605 KAR 1:131 - Procedures

RELATES TO: KRS 190.058, 190.062

NECESSITY, FUNCTION, AND CONFORMITY: KRS 190.058 authorizes the Motor Vehicle Commission to adopt procedures to carry out the functions and duties conferred upon it by KRS Chapter 190. This administrative regulation establishes the proper form of procedure and practice before the Motor Vehicle Commission.

Section 1. Hearings. Hearings shall be conducted as established in this administrative regulation and KRS Chapter 13B. All testimony shall be transcribed.

Section 2. Appearances. A licensee who is a natural person may appear and be heard in person, or with or by a duly appointed attorney. A licensee that is an artificial entity shall be represented only by an attorney licensed or authorized to practice in Kentucky.

Section 3. Additional Hearings. The commission may, on its own motion, prior to its determination, require an additional hearing. Notice to all interested parties establishing the date of the hearing shall be given in writing by the executive director.

Section 4. Briefs. Briefs may be filed as a matter of right. All briefs shall be concise and shall be typewritten or printed. The time allowed for filing briefs shall be designated by the hearing officer.

Section 5. Continuances. Continuances shall be granted if a continuance is in the interest of justice and if requested at least forty-eight (48) hours in advance of the hearing date.

Section 6. Depositions. Depositions may be taken only when authorized by the hearing officer. The provisions of the Civil Rules governing the taking of depositions shall be applicable.

Section 7.

(1) Except as otherwise provided by KRS Chapter 13B, the rules of evidence governing civil proceedings in the courts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky shall govern hearings before the commission, unless the hearing officer relaxes the rules if the ends of justice will be better served by so doing.

(2) Judicial notice.

(a) If called to the attention of the hearing officer, judicial notice may be taken of any matter situated in the files of the commission, the Department of Revenue or the Transportation Cabinet, any action pending that involves the commission, or other matters of which a court of Kentucky may take judicial notice.

(b) A brief statement recognizing the matter shall be made in the transcript by the hearing officer.

Section 8. Ex Parte Contacts. A person shall not have ex parte contact with any member of the commission regarding any matter pending before the commission for review prior to final decision. A person in violation of this Section shall be identified on the record to the commission and any information provided through the ex parte contact shall be stricken from the commission's records and disregarded.

Section 9. Service of Motions, Pleadings. Copies of all motions and pleadings shall be served upon all interested parties, in addition to filing the required copies before the commission.

Section 10. Notices. A notice of a hearing sent by certified mail to the business address of the licensee shown on the latest application for a license shall be sufficient notice.

Section 11. Subpoenas and Subpoena Duces Tecum.

(1) The party desiring a subpoena shall make application at least five (5) days before the hearing date with the executive director of the commission.

(2) The application shall be in writing, and shall state the name and address of each witness required.

(3) If evidence other than oral testimony is required, such as documents or written data, the application shall establish the specific matter to be produced and sufficient facts to indicate that the matter is reasonably necessary to establish the cause of action or defense of the applicant.

Section 12. Costs of Hearing.

(1) If the commission, by issuance of a final order, finds that a violation has been committed by a licensee, or upholds the recommendation of the hearing officer in a matter involving an applicant for a motor vehicle dealer license, the commission may assess to the licensee or the applicant the fee charged to the commission for the transcription of the record and the fee charged by the hearing officer.

(2) If the hearing officer or the commission finds that the hearing has been held as a result of an allegation or charge lacking substantial merit, or if the hearing officer or commission finds that a party to the hearing has materially delayed or increased the cost of the hearing through its actions, the commission shall assess to the party bringing the allegation or causing the delay, the fee charged to the commission for transcription of the record and the fee charged by the hearing officer.

(3) The fee assessed for the transcription of the record and for the hearing officer shall be the actual costs charged to the commission for that particular hearing, and may be assessed in addition to any fine levied by the commission.

Notes

605 KAR 1:131

48 Ky.R. 1678, 2207; eff. 2-16-2022.

STATUTORY AUTHORITY: KRS 190.020, 190.058, 190.062