[Federal Register Volume 75, Number 248 (Tuesday, December 28, 2010)]
[Rules and Regulations]
[Pages 81459-81464]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2010-32417]


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FEDERAL MINE SAFETY AND HEALTH REVIEW COMMISSION

29 CFR Part 2700


Simplified Proceedings

AGENCY: Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.

ACTION: Final rule.

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SUMMARY: The Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission (the 
``Commission'') is an independent adjudicatory agency that provides 
hearings and appellate review of cases arising under the Federal Mine 
Safety and Health Act of 1977, or Mine Act. Hearings are held before 
the Commission's Administrative Law Judges, and appellate review is 
provided by a five-member Review Commission appointed by the President 
and confirmed by the Senate. The Commission is publishing a final rule 
to simplify the procedures for handling certain civil penalty 
proceedings.

DATES: The final rule takes effect on March 1, 2011. The Commission 
will accept written and electronic comments received on or before 
January 12, 2011.

ADDRESSES: Written comments should be mailed to Michael A. McCord, 
General Counsel, Office of the General Counsel, Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Review Commission, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Suite 9500, 
Washington, DC 20001, or sent via facsimile to 202-434-9944. Persons 
mailing written comments shall provide an original and three copies of 
their comments. Electronic comments should state ``Comments on 
Simplified Proceedings'' in the subject line and be sent to 
[email protected].

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Michael A. McCord, General Counsel, 
Office of the General Counsel, 601 New Jersey Avenue, NW., Suite 9500, 
Washington, DC 20001; telephone 202-434-9935; fax 202-434-9944.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

Background

    On May 20, 2010, the Commission published in the Federal Register a 
rule proposing Simplified Proceedings in certain civil penalty 
proceedings. 75 FR 28223. The Commission explained that since 2006, the 
number of new cases filed with the Commission has dramatically 
increased, and that in order to deal with that burgeoning caseload, the 
Commission is considering methods to simplify and streamline its 
procedures for handling certain civil penalty proceedings.
    The Commission invited comments on the proposed rule through June 
21, 2010. The Commission received comments from: (1) The Law Offices of 
Adele L. Abrams; (2) the United Mine Workers of America; (3) the 
Secretary of Labor through the Office of the Solicitor (``MSHA'' or the 
``Secretary''); (4) Public Citizen; (5) Industrial Minerals 
Association-North America; (6) Alliance Coal, LLC; (7) Chris Barber; 
(8) Arch Coal, Inc.; (9) Jackson Kelly PLLC; and (10) Imerys.
    The major differences between the simplified procedures set forth 
in the proposed rule and current conventional

[[Page 81460]]

procedures were that, under the proposed simplified procedures, answers 
to petitions for assessment of penalty would not be required; motions 
would be eliminated to the greatest extent practicable; early 
discussions among the parties and the Commission Administrative Law 
Judge (``Judge'') would be required to narrow and define the disputes 
between parties; parties would be required to disclose certain 
materials early in the proceedings; discovery would not be permitted 
except as ordered by the Judge; interlocutory appeals would not be 
permitted; and post-hearing briefs would not be allowed, except as 
ordered by the Judge. Although the administrative process would be 
streamlined, hearings would remain full due process hearings as they 
are under conventional procedures. The proposed rule is unchanged in 
many ways, and the characteristics of Simplified Proceedings described 
above also are present in this final rule.

Pilot Program

    A commenter suggested that the Commission should implement 
Simplified Proceedings as a pilot program and then conduct an 
independent evaluation of whether the new procedures were successful in 
streamlining and simplifying cases before finalizing the Simplified 
Proceedings rule. The Commission agrees that Simplified Proceedings 
should be implemented as a pilot program for a finite period of time. 
Accordingly, this final rule shall be implemented as a pilot program 
for nine to twelve months. During the pilot program, the Commission 
will gather information to assess the success of Simplified Proceedings 
(e.g., comparing how long it takes to process cases under Simplified 
Proceedings compared to processing under conventional procedures, and 
whether there is any beneficial impact on the Commission's backlog of 
undecided cases). The Commission intends to publish the results of its 
pilot program and request comments regarding the regulated community's 
experience with Simplified Proceedings. These comments and the 
information gathered from the Commission during the pilot program will 
form the basis of any future final Simplified Proceedings rule.

