561—7.12(17A,455A) Pleadings.

1. 7.12(1)  Petition.

   1. a. Who must file. In all cases where an action of the department is appealed, the party aggrieved by the action shall file the petition. In those cases where the department seeks to suspend or revoke a license or permit, the department shall file the petition.
   2. b. Time for filing. Any petition required to be filed by a party other than the department shall be filed within 20 days of receipt of the notice of hearing, unless the presiding officer allows additional time.

   3. c. Content. The petition shall include all of the following items, in separately numbered paragraphs:

      1. (1) The basis for the agency’s jurisdiction over the matter;
      2. (2) A detailed discussion of the relief demanded and the supporting facts, including any supporting documentation relied upon for relief;
      3. (3) The particular provisions of the statutes and rules involved;
      4. (4) The name(s) of the party or parties on whose behalf the petition is filed; and
      5. (5) The name, address and telephone number of the petitioner and the petitioner’s attorney, if any.

2. 7.12(2)  Answer.

   1. a. Who must file. In all cases where an action of the department is appealed, the department shall file the answer. In those cases where the department seeks to suspend or revoke a license or permit, the holder of the license or permit shall file the answer.
   2. b. Time for filing. The answer shall be filed within 20 days of receipt of the petition.
   3. c. Content of answer. The answer shall state on whose behalf it is filed and shall specifically admit or deny each allegation or paragraph of the petition. It shall state any facts deemed to show a defense; it may raise points of law appearing on the face of the petition; and it may contain as many defenses, legal or equitable, as the pleader may claim, which defenses may be inconsistent. The answer also shall state the name, address and telephone number of the person filing the answer and the person’s attorney, if any.
   4. d. Matters admitted and defenses waived. Any allegation in the petition not denied in the answer shall be deemed admitted. Any defense not raised in the answer that could have been raised at that time on the basis of facts then known shall be deemed waived, except for subject matter jurisdiction.
   5. e. Failure to answer. If the party required by this subrule to file an answer fails to file an answer within 20 days of receipt of the notice of hearing or petition, a default shall, upon motion, be entered by the presiding officer.
3. 7.12(3)  Amendment. Any notice of hearing, petition, or other charging document (document asserting a party’s position) may be amended before a responsive pleading has been filed. Amendments to pleadings after a responsive pleading has been filed and to an answer may be allowed with the consent of the other parties or in the discretion of the presiding officer who may impose terms or grant a continuance.
4. 7.12(4)  Form. All pleadings shall adhere to the format required by or use the template provided by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing, if any, and must be signed by the person filing the pleading.
5. 7.12(5)  Filing and service of pleadings. The original of all pleadings shall be filed with the presiding officer, and a copy of all pleadings shall be contemporaneously served upon the other parties. Filing and service of pleadings shall be by e-file, first-class mail, or personal service. No return of service shall be required.
6. 7.12(6)  Docketing. Upon receipt of a pleading, the presiding officer shall docket the pleading in a docket kept for that purpose and shall assign a number to the case that shall be placed on all subsequent pleadings filed in the case.

Pleadings are the parties’ written statements of their respective claims or defenses. Pleadings do not include motions. The only allowable pleadings shall be the petition and the answer.

[ARC 9433C, IAB 7/23/25, effective 8/27/25]