Sec. 29.06.02.01. Hearings—Contested Cases Before the State Fire Prevention Commission

A. Appeals.

(1) When a person is aggrieved by an order or decision of the State Fire Marshal, made in the course of the administration or enforcement of the State Fire Prevention Code and Public Safety Article, Title 6, Annotated Code of Maryland, the person shall file within 20 days a written petition of appeal with the State Fire Prevention Commission, setting forth the reason for the appeal.

(2) The 20-day period during which an appeal may be taken begins on the date the notice of the Fire Marshal's order or decision was received by the person or agent in accordance with Public Safety Article, §6-319, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(3) The original petition for appeal and nine copies of it shall be filed with the State Fire Prevention Commission, 12 Jonathan Street, Suite 100, Hagerstown, MD 21740.

B. Upon receipt of the petition for appeal, the secretary to the State Fire Prevention Commission shall mail a copy of the petition for appeal to each member of the Commission. The appellant shall be notified of the time and date of the hearing before the Commission at least 10 days before the hearing. At the hearing, there shall be at least five members of the Commission present, one of which shall be either the chairman or the vice-chairman.

C. Before the hearing and upon specific written request of any party or counsel, in accordance with Public Safety Article, §6-502, Annotated Code of Maryland, the State Fire Marshal may furnish for copying at the State Fire Marshal's office documents or other material in the State Fire Marshal's files relating to the matter at issue. Upon written request, the State Fire Marshal shall furnish the names of witnesses who have personal knowledge of matters material to the matter at issue.

D. The Commission shall provide for transcription of the hearing by electronic recording device or by a stenographer.

E. At the hearing, the State Fire Marshal, or the State Fire Marshal's agent or attorney, shall present to the Commission the evidence upon which the decision or order was based. The other party or counsel may cross-examine witnesses. The party aggrieved shall then present witnesses to testify, subject to cross-examination, and other evidence relative to the matter at issue. The State Fire Marshal and the party aggrieved shall be permitted to present:

(1) Additional evidence at any time during the hearing; and

(2) Oral arguments at the close of all of the evidence.

F. Upon request of a party, a party's counsel, or State Fire Marshal personnel, the Commission may postpone the hearing for any reason.

G. Unless the hearing is postponed, failure to appear at the time and place designated in the notice shall be deemed a default on the part of a party.

H. A decision shall be rendered by the Commission within 30 days of the hearing. Within that time the Commission shall notify all parties in writing of the decision. The decision shall be mailed to the last known address of each party. The mailing of the decision by the Commission is prima facie evidence of notification to a party of the Commission's decision.