Summary Of Express Terms
Summary of Express Terms
Summary of Parts 620, 621, 622 and 624 Express Terms and Nonsubstantive Changes
Part 622 Summary
The Department of Environmental Conservation (Department) repeals 6 NYCRR Part 622 "Uniform Enforcement Hearing Procedures" and adopts a new 6 NYCRR Part 622 "Uniform Enforcement Hearing Procedures".
Applicability
Part 622 will apply to all administrative enforcement proceedings brought pursuant to the Environmental Conservation Law (ECL) or other laws administered by the commissioner, and various other matters enumerated in Part 622.
Definitions and General Provisions
Definitions specific to Part 622 are presented in 622.2. Several definitions have been revised to clarify or update the definition. Discovery is now defined as disclosure to be consistent with the CPLR. The definition of relevant has been changed to be consistent with the Uniform Court Rules. The definition of report has also been revised to more accurately reflect what is contained within a report. New definitions for "electronically stored information," "hearing," "mediation," "proceeding," and "proof of service," have been adopted. The Office of Hearings was renamed Office of Hearings and Mediation Services in 1996. The change reflecting that name change has been made throughout the part.
The requirements for commencing a proceeding have been revised to clarify the requirements. Provisions have also been added for commencing a proceeding for those matters arising out of petroleum delivery prohibitions authorized by 6 NYCRR 613-5.4(a)(3).
Pre-hearing conference rules have been amended to codify the practice of granting a default if respondent fails to appear at the pre-hearing conference and the time to answer the complaint has expired.
Section 622.12 is amended to clarify the service requirements for a motion for order without hearing in lieu of complaint and for a motion for order without hearing served in addition to and after service of a notice of hearing and complaint. The section also describes when a motion for order without hearing may amend the pleadings.
The default procedures contained in section 622.15 have been revised to reflect current practice and administrative precedent. The section also requires the service of default motions on all respondents and compliance with CPLR 3215(g)(4).
A new section 622.19 is adopted to describe the mediation process after an enforcement proceeding has been commenced.
Nonsubstantive change to 6 NYCRR 622.10(d)(1)
Subdivision 622.10(d) provides procedures to appeal from a ruling of an administrative law judge during the pendency of a proceeding and following an adjudicatory hearing. Nonsubstantive changes were made to 6 NYCRR 622.10(d)(1) to clarify when an appeal must be served and filed following an adjudicatory hearing and when responses to an appeal must be served and filed.
Parts 620 and 624 Summary
The definitions in Parts 620 and 624 have been amended to be consistent with the definitions in Part 622. In addition, the Office of Hearings was amended to Office of Hearings and Mediation Services throughout Part 624.
Nonsubstantive changes to 6 NYCRR 624.1(a)(6)
Paragraph 624.1(a)(6) describes the applicability of Part 624 to permits not covered by Environmental Conservation Law Article 70, Uniform Procedures Act. In response to a comment regarding the proposed amendment of the paragraph, nonsubstantive changes were made to 6 NYCRR 624.1(a)(6) to return the coverage of the paragraph to its original content and maintain the regulatory standard.
Part 621 Summary
Subdivisions 6 NYCRR 621.10(a), 621.11(g) and 621.13(d) have been amended to require that a copy of a written request for a hearing made pursuant to those subdivisions be provided to the Chief Administrative Law Judge.
Office of Hearings and Mediation Services
625 Broadway
Albany, NY 12233