# 10 C.F.R. § 708.21 (2026): Referral to the Office of Hearings and Appeals

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_21

## Section

- **Citation:** 10 C.F.R. § 708.21 (2026)
- **Heading:** Referral to the Office of Hearings and Appeals
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 10 CFR: Energy / Chapter III: DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY / Part 708: DOE CONTRACTOR EMPLOYEE PROTECTION PROGRAM / Subpart C: Investigation, Hearing, and Decision Process / § 708.21: § 708.21   Referral to the Office of Hearings and Appeals.

## Text

(a) If a complaint is not dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or other good cause, the Head of Field Element or EC Director (as applicable) will forward the complaint to the OHA Director by the later of:
(1) The 25th day after receipt of the employer's response, or
(2) The 5th day after receipt of an order to continue processing the complaint following an appeal of dismissal.
(b) The Head of the Field Element or EC Director (as applicable) will notify all parties that the complaint has been referred to the Office of Hearings and Appeals.
(c) The OHA Director and an Administrative Judge appointed to preside over any aspect of a part 708 proceeding are prohibited, beginning with the complaint's referral to the OHA and until a final agency decision is issued, from initiating or otherwise engaging in
ex parte
discussions with any party on the merits of the complaint.
(d) In all proceedings under this subpart:
(1) The parties have the right to be represented by a person of their choosing or to proceed without representation. The parties are responsible for producing witnesses on their behalf, including requesting the issuance of subpoenas, if necessary;
(2) Formal rules of evidence do not apply, but the OHA may use the Federal Rules of Evidence as a guide.

## Nearby sections

- [10 C.F.R. § 708.21 (2026) § 708.21   Referral to the Office of Hearings and Appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_21.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.22 (2026) § 708.22   Investigation of complaints.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_22.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.23 (2026) § 708.23   Time to issue a report of investigation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_23.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.24 (2026) § 708.24   Hearings not required.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_24.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.25 (2026) § 708.25   Appointment of Administrative Judge.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_25.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.26 (2026) § 708.26   Time and location of hearings.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_26.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.27 (2026) § 708.27   The Administrative Judge may not require that the parties participate in alternative dispute resolution.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_27.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.28 (2026) § 708.28   Hearing procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_28.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.29 (2026) § 708.29   Burdens of proof.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_29.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.30 (2026) § 708.30   Timing for issuing an initial agency decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_30.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.31 (2026) § 708.31   Procedure for issuing an initial agency decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_31.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.32 (2026) § 708.32   Appealing an initial agency decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_32.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.33 (2026) § 708.33   Procedure for appeals.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_33.md)
- [10 C.F.R. § 708.34 (2026) § 708.34   Procedure for issuing an appeal decision.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_34.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T10_P708_S708_21. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.