Eligibility

    The Commission proposed various characteristics to describe which 
cases might be eligible for Simplified Proceedings. Under the proposed 
rule, cases designated for Simplified Proceedings by the Chief Judge or 
the Judge's designee would not involve complex issues of law or fact 
and would generally include one or more of the following 
characteristics: (1) Limited number of citations; (2) an aggregate 
proposed penalty of not more than $15,000 per docket and not more than 
$50,000 per proceeding; (3) no citation or order issued under sections 
104(b), 104(d), 104(e), 105(c), 107(a), 110(b), 110(c), or 111 of the 
Mine Act; (4) not involving a fatality; or (5) a hearing that is 
expected to take not more than one day.
    In the preamble to the proposed rule, the Commission discussed the 
difficulty in describing the criteria for eligibility for Simplified 
Proceedings, noting that it would be useful for the Commission to 
consider, at an early stage, all of the contested civil penalties that 
might be at issue in a single hearing. The Commission explained that it 
plans to review each petition for assessment of penalty and proposed 
penalty assessment form in its consideration of whether a case is 
appropriate for Simplified Proceedings. MSHA currently groups citations 
and orders and their proposed penalties on a proposed penalty 
assessment form based upon a 30-day billing cycle. Under MSHA's current 
practice for grouping citations and orders, the Commission would not 
have a complete view of all of the contested penalties that may be 
relevant in a particular hearing. Accordingly, the Commission requested 
suggestions regarding criteria that might be used to better group 
proposed penalties and the underlying citations and orders.
    Industry commenters suggested that citations and orders should be 
grouped by inspection on a proposed assessment form. MSHA agreed that 
citations and orders should be grouped by inspection (which MSHA 
designates by an ``event number''), and further by inspector where more 
than one inspector is involved in an inspection.
    The Commission also received comments suggesting that some factors 
should be added to make more cases eligible for Simplified Proceedings, 
such as that cases should be included in which parties mutually agree 
to opt-in to Simplified Proceedings. The Commission received other 
suggestions for excluding cases from Simplified Proceedings, such as 
that cases should be excluded if they involve special assessments, pure 
legal issues, expert witnesses, and the occurrence of injury or 
illness. Commenters had varying opinions on the number of citations, 
penalty amount, and hearing length that should make a case eligible for 
Simplified Proceedings.
    The Commission agrees that, prior to docketing, citations and 
orders for some cases should be grouped by inspection, and further by 
inspector where more than one inspector is involved in an inspection. 
The Commission should then have a clearer picture of the citations and 
orders that might be at issue in a hearing and whether the case is 
appropriate for Simplified Proceedings. The Commission has conferred 
with MSHA regarding the grouping of citations and orders. We expect 
this grouping to occur prior to the effective date of this final rule.
    As to eligibility criteria for Simplified Proceedings, the 
Commission has concluded that cases designated for Simplified 
Proceedings shall not involve fatalities or the occurrence of injuries 
or illnesses. Furthermore, cases designated for Simplified Proceedings 
will generally include one or more of the following characteristics: 
(1) The case involves only citations issued under section 104(a) of the 
Mine Act; (2) the proposed penalties were not specially assessed under 
30 CFR 100.5; (3) the case does not involve complex issues of law or 
fact; (4) the case involves a limited number of citations to be 
determined by the Chief Judge or his designee; (5) the case involves a 
limited penalty amount to be determined by the Chief Judge or his 
designee; (6) the case will involve a hearing of limited duration to be 
determined by the Chief Judge or his designee; (7) the case does not 
involve only legal issues; and (8) the case does not involve expert 
witnesses. Information gathered during the pilot program may better 
clarify appropriate criteria for Simplified Proceedings eligibility.

