11—7.2(8A,17A) Definitions.

Except where otherwise specifically defined by law:

“Administrative law judge (ALJ)” means an employee of the administrative hearings division of the department of inspections and appeals who presides over contested cases and other proceedings.

“Contested case” means a proceeding defined by Iowa Code section 17A.2(5) and includes any matter defined as a no factual dispute contested case under Iowa Code section 17A.10A.

“Department” means the department of administrative services (DAS).

“Director” means the director of the department of administrative services or the director’s designee.

“Division” means the division of administrative hearings of the department of inspections and appeals (DIA).

“Ex parte” means a communication, oral or written, to the presiding officer or other decision maker in a contested case without notice and an opportunity for all parties to participate.

“Filing” is defined in subrule 7.12(4) except where otherwise specifically defined by law.

“Issuance” means the date of mailing of a decision or order or date of delivery if service is by other means, unless another date is specified in the order.

“Party” means a party as defined in Iowa Code subsection 17A.2(8).

“Presiding officer” means the administrative law judge (ALJ) assigned to the contested case or, in the case of an appeal pursuant to rule 11—52.5(8A), the classification appeal committee appointed by the director.

“Proposed decision” means the presiding officer’s recommended findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order in contested cases where the department did not preside.