HomeMy WebLinkAboutMerit Appeals Board Rules94
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE II - RULES OF THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
CHAPTER 100
RULES OF GENERAL APPLICABILITY
§ 100-1 Purpose
§ 100-2 Construction
§ 100-3 Limitation of jurisdiction
§ 100-4 Definitions
§ 100-5 Board office
§ 100-6 Meetings
§ 100-7 Quorum, number of votes necessary to validate acts
§ 100-8 Minutes of meetings
§ 100-9 Administration
§ 100-10 Documents; records
§ 100-11 Performance evaluation
§100-1 Purpose.
Chapters 100-104 of these rules govern practice and procedure before
the Merit Appeals Board of the County of Hawaii under the authority of §7-1.4,
Hawaii County Charter, and Hawaii Revised Statutes §§76-14 and 76-47.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 100-2 Construction.
The rules shall be liberally construed to secure the just and timely
determination of every proceeding.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 100-3 Limitation of jurisdiction.
The jurisdiction of the Merit Appeals Board is limited to those matters
covered by the provisions of Hawaii Revised Statutes §§76-14, 76-41, and 76-47.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-14, 76-47,
91-2)
§ 100-4 Definitions.
As used in Title II:
95
�^ "Appointing authority" shall be defined as in Hawai'i Revised Statutes
§76-11.
"Board" means the Merit Appeals Board.
"Chair" or "chairperson" means the Chairperson of the Merit Appeals
Board.
"Chief executive" shall be as defined in Hawaii Revised Statutes §76-11.
"Hearing" means any proceeding governed by Hawaii Revised Statutes
§§91-8 and 91-9.
"Meeting" means the convening of the Board for which a quorum is
required in order to deliberate and make decisions on matters over which the
Board has supervision, control, jurisdiction, or advisory power, and Hawai'i
Revised Statutes §§91-8 and 91-9.
"Party" means each person or agency named or admitted as a party or
properly seeking and entitled as of right to be admitted as a party in an agency
proceeding.
"Presiding officer" means the Chairperson or any person designated as
presiding officer by the Chairperson.
"Person" means individuals, partnerships, corporations, associations, or
public or private organizations of any character other than county
governmental agencies.
"Proceedings" means the Board's elucidation of the relevant facts and
applicable law, consideration thereof, and action thereupon with respect to a
particular subject within the Board's jurisdiction, initiated by a party's filing or
submittal or request or the Board's notice or order, including matters involving
the adoption, amendment, or repeal of any rule of the Board, whether initiated
by the Board order or notice, or by petition of an interested person.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-14, 76-47, 76-75,
and 91-2)
§ 100-5 Board office.
(a) The office of the Board is at Hilo, Hawai'i. All communications to
the Board shall be addressed to:
County of Hawai'i
Merit Appeals Board
101 Pauahi Street, Suite No. 2
Hilo, Hawai'i 96720
al
unless otherwise specifically directed by the Board or its authorized
representative.
(b) The office of the Board shall be open 7:45 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.,
Monday through Friday, unless otherwise provided by statute.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 100-6 Meetings.
(a) Regular meetings of the Board shall be on the third Wednesday of
every month, beginning at 9:30 a.m. in the conference room of the
Department of Human Resources or at such other day, time, and
place as specified by the Board.
(b) Written public notice of regular and special meetings shall be given
as provided in Hawai'i County Charter § 13-20 and Hawai'i Revised
Statutes §92-7 to the extent applicable.
(c) Special meetings may be called by the Chairperson pursuant to
Hawaii County Charter § 13-20.
[Eff. 09-28-02; am 07-10-03; am ] (Auth: HRS §76-47, 91-2; Hawaii County
Charter§13-20) (Imp: HRS §§76-47,91-2, 92-3,92-3.1, 92-3.5, 92-4, and 92-5;
Hawai'i County Charter § 13-20)
§ 100-7 Quorum; number of votes necessary to validate acts.
The quorum and number of votes necessary to validate acts of the Board
shall be as prescribed in Hawai'i Revised Statutes §92-15 and Hawai'i County
Charter § 13-4.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2,
92-3, 92-4, 92.5; Hawaii County Charter § 13-4)
§ 100-8 Minutes of meetings.
The Board shall keep written minutes as prescribed in Hawaii Revised
Statutes §92-9.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
92-9)
§ 100-9 Administration.
(a) The Chairperson shall be responsible for the administrative functions
of the Board.
(b) All decisions, orders, and other actions of the Board shall be
authenticated or signed by the members of the Board acting in
97
such proceeding or by the Chairperson upon delegation by the
members of the Board acting in the proceeding.
(c) Official copies of decisions, orders, and other Board actions may
be promulgated under the signature of the Chairperson or the
Chairperson's delegate.
(d) The Board may delegate to any competent and qualified
individual such power or authority vested in the Board as it deems
reasonable and proper for the effective administration of Hawai'i
Revised Statutes, Chapter 76, except the power to make, amend,
or repeal rules.
