N.M. Code R. § 20.1.5.500 – Post-hearing Procedures

A. Filing the Transcript: Unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary or Hearing Officer, The hearing shall be transcribed verbatim. The Hearing Clerk shall promptly notify all parties and interested participants of the availability of the transcript. Any person desiring a copy of the transcript must order a copy from the reporter.
B. Proposed Findings and Conclusions: Unless otherwise ordered by the Hearing Officer, within thirty (30) days after the filing of the transcript, or within such time as may be fixed by the Hearing Officer, any party may submit proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law and closing argument. All such submissions shall be in writing, served on all parties and contain adequate references to the record and authorities relied on. No new evidence shall be presented unless specifically allowed by the Hearing Officer.
C. Recommended Decision:
(1) Content: Unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary, the Hearing Officer shall issue a recommended decision within thirty (30) days after the period for filing of proposed findings and conclusions under Section 501 [Subsection B. of this Section] has expired. The recommended decision shall contain the following:
(a) the Hearing Officer's findings of fact; conclusions regarding all material issues of law or discretion, as well as reasons therefor;
(b) if applicable, a review of the penalty amount to determine if the agency acted within its discretion in setting the penalty amount. If the Hearing Officer decides to recommend a civil penalty different in amount or nature from the penalty recommended to be assessed in the Compliance Order, the Hearing Officer shall set forth in the recommended decision the specific reasons for the change; and
(c) a proposed final order.
(2) Comment on Recommended Decision: Any party may file, within fifteen (15) days after service of the recommended decision, comments regarding the recommended decision, including argument for, against or modification of the recommended decision.
(3) Argument Before the Secretary: The Secretary may, upon request of a party or sua sponte, allow oral argument on the recommended decision. If oral argument is allowed, the Secretary shall specify the time and place for such oral argument, after giving due consideration to the convenience of the parties and the need for expeditious resolution of the proceeding.
D. Final Order by Secretary: As soon as practicable, but not later than thirty (30) days, after expiration of the time for filing of comments on the recommended decision or conclusion of oral argument, if allowed, the Secretary shall issue a final written order in the matter.
(1) Decision: The Secretary may adopt, modify, or set aside the Hearing Officer's recommended decision, and shall set forth in the final order the reasons for the action taken. In a ULA Hearing, if the Secretary takes any action specified in the ULA against the licensee, the final order shall specify that the licensee shall bear all costs of the proceeding.
(2) Penalty: The Secretary may change the amount and nature of the civil penalty, if any, assessed from the amount recommended by the Hearing Officer and shall set forth reasons for the change. The final order shall also specify the fund to which any civil penalty assessed shall be paid.
E. Payment of Civil Penalty: The Respondent shall pay the full amount of the civil penalty, if any, assessed in the final order within ninety (90) days after receipt of the final order unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary. Payment shall be made by forwarding to the Hearing Clerk a cashier's check or certified check in the amount of the penalty assessed in the final order, payable to the fund specified in the final order.
F. Judicial Review: Judicial review of the Secretary's final order shall be as provided by law. The filing of an appeal does not stay any action, compliance, corrective action or payment of penalty required by the final order, unless otherwise ordered by the Secretary or the Court.
G. Preparation of Record Proper: The preparation of the Record Proper for an appeal or for any other reason shall be the responsibility of the Hearing Clerk. Appellant shall make satisfactory arrangements, including copying or transcript costs, with the Hearing Clerk.
[11/15/90, 11/30/95; 20.1.5.500 NMAC – Rn, 20 NMAC 1.5.V.500 through 506, Recompiled 11/27/01]