order, until the agency responds to the transmitted question.

(6) The agency shall respond in writing to the transmitted question within a reasonable time. The agency’s response must be signed by a person with authority to speak on the question transmitted.

(7) The agency’s response shall be made a part of the record of the contested case hearing. The agency’s response may be to decline to answer the transmitted question. The agency shall provide its response to the administrative law judge and to each party. The parties may reply to the agency’s response within a reasonable time.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 12-2007, f. 10-30-07, cert. ef. 11-2-07; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0640

Immediate Review by Chief Administrative Law Judge

(1) Before issuance of a proposed order or before issuance of a final order if the administrative law judge has authority to issue a final order, the agency or a party may seek immediate review by the Chief Administrative Law Judge of the administrative law judge’s decision on any of the following:

(a) A ruling on a motion to quash a subpoena under OAR 137-003-0585;

(b) A ruling refusing to consider as evidence judicially or officially noticed facts presented by the agency under OAR 137-003-0615 that is not rebutted by a party;

(c) A ruling on the admission or exclusion of evidence based on a claim of the existence or non-existence of a privilege.

(2) The agency by rule or in writing may elect not to make available this process of immediate review by the Chief Administrative Law Judge.

(3) The agency or a party may file a response to the request for immediate review. The response shall be in writing and shall be filed with the Chief Administrative Law Judge within five calendar days after receipt of the request for review with service on the administrative law judge, the agency representative, if any, and any other party.

(4) The mere filing or pendency of a request for the Chief Administrative Law Judge’s immediate review, even if uncontested, does not alter or extend any time limit or deadline established by statute, rule, or order.

(5) The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall rule on all requests for immediate review in writing.

(6) The request and ruling shall be made part of the record of the proceeding.

(7) The Chief Administrative Law Judge may designate in writing a person to exercise his or her responsibilities under this rule.

(8) Beginning February 1, 2014, agencies, rather than the Chief Administrative Law Judge, will be responsible for providing the immediate review set out in this rule.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0645

Proposed Orders in Contested Cases

(1) Unless the administrative law judge is authorized or required to issue a final order without first issuing a proposed order, the administrative law judge shall prepare a proposed order.

(2) The proposed order shall be based exclusively on:

(a) The pleadings, including the contested case notice, and motions;

(b) The applicable law;

(c) Evidence and arguments;

(d) Stipulations;

(e) Ex parte written communications received by the administrative law judge, memoranda prepared by the administrative law judge reflecting the substance of any ex parte oral communications made to the administrative law judge, written responses made by the administrative law judge and any memoranda prepared by the administrative law judge reflecting the substance of any oral responses made by the administrative law judge;

(f) Judicially cognizable facts and matters officially noticed;

(g) Proposed findings of fact and written argument submitted by a party or the agency;

(h) Intermediate orders or rulings by the administrative law judge or Chief Administrative Law Judge; and

(i) Any other material made part of the record of the hearing.

(3) The proposed order shall fully dispose of all issues presented to the administrative law judge that are required to resolve the case. The proposed order shall be in writing and shall include:

(a) The case caption;

(b) The name of the administrative law judge(s), the appearances of the parties and identity of witnesses;

(c) A statement of the issues;

(d) References to specific statutes or rules at issue;

(e) Rulings on issues presented to the administrative law judge, such as admissibility of offered evidence, when the rulings are not set forth in the record;

(f) Findings as to each issue of fact and as to each ultimate fact required to support the proposed order, along with a statement of the underlying facts supporting each finding;

(g) Conclusions of law based on the findings of fact and applicable law;

(h) An explanation of the reasoning that leads from the findings of fact to the legal conclusion(s);

(i) The action the administrative law judge recommends the agency take as a result of the facts found and the legal conclusions arising there from; and

(j) The name of the administrative law judge who prepared the proposed order and the date the order was issued.

(4) The agency by rule may provide that the proposed order will become a final order if no exceptions are filed within the time specified in the agency rule unless the agency notifies the parties and the administrative law judge that the agency will issue the final order. If the agency adopts such a rule, the proposed order shall include a statement to this effect.