Designation of Case for Simplified Proceedings

    The Commission proposed that a civil penalty proceeding would be 
designated for Simplified Proceedings by the Chief Judge or the Judge's 
designee. Under proposed section 2700.102, after a case has been 
designated for Simplified Proceedings, the Commission would issue a 
notice of designation to the parties, which would also provide certain 
information, such as contact information for the Judge assigned to the 
case, including the Judge's e-mail address. In addition, parties would 
be required to file a notice of appearance providing specific contact 
information for the counsel or representative acting on behalf of the 
party, if that information had not already been provided. The operator 
would not be required to file an answer to the petition for assessment 
of civil penalty.

[[Page 81461]]

    Under proposed section 2700.103, even if a case had not been 
designated for Simplified Proceedings by the Chief Judge or the Judge's 
designee, a party had the opportunity to request that a case be 
designated. The Commission proposed that the request would need to be 
in writing and state whether the request is opposed. The request would 
also address the characteristics specified in the rule that make the 
case appropriate for designation. If a request for designation were 
granted, under the proposed rule, the parties would be required to file 
and serve notices of appearance providing specific contact information 
unless such contact information had already been provided. Under the 
proposed rule, if a party requested Simplified Proceedings, the 
deadline for filing an answer to a petition for assessment of penalty 
would be suspended. If a request were denied, the time for filing an 
answer would begin to run upon issuance of the Judge's order denying 
the request.
    The Commission received comments suggesting that the decision to 
opt-in to Simplified Proceedings should be exclusively controlled by 
the parties. Some commenters also suggested that parties should be able 
to opt-in to Simplified Proceedings at any time, that all cases should 
be eligible for Simplified Proceedings, and that any request to opt-in 
should be consented to by all parties.
    The Commission has declined to adopt these suggestions and has made 
very few changes to proposed sections 2700.102 and 2700.103. Similar to 
the Simplified Proceedings rule adopted by the Occupational Safety and 
Health Review Commission (``OSHRC'') (see 29 CFR 2200.203), the 
Commission concludes that some cases that meet certain criteria should 
be designated for Simplified Proceedings by the Commission, and that 
the decision to opt-in should not be within the exclusive control of 
the parties. If a party disagrees with a case's designation for 
Simplified Proceedings, the party may file a motion to opt-out pursuant 
to section 2700.104. The Commission has further determined that parties 
should not be able to automatically opt-in to Simplified Proceedings in 
any type of case even with the mutual consent of all parties. However, 
a mutual request to opt-in involving a case that does not meet the 
eligibility criteria may be granted at the discretion of the Judge. 
Regarding the timing of a party's request for Simplified Proceedings, 
proposed section 2700.103 did not set forth a specific time for when a 
party must file its request for Simplified Proceedings, and a deadline 
has not been set forth in the final rule. The Commission is not 
requiring that all requests to opt-in must be consented to by all 
parties. Finally, the Commission has determined that paragraph (d) 
should be revised to conform more closely with the language of section 
2700.100(b)(1).

Discontinuance of Simplified Proceedings

    Under proposed section 2700.104, if it became apparent at any time 
that a case was not appropriate for Simplified Proceedings, the 
assigned Judge could discontinue Simplified Proceedings upon the 
Judge's own motion or upon the motion of any party. A party would have 
the opportunity to move to discontinue the Simplified Proceedings at 
any time during the proceedings but no later than 30 days before the 
scheduled hearing. The moving party would be required to confer with 
the other parties and state in the motion if any other party opposes or 
does not oppose the motion. Parties opposing the motion would have 
eight business days after service of the motion to file an opposition. 
The Commission proposed that if Simplified Proceedings were 
discontinued, the Judge would issue such orders as are necessary for an 
orderly continuation under conventional rules.
    The Commission received some comments suggesting that opting-out of 
Simplified Proceedings should be exclusively controlled by the parties, 
while other comments expressed agreement with the language proposing 
that opting-out should be within the discretion of the Judge. Another 
commenter suggested that more information should be provided regarding 
the grounds for a Judge's decision to discontinue Simplified 
Proceedings.
    The Commission has concluded that the rule should be adopted as 
proposed. However, if the pilot program reveals that revisions should 
be made to the process for discontinuing Simplified Proceedings, the 
Commission will consider making those revisions.

