# 46 C.F.R. § 221.71 (2026): Hearing Officer referral

> Federal · Regulations · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_71

## Section

- **Citation:** 46 C.F.R. § 221.71 (2026)
- **Heading:** Hearing Officer referral
- **Jurisdiction:** Federal
- **Kind:** Regulations
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** Title 46 CFR: Shipping / Chapter II: MARITIME ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION / Part 221: REGULATED TRANSACTIONS INVOLVING DOCUMENTED VESSELS AND OTHER MARITIME INTERESTS / Subpart E: Civil Penalties / § 221.71: § 221.71   Hearing Officer referral.

## Text

If, pursuant to § 221.67(b)(2) of this subpart, a Party elects to have the matter referred to a Hearing Officer, the Vessel Transfer Officer may—
(a) Decide not to proceed with penalty action, close the case, and notify the Party in writing that the case has been closed; or
(b) Refer the matter to a Hearing Officer with the case file and a record of any prior violations by the Party.

## Nearby sections

- [46 C.F.R. § 221.61 (2026) § 221.61   Compliance.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_61.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.63 (2026) § 221.63   Investigation.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_63.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.65 (2026) § 221.65   Criteria for determining penalty.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_65.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.67 (2026) § 221.67   Stipulation procedure.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_67.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.69 (2026) § 221.69   Hearing Officer.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_69.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.71 (2026) § 221.71   Hearing Officer referral.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_71.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.73 (2026) § 221.73   Initial Hearing Officer consideration.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_73.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.75 (2026) § 221.75   Response by party.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_75.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.77 (2026) § 221.77   Disclosure of evidence.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_77.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.79 (2026) § 221.79   Request for confidential treatment.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_79.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.81 (2026) § 221.81   Counsel.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_81.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.83 (2026) § 221.83   Witnesses.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_83.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.85 (2026) § 221.85   Hearing procedures.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_85.md)
- [46 C.F.R. § 221.87 (2026) § 221.87   Records.](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_87.md)

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Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/CFR_T46_P221_S221_71. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.