(e) The Board may appoint a competent and qualified disinterested
person to act as its hearings officer.
(1) The hearings officer shall hear any matter assigned to the
officer by the Board in the same manner as if it were before
the Board.
(2) Upon the conclusion of any hearing conducted by the
hearings officer, the hearings officer shall transmit a record
of the hearing, including a recording or transcript and
summary of evidence taken at the hearing, along with a
recommended disposition of the matter.
(3) After review of the materials submitted by the hearings
officer, the Board shall render a decision on the matter
pursuant to Hawai'i Revised Statutes §91-1 1.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-9, 91-11)
§ 100-10 Documents; records.
(a) All documents required to be filed with the Board shall be filed in
the office of the Board within the time limits prescribed by laws,
rules, or order of the Board.
(b) Requests for public information, copies of official documents, or
opportunity to inspect public records may be made in writing to
the Board, by telephone, or may be made in person at the Board's
office. Requests shall be taken care of as expeditiously as possible.
(c) Records of the Board shall be made available to the public as may
be required by Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 92F.
(d) All Board records are available for inspection in the Board's Office,
Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. to 4:30
p.m., except holidays.
(e) Copies of Board records shall be made available to persons
requesting the copies upon payment of the appropriate fees
prescribed by law or rules.
(f) Any person denied the right to information or copies of Board
records may appeal the denial in accordance with Hawai'i
Revised Statutes, Chapter 92F.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 92F-18) (Imp: HRS §§76-47,
91-2, 92-3, 92-4, 92-5, 92-21, 92F-12, 92F-13, 92F-15, 92F-15.5, 92F-21, 92F-23, 92F-27,
and 92F-27.5; Hawaii County Charter § 13-20)
§ 100-11 Performance evaluation.
(a) The Board shall evaluate the performance of the director of human
resources on a fiscal year basis, i.e., July of one year to June of the
next. The annual evaluation shall be held during the Board's June
meeting of each year.
(b) At its annual evaluation, the Board will review and reach an
understanding with the director of human resources on the Board's
expectations and the standards upon which it will evaluate the
director's performance for the next evaluation period.
(c) The evaluation shall be either "meets expectations" or "does not
meet expectations." The Board, at its annual evaluation meeting,
shall explain to the director as to how expectations have or have
not been met.
[Eff. 07/10/03; am ] (Auth: Hawaii County Charter § 13-4(j)) (Imp:
Hawai'i County Charter §7-1.3; HRS §76-75)
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE II - RULES OF THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
CHAPTER 101
PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE BOARD
§101-1
General provisions
§101-2
Appearances and practices before the Board
§101-3
Disqualification of Board member or hearings officer
§101-4
Consolidation
§101-5
Filing of documents
§101-6
Amendment, removal, or withdrawal of documents
§101-7
Retention of documents
§101-8
Computation of time
§101-9
Continuances or extensions of time
§101-10
Service of process
§101-11
Board decision
11.1 § 101-1 General provisions.
(a) The Board may, upon the petition of any interested person or
agency of the federal, state, or county government, hold
proceedings as it may deem necessary in the performance of its
duties or the formulation if its rules.
(b) Procedures to be followed by the Board shall, unless specifically
prescribed herein or by Hawai'i Revised Statues, Chapter 91, or by
any other statute or law, and as in the opinion of the Board, be that
as will best serve the purpose of the proceedings.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2)
§ 10 1 -2 Appearances and practices before the Board.
(a) A public employee may appear in the employee's own behalf; an
employee organization may be represented by a person or persons
duly designated and authorized by the employee organization,
and a public employer may appear on its own behalf or through a
person or persons duly designated and authorized by the
employer.
(b) In any proceeding under these rules, any public employee,
�—� employee organization, or public employer may be represented by
counselor any other person to whom the employee has given
written or verbal authority.
100
(c) When an individual acting in a representative capacity appears in
person or signs a paper in practice before the Board, the
individual's personal appearance or signature shall constitute a
representation to the Board that, under the provisions of these rules
and the law, the individual is authorized and qualified to represent
the particular person on whose behalf the individual acts. The
Board may at any time require any person transacting business with
the Board in a representative capacity to show the individual's
authority and qualification to act in such capacity.
(d) No individual who has been associated with the Board as a
member, officer, employee, or counsel shall be permitted to
appear before the Board on behalf of or to represent any party in
connection with any proceeding or matter that the individual has
handled or passed upon while associated in any capacity with the
Board.
(e) No person or agency appearing before the Board in any
proceeding or matter shall, in relation thereto, knowingly accept
the assistance from and compensate any individual who would be
barred by subsection (d).