Pre-Hearing Exchange of Information

    The Commission proposed in section 2700.107 that discovery would 
``only be allowed under the conditions and time limits set by the 
Judge.'' Rather than requiring the disclosure of documents and 
materials through discovery, the Commission proposed a more expeditious 
means for disclosure through the mandatory exchange of documents and 
materials and through a pre-hearing conference. More specifically, 
proposed section 2700.105 provided that within 30 calendar days after a 
case had been designated for Simplified Proceedings, each party would 
provide to all other parties copies of all documents, electronically 
stored information and tangible things that the disclosing party had 
and would use to support its claims or defenses. Materials required to 
be disclosed under the proposed rule would include, but would not be 
limited to, inspection notes, citation documentation, narratives, 
photos, diagrams, preshift and onshift reports, training documents, 
mine maps and witness statements (subject to the provisions of 29 CFR 
2700.61). Under proposed section 2700.106, as early as practicable 
after the parties received these materials, the Judge would order and 
conduct a pre-hearing conference. Proposed section 2700.106 further 
provided that at the pre-hearing conference, the parties would discuss 
the following: Settlement of the case; the narrowing of issues; an 
agreed statement of issues and facts; defenses; witnesses and exhibits; 
motions; and any other pertinent matter. At the conclusion of the 
conference, the Judge would issue an order setting forth any agreements 
reached by the parties and would specify in the order the issues to be 
addressed by the parties at the hearing.
    The industry commenters generally suggested that there should not 
be a ban on discovery, and that they should be permitted to depose the 
inspector who issued the contested citations and orders. MSHA, on the 
other hand, commented that discovery should be allowed only in 
extraordinary circumstances. The Commission believes that the limit on 
discovery is a key provision to simplifying and streamlining cases 
designated for Simplified Proceedings. The final rule replaces the 
language in proposed section 2700.107 with the language of proposed 
section 2700.100(b)(5), which more clearly articulates that discovery 
is generally prohibited.
    Regarding the mandatory disclosure of information by parties set 
forth in proposed section 2700.105, commenters suggested that the time-
frame for disclosure of documents should be changed from 30 to 45 days. 
Commenters also suggested expanding the information which must be 
disclosed to include all documents related to a matter that are in a 
party's possession (and not just those that it would use in litigation) 
and the disclosure of documents supporting the opposing party's claims.
    The final rule changes the time-frame for disclosure to 45 days and 
requires the exchange of information suggested in the comments. The 
Commission has

[[Page 81462]]

further expanded disclosure to include rebuttal forms and to specify 
requirements for privilege logs. An expanded exchange of information 
balances the lack of discovery permitted by the Simplified Proceedings 
rule.
    Regarding proposed section 2700.106, the Commission received 
comments stating that, since admissions made in the interest of 
settlement are not intended to be admissible in formal proceedings, a 
Judge assigned to a Simplified Proceedings case, who will ultimately 
decide the case, should not hear settlement discussions during a pre-
hearing conference. A commenter also suggested that the hearing date 
should be set during the pre-hearing conference.
    The Commission agrees that the Judge assigned to a Simplified 
Proceedings case should not hear the content of the settlement 
discussions during the pre-hearing conference, and that the rule should 
clarify that only settlement efforts by the parties (not the actual 
content of settlement) will be discussed during pre-hearing 
conferences. The final rule further requires that a settlement 
discussion occur between parties before the pre-hearing conference. In 
order to allow as much flexibility as possible, the rule has not been 
revised to require a hearing date to be set at the end of the pre-
hearing conference.

