Wyoming Administrative Code Agency 270 - Administrative Hearings, Office of
Here’s a detailed overview of the Wyoming Administrative Code — Agency 270: Office of Administrative Hearings (OAH):
🏛️ Establishment & Mission
Statutory foundation: Created under Wyoming Statutes sections 9‑2‑2201 through 9‑2‑2203, the OAH conducts contested-case hearings for state agencies—handling disciplinary matters, workers’ compensation disputes, driver’s license appeals, welfare benefit contests, and more (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
Purpose: Ensures fair, impartial, and timely resolution of administrative disputes statewide, including alternatives like mediation and arbitration (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
🗂️ Scope & Case Types
The OAH handles cases referred from across state agencies, including:
Workers’ compensation disputes (Department of Employment) (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
Driver’s license actions (suspensions, revocations—Dept. of Transportation) .
Welfare benefits, Medicaid waivers, abuse registry entries, and other agency-initiated actions (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
State employee disciplinary hearings (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
Alternative dispute mechanisms (mediation, arbitration) by referral (casetext.com).
⚙️ Organizational Structure
Director and Hearing Examiners: OAH employs a director in Cheyenne, two full-time hearing examiners, six part-time examiners across regional offices, plus supporting staff (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
Regional presence: Offices in Powell, Casper, Gillette, Lander, Rock Springs, and Evanston ensure statewide coverage (wyomingdigitalcollections.ptfs.com).
Funding: Funded via service fees—55% from Employment Dept., 45% from Transportation Dept. .
📘 Administrative Code & Procedures
Codified as Agency 270, Subagency 0001 in the Wyoming Admin Code, Chapter 2 outlines core contested-case processes. Key provisions include:
§2‑1 to §2‑3: Authority, scope, definitions (law.cornell.edu).
§2‑4: Encourages informal resolution and ADR (wyoleg.gov).
§2‑5 to §2‑6: Commencement of hearings and referrals (law.cornell.edu).
§2‑8 to §2‑13: Appointment of hearing officers, filings, motions, and scheduling (law.cornell.edu).
§2‑17 to §2‑19: Discovery, subpoenas, and summary disposition processes .
§2‑21 & §2‑22: Burden of proof; evidentiary standards .
§2‑23: Hearing hearings order and procedures—e.g., burden-presenting party, cross-examination, rebuttal .
§2‑27 & §2‑28: Recommended and final decisions issued to referring agency and parties .
📄 Procedural Highlights (§2‑23)
The hearing officer sets the hearing structure and may allow opening/closing arguments.
The party bearing the burden presents first, followed by cross-examination, rebuttal, and surrebuttal at the officer’s discretion (regulations.justia.com).
✅ Summary
The Office of Administrative Hearings (Agency 270) functions as Wyoming’s centralized and independent adjudicator for administrative disputes. It operates under a well-defined code (Ch. 2, Subagency 0001), employs both full-time and regional staff, and emphasizes fairness, impartiality, and efficiency. Its reach spans numerous areas—from worker’s comp to driver’s license appeals—with robust procedures for hearings, evidence, and decisions.
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