(5) If the recommended action in the proposed order is adverse to any party, the proposed order shall also include a statement that the party may file exceptions and present argument to the agency or, if authorized to issue the final order, to the administrative law judge. The proposed order shall include information provided by the agency as to:

(a) Where and when written exceptions must be filed to be considered by the agency; and

(b) When and in what form argument may be made to the official(s) who will render the final order.

(6) The administrative law judge shall serve the proposed order on the agency and each party.

(7) The proposed order shall include a certificate of service, documenting the date the proposed order was served on the agency and each party.

(8) The administrative law judge shall transmit the hearing record to the agency when the proposed order is served or, if the administrative law judge has authority to issue a final order, when the final order is served.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.460, 183.464, 183.630 & 183.685

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0655

Further Hearing and Issuance of Final Order

(1) After issuance of the proposed order, if any, the administrative law judge shall not hold any further hearing or revise or amend the proposed order except at the request of the agency, except as provided in this subsection. The administrative law judge may withdraw a proposed order for correction within three working days of issuance of the proposed order. If the administrative law judge withdraws a proposed order for correction, the time for filing exceptions shall begin on the date the administrative law judge issues the corrected proposed order.

(2) If the agency requests the administrative law judge to conduct a further hearing under section (1) of this rule, the agency shall specify the scope of the hearing and the issues to be addressed. After further hearing, the administrative law judge shall issue a proposed order.

(3) If the administrative law judge’s proposed order recommended a decision favorable to a party and the agency intends to reject that recommendation and issue an order adverse to that party, the agency shall issue an amended proposed order if:

(a) The official(s) who are to render the final order have not considered the record; or

(b) The changes to the proposed order are not within the scope of any exceptions or agency comment to which there was an opportunity to respond.

(4) Any amended proposed order issued under section (3) of this rule shall comply with OAR 137-003-0665(3) and (4) and shall include a statement that the party may file exceptions and present argument to the agency. The agency shall serve the amended proposed order on each party to the contested case proceeding.

(5) The agency or, if authorized to issue a final order, administrative law judge shall consider any timely exceptions and argument before issuing a final order. If exceptions are received, the agency or the administrative law judge may not consider new or additional evidence unless the agency requests the administrative law judge to conduct further hearings under section (1) of this rule. The agency or administrative law judge may issue an amended proposed order in light of any exceptions or argument.

(6) The agency or, if authorized, the administrative law judge shall issue a final order in accordance with OAR 137-003-0665. The agency may adopt the proposed order as the final order, or modify the proposed order and issue the modified order as the final order.

(7) An agency should issue an amended proposed order or a final order within 90 days of the date of the proposed order. When an agency will not issue an amended proposed order or final order within 90 days of the proposed order, the agency shall give written notice to the administrative law judge and all parties of the date by which the agency expects to issue the amended proposed order or the final order. This rule does not apply to proceedings under ORS chapters 539 and 537.670 through 537.700. An agency may adopt a rule exempting classes of cases from the requirements of this subsection upon the agency’s determination that, due to the nature of the cases, 90 days normally is an insufficient time in which to issue an amended proposed or final order. The requirements of this subsection apply to all orders for which the proposed order is issued after January 31, 2012.

(8) If an agency decision maker has an actual or potential conflict of interest as defined in ORS 244.020(1) or (7), that decision maker shall comply with the requirements of ORS Chapter 244, including but not limited to 244.120 and 244.130.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 7-2003, f. 7-11-03, cert. ef. 7-21-03; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0665

Final Orders in Contested Cases

(1) Final orders in contested cases shall be in writing.

(2) Except as provided in section (5) of this rule, all final orders in contested cases shall include the following:

(a) Each of the elements identified in OAR 137-003-0645(3)(a)–(h),

(b) An Order stating the action taken by the agency as a result of the facts found and the legal conclusions arising there from; and

(c) A citation of the statutes under which the order may be appealed.

(3) If the agency modifies the proposed order issued by the administrative law judge in any substantial manner, the agency must identify the modification and explain to the parties why the agency made the modification. For purposes of this provision, an agency modifies a proposed order in a “substantial manner” when the effect of the modification is to change the outcome or the basis for the order or to change a finding of fact.