Hearing

    The Commission proposed in section 2700.108 that as soon as 
practicable after the conclusion of the pre-hearing conference, the 
Judge would hold a hearing on any issue that remained in dispute. The 
hearing would be a full due process hearing. Each party would present 
oral argument at the close of the hearing, and post-hearing briefs 
would not be permitted except by order of the Judge. The Judge would 
issue a written decision that would constitute the final disposition of 
the proceedings within 60 calendar days after the hearing. If the Judge 
announced a decision orally from the bench, it would be reduced to 
writing within 60 calendar days after the hearing.
    The Commission received no comments on proposed section 2700.108 
and adopts the rule without change.

Miscellaneous

    The Commission proposed conforming changes to Rule 5(c), 29 CFR 
2700.5(c). Those changes conform the contact information required in 
Simplified Proceedings with the contact information required in all 
proceedings. The Commission received no comments on the proposed 
changes to Rule 5(c) and adopts the rule as proposed.
    The Commission received a comment suggesting that rulemaking 
comments should be posted on the Commission's Web site. The Commission 
agrees and shall make rulemaking comments, including those to this 
final rule, available on the Commission's Web site (http://www.fmshrc.gov).
    A commenter stated that the Commission should provide sufficient 
information to allow the commenter to assess whether the Simplified 
Proceedings rule is sufficient to help draw down the Commission's 
backlog of undecided cases quickly. The Commission intends to provide 
such information after it conducts the pilot program.
    The Commission received comments that it should adopt settlement 
procedures similar to those found in OSHRC's rules at 29 CFR part 2200, 
subpart H. The Commission will consider the appropriateness of 
promulgating a settlement subpart after the conclusion of the pilot 
program for Simplified Proceedings.

Notice and Public Procedure

    Although notice-and-comment rulemaking requirements under the 
Administrative Procedure Act (``APA'') do not apply to rules of agency 
procedure (see 5 U.S.C. 553(b)(3)(A)), the Commission invites members 
of the interested public to submit comments on this final rule. The 
Commission will accept public comments until January 12, 2011.
    The Commission is an independent regulatory agency and, as such, is 
not subject to the requirements of E.O. 12866, E.O. 13132, or the 
Unfunded Mandates Reform Act, 2 U.S.C. 1501 et seq.
    The Commission has determined under the Regulatory Flexibility Act 
(5 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) that this rule would not have a significant 
economic impact on a substantial number of small entities. Therefore, a 
Regulatory Flexibility Statement and Analysis has not been prepared.
    The Commission has determined that the Paperwork Reduction Act (44 
U.S.C. 3501 et seq.) does not apply because this rule does not contain 
any information collection requirements that require the approval of 
the Office of Management and Budget.
    The Commission has determined that the Congressional Review Act, 5 
U.S.C. 801, is not applicable here because, pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 
804(3)(C), this rule ``does not substantially affect the rights or 
obligations of non-agency parties.''

List of Subjects in 29 CFR Part 2700

    Administrative practice and procedure, Mine safety and health, 
Penalties, Whistleblowing.

0
For the reasons stated in the preamble, the Federal Mine Safety and 
Health Review Commission amends 29 CFR part 2700 as follows:

PART 2700--PROCEDURAL RULES

0
1. The authority citation for part 2700 continues to read as follows:

    Authority: 30 U.S.C. 815, 820, 823, and 876.

0
2. Section 2700.5 is amended by revising paragraph (c) to read as 
follows:


Sec.  2700.5  General requirements for pleadings and other documents; 
status or informational requests.

* * * * *
    (c) Necessary information. All documents shall be legible and shall 
clearly identify on the cover page the filing party by name. All 
documents shall be dated and shall include the assigned docket number, 
page numbers, and the filing person's address, business telephone 
number, cell telephone number if available, fax number if available, 
and e-mail address if available. Written notice of any change in 
contact information shall be given promptly to the Commission or the 
Judge and all other parties.
* * * * *

0
3. A new subpart J is added to read as follows:
Subpart J--Simplified Proceedings
Sec.
2700.100 Purpose.
2700.101 Eligibility for Simplified Proceedings.
2700.102 Commission Commencement of Simplified Proceedings.
2700.103 Party Request for Simplified Proceedings.
2700.104 Discontinuance of Simplified Proceedings.
2700.105 Disclosure of Information by the Parties.
2700.106 Pre-Hearing Conference.
2700.107 Discovery.
2700.108 Hearing.
2700.109 Review of Judge's Decision.
2700.110 Application.

