SECTION 40:1-1-5. Rules of practice for individual proceedings

(a)   General policies. This Section applies to Orders formulated by the Board and to Individual Proceedings of the Board, where those terms have the respective meaning set forth in Title 75, O.S., Section 250.3. In formulating orders or conducting individual proceedings, the Board shall act in compliance with the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act, and other applicable provisions of law, and otherwise in accordance with procedure and practices determined or designated by the Board.

(b)   Declaratory rulings and other orders. Declaratory rulings as to the applicability of any Rule and Regulation or other order of the Board may be commenced and issued by the Board on its own initiative. Other orders, constituting all or part of an intermediate or final decision, and whether affirmative, negative, injunctive or declaratory in form [in matters other than rule-making and the exceptions provided for in 75 O.S., Section 250.3(17)] may also be made and issued by the Board on its own initiative. Any interested party may also petition the Board, in accordance with procedures set forth hereinafter, to make and issue a declaratory ruling, or to amend any such declaratory ruling, or to make and issue any other order as defined in this Section. The Board will afford all interested parties reasonable opportunity to request a declaratory ruling or other order and to submit views, data, information, or arguments in support of such a request.

(c)   Petitions for declaratory rulings and other orders. Petitions to the Board for declaratory rulings or other orders, other than matters taken up by the Board on its own intiative, shall be in the following form and contain the following information:

(1)   Petitions must be submitted in legible typewritten form, with the original copy submitted, and shall be submitted in person or by mail to the State Director of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence at the Board's principal Administrative Office.

(2)   Petitions must clearly identify the submitting party or parties by name, address, official title, and complete business address; and must include a clear statement reflecting the interest of the submitter(s) in such petition and the action to which it pertains, and the real party(ies) of interest if submission is by an agent or attorney.

(3)   Every petition must clearly state that such petition is (a) for promulgation of a declaratory ruling as to applicability of any Rule and Regulation or order of the Board (which Rule and Regulation or other order shall be clearly and fully identified), or (b) for promulgation of any other order. A given petition may pertain to only one requested declaratory ruling or other order, and individual petitions are required for requested declaratory rulings or other orders on separate subjects.

(4)   If the petition requests a declaratory ruling on a Rule and Regulation or any other order of the Board, the complete verbatim text of the existing rule or order language shall be included in the petition, together with the exact inquiry relating thereto. If the petition pertains to promulgation of a new order or amendment of an existing order, the petition shall set forth in clear itemized form the specific detailed matter(s) which the Board is asked to consider and the action(s) the Board is requested to take.

(5)   All petitions must clearly and separately state the factual basis, reason, legal grounds, and public policy and technical justifications for each action requested of the Board. All available supporting documents, records, studies, and information bearing on the issue and available to the petitioner(s) must accompany the petition. The petition shall also contain or be accompanied by the names and addresses of all persons known to the petitioner(s) who are concerned with the subject matter of the petition.

(6)   Petitions must be signed and endorsed by all petitioning parties, or their authorized legal representative(s); and such signature(s) and endorsement(s) must be duly attested to by a notary public.

(d)   Action on petitions. All petitions shall be examined to determine whether the procedural requirements have been met and whether the facts, justifications and other submissions afford a reasonable basis for the requested declaratory ruling, other order, or other individual proceeding. Petitions found to be not in proper form or lacking the necessary reasonable basis for consideration by the Board will be returned to the submitter(s). Petitioner(s) will be notified whether and, if so, when the Board will consider a given petition. Action on accepted petitions will be considered by the Board at a regularly scheduled meeting or at a special meeting, as appropriate. If a petition for a declaratory ruling, other order, or other individual proceeding by the Board is accepted, the proposed action(s) shall thereafter be treated by the Board in full accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act. The Board may, in its discretion, refuse to make and issue a declaratory ruling or other order.

(e)   Costs associated with Individual proceedings. If any party or parties in an individual proceeding before the Board desire and request stenographic or other recording of any hearing and the transcription into a written record of any such recording, the Board will make arrangements for such recording and transcription by a certified court reporter, upon written request for such action received by the Board not less than ten (10) days before the hearing date, and upon receipt of an appropriate cash deposit in an amount to be determined by the Chairman of the Board or by the State Director of Tests for Alcohol and Drug Influence. A copy of any resulting written record of such hearings(s) shall be provided to the Board at the expense of the party or parties requesting such written record.

(f)   Hearings. All hearings required in connection with individual proceedings by this Board shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of the Oklahoma Administrative Procedures Act, and otherwise in accordance with procedures and practices determined or designated by the Board.

[Source: Amended at 33 Ok Reg 1185, eff 9-11-16; Amended at 36 Ok Reg 1513, eff 9-14-19]