(4) The agency may modify a finding of historical fact made by the administrative law judge only if the agency determines that there is clear and convincing evidence in the record that the finding made by the administrative law judge was wrong. For purposes of this provision, an administrative law judge makes a finding of historical fact if the administrative law judge determines that an event did or did not occur in the past or that a circumstance or status did or did not exist either before the hearing or at the time of the hearing.

(5) When informal disposition of a contested case is made by stipulation, agreed settlement or consent order as provided in OAR 137-003-0510(4), the final order need not comply with section (2) of this rule. However, the order must state the agency action and:

(a) Incorporate by reference a stipulation or agreed settlement signed by the party or parties agreeing to that action; or

(b) Be signed by the party or parties; and

(c) A copy must be delivered or mailed to each party and the attorney of record for each party that is represented.

(6) The final order shall be served on each party and, if the party is represented, on the party’s attorney.

(7) The date of service of the final order on the parties or, if a party is represented, on the party’s attorney shall be specified in writing and be part of or be attached to the order on file with the agency, unless service of the final order is not required by statute.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.417(3), 183.470, 183.630, 183.650(3) & Or Laws 2009, ch 866, § 7

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0670

Default in Cases Involving a Notice of Proposed Action that Does Not Become Final Without a Hearing or Default

(1) This rule applies when the agency issues a notice of proposed action that does not become final in the absence of a request for hearing. The agency or, if authorized, the administrative law judge may issue a final order by default:

(a) When the agency gave a party an opportunity to request a hearing and the party failed to request a hearing within the time allowed to make the request;

(b) When the party that requested a hearing withdraws the request;

(c) Except as provided in section (2) of this rule, when the agency or administrative law judge notified the party of the time and place of the hearing and the party fails to appear at the hearing; or

(d) When the agency or administrative law judge notified the party of the time and place of the hearing in a matter in which only one party is before the agency and that party subsequently notifies the agency or administrative law judge that the party will not appear at the hearing, unless the agency or administrative law judge agreed to reschedule the hearing.

(2) If the party failed to appear at the hearing and, before issuing a final order by default, the agency or administrative law judge finds that the party had good cause for not appearing, the agency or administrative law judge may not issue a final order by default under section (1)(c) of this rule. In this case, the administrative law judge shall schedule a new hearing. If the reasons for the party’s failure to appear are in dispute, the administrative law judge shall schedule a hearing on the reasons for the party’s failure to appear.

(3)(a) An agency or administrative law judge may issue an order adverse to a party upon default under section (1) of this rule only upon a prima facie case made on the record. The agency or administrative law judge must find that the record contains evidence that persuades the agency or administrative law judge of the existence of facts necessary to support the order.

(b) Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, if the agency designated the agency file in a matter as the record when a contested case notice for the matter was issued in accordance with OAR 137-003-0505 and no further testimony or evidence is necessary to establish a prima facie case, the agency file, including all materials submitted by a party, shall constitute the record. No hearing shall be conducted. The agency or, if authorized, the administrative law judge shall issue a final order by default under section (1) of this rule in accordance with 137-003-0665.

(c) If the agency determines that testimony or evidence is necessary to establish a prima facie case or if more than one party is before the agency and one party appears at the hearing, the administrative law judge shall conduct a hearing and, unless authorized to issue a final order without first issuing a proposed order, the administrative law judge shall issue a proposed order in accordance with OAR 137-003-0645. The agency or, if authorized, the administrative law judge shall issue a final order by default in accordance with 137-003-0665.

(4) The agency or administrative law judge shall notify a defaulting party of the entry of a final order by default by delivering or mailing a copy of the order.

(5) If a final order by default is entered because a party did not request a hearing within the time specified by the agency, the party may make a late hearing request as provided in OAR 137-003-0528.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.417(4), 183.450, 183.470 & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0672

Default in Cases Involving an Agency Order that May Become Final Without a Request for Hearing

(1) This rule applies when the agency has issued a contested case notice containing an order that was to become effective unless a party requested a hearing, has designated the agency file, including all materials submitted by a party, as the record, and the record constitutes a prima facie case.