Subpart J--Simplified Proceedings


Sec.  2700.100  Purpose.

    (a) The purpose of this Simplified Proceedings subpart is to 
provide simplified procedures for resolving civil penalty contests 
under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977, so that parties 
before the Commission may reduce the time and expense of litigation 
while being assured due process and a hearing that meets the

[[Page 81463]]

requirements of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 554. These 
procedural rules will be applied to accomplish this purpose.
    (b) Procedures under this subpart are simplified in a number of 
ways. The major differences between these procedures and those that 
would otherwise apply in subparts A, C, G, H, and I of this part are as 
follows.
    (1) Answers to petitions for assessment of penalty are not 
required.
    (2) Motions are eliminated to the greatest extent practicable.
    (3) Early discussions among the parties and the Administrative Law 
Judge are required to narrow and define the disputes between the 
parties.
    (4) The parties are required to provide certain materials early in 
the proceedings.
    (5) Discovery is not permitted except as ordered by the 
Administrative Law Judge.
    (6) Interlocutory appeals are not permitted.
    (7) The administrative process is streamlined, but hearings will be 
full due process hearings. The parties will argue their case orally 
before the Judge at the conclusion of the hearing instead of filing 
briefs. In many instances, the Judge will render a decision from the 
bench.


Sec.  2700.101  Eligibility for Simplified Proceedings.

    Cases designated for Simplified Proceedings will not involve 
fatalities, injuries or illnesses, and will generally include one or 
more of the following characteristics:
    (a) The case involves only citations issued under section 104(a) of 
the Mine Act.
    (b) The proposed penalties were not specially assessed under 30 CFR 
100.5.
    (c) The case does not involve complex issues of law or fact.
    (d) The case involves a limited number of citations to be 
determined by the Chief Judge or designee.
    (e) The case involves a limited penalty amount to be determined by 
the Chief Judge or designee.
    (f) The case will involve a hearing of limited duration to be 
determined by the Chief Judge or designee.
    (g) The case does not involve only legal issues.
    (h) The case does not involve expert witnesses.


Sec.  2700.102  Commission Commencement of Simplified Proceedings.

    (a) Designation. Upon receipt of a petition for assessment of 
penalty, the Chief Administrative Law Judge, or designee, has the 
authority to designate an appropriate case for Simplified Proceedings.
    (b) Notice of designation. After a case has been designated for 
Simplified Proceedings, the Commission will issue a Notice of 
Designation for Simplified Proceedings. The Notice will inform parties 
that the case has been designated for Simplified Proceedings, state the 
name and contact information for the Commission Administrative Law 
Judge assigned to the case, provide instructions for filing a notice of 
appearance in the Simplified Proceedings, and state that the operator 
need not file an answer to the petition for assessment of penalty. The 
Commission will send the notice of designation to the parties' 
addresses listed on the petition for assessment of penalty.
    (c) Notice of appearance. Unless the contact information described 
in this paragraph has already been provided to the Judge, within 15 
calendar days after receiving a notice of designation, the parties 
shall file notices of appearance with the assigned Judge. Each notice 
of appearance shall provide the following information for the counsel 
or representative acting on behalf of the party: Name, address, 
business telephone number, cell telephone number if available, fax 
number if available, and e-mail address if available. Notices of 
appearance shall be served on all parties in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec.  2700.7.
    (d) No filing of an answer under Subpart C of this part. If a case 
has been designated for Simplified Proceedings, an answer pursuant to 
Sec.  2700.29 is not required to be filed.


Sec.  2700.103  Party Request for Simplified Proceedings.

