66 S T A T. ]
PUBLIC LAW 554-JULY 16, 1952
shall be subject to the same provisions with respect to rehearing as an original order." SEC. 16. (a) Section 409(a) of such Act is amended to read as follows: "SEC. 409. (a) In every case of adjudication (as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act) which has been designated for a hearing by the Commission, the hearing shall be conducted by the Commission or by one or more examiners provided for in section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act, designated by the Commission. " (b) The officer or officers conducting a hearing to which subsecticm (a) applies shall prepare and file an initial decision, except where the hearing officer becomes unavailable to the Commission or where the Commission finds upon the record that due and timely execution of its functions imperatively and unavoidably require that the record be certified to the Commission for initial or final decision. In all such cases the Commission shall permit the filing of exceptions to such initial decision by any party to the proceeding and shall, upon request, hear oral argument on such exceptions before the entry of any final decision, order, or requirement. All decisions, including the initial decision, shall become a part of the record and shall include a statement of (1) findings and conclusions, as well as the basis therefor, upon all material issues of fact, law, or discretion, presented on the record; and (2) the appropriate decision, order, or requirement. "(c)(1) In any case of adjudication (as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act) which has been designated for a hearing by the Commission, no examiner conducting or participating in the conduct of such hearing shall, except to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law, consult any person (except another examiner participating in the conduct of such hearing) on any fact or question of law in issue, unless upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. In the performance of his duties, no such examiner shall be responsible to or subject to the supervision or direction of any person engaged in the performance of investigative, prosecutory, or other functions for the Commission or any other agency of the Government. No examiner conducting or participating in the conduct of any such hearing shall advise or consult with the Commission or any member or employee of the Commission (except another examiner participating in the conduct of such hearing) with respect to the initial decision in the case or with respect to exceptions taken to the findings, rulings, or recommendations made in such case. "(2) I n any case of adjudication (as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act) which has been designated for a hearing by the Commission, no person who has participated in the presentation or preparation for presentation of such case before an examiner or examiners or the Commission, and no member of the Office of the General Counsel, the Office of the Chief Engineer, or the Office of the Chief Accountant shall (except to the extent required for the disposition of ex parte matters as authorized by law) directly or indirectly make any additional presentation respecting such case, unless upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. "(3) No person or persons engaged in the performance of investigative or prosecuting functions for the Commission, or in any litigation before any court in any case arising under this Act, shall advise, consult, or participate in any case of adjudication (as defined in the Administrative Procedure Act) which has been designated for a hearing by the Commission, except as a witness or counsel in public pioceedings.
721
47 USC 409. lulcTibo^note
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