(2) When the agency gives a party an opportunity to request a hearing and the party fails to request a hearing within the time allowed to make the request, the agency order is final and no further order need be served upon the party. The party may make a late hearing request as provided in OAR 137-003-0528.

(3) After a party requests a hearing, the agency or the administrative law judge will dismiss the request for hearing, and the agency order is final as if the party never requested a hearing if:

(a) The party that requested a hearing withdraws the request;

(b) The agency or administrative law judge notifies the party of the time and place of the hearing and the party fails to appear at the hearing; or

(c) In a matter in which only one party is before the agency, the agency or administrative law judge notifies the party of the time and place of the hearing, and the party notifies the agency or administrative law judge that the party will not appear at the hearing, unless the agency or administrative law judge agrees to reschedule the hearing.

(4) If the party fails to appear at the hearing and, before dismissing the request for hearing, the administrative law judge finds that the party had good cause for failing to appear, the administrative law judge may not dismiss the request for hearing under section (3)(b) of this rule. In this case, the administrative law judge shall schedule a new hearing. If the reasons for the party’s failure to appear are in dispute, the administrative law judge shall schedule a hearing on the reasons for the party’s failure to appear.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341, 183.417(4) 183.470, & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 9-2007, f. 10-15-07 cert. ef. 1-1-08; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

137-003-0690

Stay Request — Contested Case

(1) Unless otherwise provided by law, any person who submits a hearing request after a final order by default has been issued or petitions for reconsideration, rehearing or judicial review may request the agency to stay the enforcement of the agency order that is the subject of the petition.

(2) The agency may, by rule or in writing, require the stay request to be filed with the administrative law judge.

(3) The stay request shall contain:

(a) The name, address and telephone number of the person filing the request and of that person’s attorney or representative, if any;

(b) The full title of the agency decision as it appears on the order and the date of the agency decision;

(c) A summary of the agency decision;

(d) The name, address and telephone number of each other party to the agency proceeding. When the party was represented by an attorney or representative in the proceeding, then the name, address and telephone number of the attorney or representative shall be provided and the address and telephone number of the party may be omitted;

(e) A statement advising all persons whose names, addresses and telephone numbers are required to appear in the stay request as provided in subsection (3)(d) of this rule, that they may participate in the stay proceeding before the agency if they file a response in accordance with OAR 137-003-0695 within ten calendar days from delivery or mailing of the stay request to the agency;

(f) A statement of facts and reasons sufficient to show that:

(A) The petitioner will suffer irreparable injury if the order is not stayed; and,

(B) There is a colorable claim of error in the order;

(g) A statement explaining why granting the stay will not result in substantial public harm;

(h) A statement identifying any person, including the public, who may suffer injury if the stay is granted. If the purposes of the stay can be achieved with limitations or conditions that minimize or eliminate possible injury to other persons, petitioner shall propose such limitations or conditions. If the possibility of injury to other persons cannot be eliminated or minimized by appropriate limitation or conditions, petitioner shall propose an amount of bond, irrevocable letter of credit or other undertaking to be imposed on the petitioner should the stay be granted, explaining why that amount is reasonable in light of the identified potential injuries;

(i) A description of additional procedures, if any, the petitioner believes should be followed by the agency in determining the appropriateness of the stay request; and

(j) An appendix of affidavits containing evidence (other than evidence contained in the record of the contested case out of which the stay request arose) relied upon in support of the statements required under subsections (3)(f), (g) and (h) of this rule. The record of the contested case out of which the stay request arose is a part of the record of the stay proceedings.

(4) The request must be delivered or mailed to the agency and on the same date a copy delivered or mailed to all parties identified in the request as required by subsection (3)(d) of this rule.

Stat. Auth.: ORS 183.341

Stats. Implemented: ORS 183.341,183.482(3) & 183.630

Hist.: DOJ 10-1999, f. 12-23-99, cert. ef. 1-1-00; DOJ 9-2001, f. & cert. ef. 10-3-01; DOJ 19-2003, f. 12-12-03, cert. ef. 1-1-04; DOJ 11-2005, f. 10-31-05, cert. ef. 1-1-06; DOJ 1-2012, f. 1-11-12, cert. ef. 1-31-12

Notes
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