    (a) Party request. Any party may request that a case be designated 
for Simplified Proceedings. The request must be in writing and should 
address the characteristics specified in Sec.  2700.101. The request 
must be filed with the Commission in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec.  2700.5 and served on all parties in accordance with the 
provisions of Sec.  2700.7. The requesting party shall confer or make 
reasonable efforts to confer with the other parties and shall state in 
the request if any other party opposes or does not oppose the request. 
Parties opposing the request shall have eight business days after 
service of the motion to file an opposition.
    (b) Judge's ruling on request. The Chief Administrative Law Judge 
or the Judge assigned to the case may grant a party's request and 
designate a case for Simplified Proceedings at the Judge's discretion.
    (c) Notice of appearance. Unless the contact information described 
in this paragraph has already been provided to the Judge, within 15 
calendar days after receiving an order granting a request for 
Simplified Proceedings, the parties shall file with the Judge notices 
of appearance described in Sec.  2700.102(c). Notices of appearance 
shall be served on all parties in accordance with the provisions of 
Sec.  2700.7.
    (d) No filing of an answer under Subpart C of this part. If a case 
has been designated for Simplified Proceedings, an answer pursuant to 
Sec.  2700.29 is not required to be filed. If a request for Simplified 
Proceedings is denied, the period for filing an answer will begin to 
run upon issuance of the Judge's order denying Simplified Proceedings.


Sec.  2700.104  Discontinuance of Simplified Proceedings.

    (a) Procedure. If it becomes apparent at any time that a case is 
not appropriate for Simplified Proceedings, the Judge assigned to the 
case may, upon motion by any party or upon the Judge's own motion, 
discontinue Simplified Proceedings and order the case to continue under 
conventional rules.
    (b) Party motion. At any time during the proceedings but no later 
than 30 days before the scheduled hearing, any party may move that 
Simplified Proceedings be discontinued and that the matter continue 
under conventional procedures. A motion to discontinue must explain why 
the case is inappropriate for Simplified Proceedings. The moving party 
shall confer or make reasonable efforts to confer with the other 
parties and shall state in the motion if any other party opposes or 
does not oppose the motion. Parties opposing the motion shall have 
eight business days after service of the motion to file an opposition.
    (c) Ruling. If Simplified Proceedings are discontinued, the Judge 
may issue such orders as are necessary for an orderly continuation 
under conventional rules.


Sec.  2700.105  Disclosure of Information by the Parties.

    (a) Within 45 calendar days after a case has been designated for 
Simplified Proceedings, the parties shall provide any information in a 
party's possession, custody, or control that the disclosing party or 
opposing party may use to support its claims or defenses. Any material 
or object that cannot be copied, or the copying of which would be 
unduly burdensome, shall be described and its location specified. 
Materials

[[Page 81464]]

required to be disclosed include, but are not limited to, inspection 
notes from the entire subject inspection, rebuttal forms, citation 
documentation, narratives, photos, diagrams, preshift and onshift 
reports, training documents, mine maps, witness statements (subject to 
the provisions of Sec.  2700.61), witness lists, and written opinions 
of expert witnesses, if any.
    (b) If any items are withheld from disclosure on grounds of 
privilege, the disclosing party shall provide a log describing each 
item and stating the reason(s) why it was not produced. The privilege 
log shall provide an index, identifying the allegedly privileged 
documents and shall provide sufficient detail to permit an informed 
decision as to whether the document is at least potentially privileged. 
Specifically, the index must include: A description of the document, 
including its subject matter and the purpose for which it was created; 
the date the document was created; the name and job title of the author 
of the document; and if applicable, the name and job title of the 
recipient(s) of the document. The judge may order an in camera 
inspection of the privileged documents, if necessary, to determine the 
proper application of the privilege.


Sec.  2700.106  Pre-Hearing Conference.

    (a) When held. As early as practicable after the parties have 
received the materials set forth in Sec.  2700.105, the presiding Judge 
will order and conduct a pre-hearing conference. At the discretion of 
the Judge, the pre-hearing conference may be held in person, by 
telephone, or electronic means. After receipt of the materials set 
forth in Sec.  2700.105 and prior to the pre-hearing conference, 
parties are required to engage in a discussion to explore the 
possibility of settlement.
    (b) Content. At the pre-hearing conference, the parties will 
discuss the following: Settlement efforts in the case; the narrowing of 
issues; an agreed statement of issues and facts; defenses; witnesses 
and exhibits; motions; and any other pertinent matter. Within a time 
determined by the Judge during the pre-hearing conference, the parties 
must provide each other with documents or materials intended for 
submission as exhibits at the hearing that have not already been 
provided in accordance with the provisions of Sec.  2700.105. At the 
conclusion of the conference, the Judge will issue an order setting 
forth any agreements reached by the parties, and will specify in the 
order the issues to be addressed by the parties at hearing.


Sec.  2700.107  Discovery.

    Discovery is not permitted except as ordered by the Administrative 
Law Judge.


Sec.  2700.108  Hearing.

    (a) Procedures. As soon as practicable after the conclusion of the 
pre-hearing conference, the Judge will hold a hearing on any issue that 
remains in dispute. The hearing will be in accordance with subpart G of 
this part, except for Sec. Sec.  2700.56, 2700.57, 2700.58, 2700.59, 
2700.65, and 2700.67, which will not apply.
    (b) Agreements. At the beginning of the hearing, the Judge will 
enter into the record all agreements reached by the parties as well as 
defenses raised during the pre-hearing conference. The parties and the 
Judge then will attempt to resolve or narrow the remaining issues. The 
Judge will enter into the record any further agreements reached by the 
parties.
    (c) Evidence. The Judge will receive oral, physical, or documentary 
evidence that is relevant, and not unduly repetitious or cumulative. 
Testimony will be given under oath or affirmation. The parties are 
reminded that the Federal Rules of Evidence do not apply in Commission 
proceedings. Any evidence not disclosed as required by Sec. Sec.  
2700.105 and 2700.106(b), including the testimony of witnesses not 
identified pursuant to Sec.  2700.106(b), shall be inadmissible at the 
hearing, except where extraordinary circumstances are established by 
the party seeking to offer such evidence.
    (d) Court reporter. A court reporter will be present at the 
hearing. An official verbatim transcript of the hearing will be 
prepared and filed with the Judge.
    (e) Oral and written argument. Each party may present oral argument 
at the close of the hearing. Post-hearing briefs will not be allowed 
except by order of the Judge.
    (f) Judge's decision. The Judge shall make a decision that 
constitutes the final disposition of the proceedings within 60 calendar 
days after the hearing. The decision shall be in writing and shall 
include all findings of fact and conclusions of law; the reasons or 
bases for them on all the material issues of fact, law, or discretion 
presented by the record; and an order. If a decision is announced 
orally from the bench, it shall be reduced to writing within 60 
calendar days after the hearing. An order by a Judge approving a 
settlement proposal is a decision of the Judge.


Sec.  2700.109  Review of Judge's Decision.

    After the issuance of the Judge's written decision, any party may 
petition the Commission for review of the Judge's written decision as 
provided for in subpart H of this part.


Sec.  2700.110  Application.

    The rules in this subpart will govern proceedings before a Judge in 
a case designated for Simplified Proceedings under Sec. Sec.  2700.102 
and 2700.103. The provisions of subparts A and I apply to Simplified 
Proceedings when consistent with these rules in subpart J. The 
provisions of subpart C of this part apply to Simplified Proceedings 
except for Sec.  2700.29, which does not apply. The provisions of 
subpart G of this part apply to Simplified Proceedings except for 
Sec. Sec.  2700.56, 2700.57, 2700.58, 2700.59, 2700.65, and 2700.67, 
which do not apply. The provisions of subpart H of this part apply to 
Simplified Proceedings except for Sec.  2700.76, which does not apply. 
The provisions of subparts B, D, E and F of this part do not apply to 
Simplified Proceedings.

    Dated: December 20, 2010.
Mary Lu Jordan,
Chairman, Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.
[FR Doc. 2010-32417 Filed 12-27-10; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6735-01-P