(f) No person who has been associated with the Board as a member,
officer, employee, or counsel thereof shall be permitted to appear
before the Board on behalf of, or to represent in any manner, any
person or agency in connection with any proceeding or matter
that was pending before the Board at the time of the person's
association, unless the person first obtains written consent of the
Board. Written consent shall be given only upon verified showing
that the person did not give personal consideration to the matter
or proceeding as to which consent is sought or gain particular
knowledge of the facts thereof during the person's association with
the Board.
(g) Subsections (d) through (f) shall not apply to any individual or
agency who has terminated the association with the Board for a
period of one year.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 10 1 -3 Disgualification of Board member or hearings officer.
(a) Any party to a hearing may, no later than five days before the
proceeding, file an affidavit that one or more of the Board
members or a hearings officer has a personal bias or prejudice. For
good cause, as determined by the Board, the time limitation for
filing may be waived by a majority of all the members to which the
Board is entitled.
101
(b) Every affidavit shall state the facts and reasons for the belief that
bias or prejudice exists.
(c) The Board member or hearings officer against whom the affidavit is
so filed may answer the affidavit or may file a disqualifying
statement with the Board.
(1) If the Board member or hearings officer chooses to answer
the affidavit, the remaining Board members shall decide by
a majority of all the members to which the Board is entitled,
whether that Board member or hearings officer should be
disqualified from proceeding therein.
(2) Any Board member or hearings officer may disqualify
him/herself by filing with the Chairperson a statement that
the Board member or hearings officer deems him/herself
unable to impartially preside over the pending hearing.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
§ 10 1 -4 Consolidation.
(a) The Board, upon its own initiative or upon motion, may consolidate
for hearing or for other purposes, or may contemporaneously
consider two or more proceedings that involve substantially the
same parties or issues that are the same or closely related, if it finds
that a consolidation or contemporaneous hearing will be
conducive to the proper dispatch of its business and will not unduly
delay the proceedings.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
§101-5 Filing of documents.
(a) All requests, appeals, pleadings, submittals, petitions, reports, maps,
exceptions, briefs, memoranda, and other papers required to be
filed with the Board in any proceeding shall be filed at the Board's
office within the time limits prescribed by law, rules, or orders of the
Board. The date on which the papers are received, if hand
delivered, or postmarked, if delivered by mail, shall be regarded as
the date of filing.
(b) All requests and appeals filed with the Board shall be:
/1-- (1) written in ink, typewritten, mimeographed or printed;
(2) plainly legible;
102
(3) on strong, durable paper no larger than 8-1/2 X 11 inches in
size, except that maps, charts, tables, and other like
documents may be larger, folded to the size of the papers
to which they are attached.
(c) All documents requiring signature must be signed in ink. The
signature of the person signing the document constitutes a
certification that
(1) the person has read the document;
(2) to the best of the person's knowledge, information, and
beliefs, every statement contained in the document(s) is true
and no statement is misleading, and that it is not interposed
for delay.
(d) All documents filed in any proceeding shall state on the first page
thereof, the name, mailing address and telephone number, if any,
of the individual or individuals who may be served with any
documents filed in the proceeding.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
§ 10 1 -6 Amendment; removal or withdrawal of documents.
(a) If any document filed with the Board is not in substantial
conformance with law or rules, the Board may, on its own motion or
on motion of any party, remove the document from the record or
require its amendment. If amended, the document shall be
effective as of the date of the receipt of the amendment.
(b) The Board may permit the withdrawal of original documents upon
submission of properly authenticated copies to replace the
documents.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
§ 10 1 -7 Retention of documents.
All documents filed with the Board shall be retained for no more than five
years unless otherwise prescribed by law.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
/I-- § 101-8 Computation of time.
(a) In computing any period of time, the day of any act, event, or
103
default, after which the designated period of time is to run, is not to
be included.
(b) The last day of the period to be computed is to be included, unless
the last day is a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday in the State of
Hawaii. In this event, the next day which is neither a Saturday,
Sunday, nor holiday shall be considered the last day.
(c) When computing time periods of less than 10 days, Saturdays,
Sundays, and holidays shall not be included in the computation of
time.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, and 91-8)
§ 10 1 -9 Continuances or extensions of time.
(a) The Board may, for good cause as determined by the Board, allow
continuances or extensions of time for any action for which a time
limitation is prescribed.
(b) The allowed continuance or extension shall be allowed only upon
motion and the concurrence of a majority of all the members to
which the Board is entitled.
(c) Notwithstanding subsections (a) and (b), time limitations prescribed
by law shall not be waived, unless the law itself provides for a
waiver.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-6, and 91-8)
§ 101-10 Service of process.
(a) The Board shall cause to be served all orders, notices and other
papers issued by it, together with any other papers that it is
required by law to serve. All other papers shall be served by the
parties filing them.
(b) All papers served by either the Board or any party shall be served
upon all parties or their counsel.
(c) Except as provided in subsection (d), service of papers shall be
made personally or, unless otherwise provided by law, by first-class
mail. If service is by mail, service shall be complete upon deposit in
the United States mail, properly stamped, and properly addressed
to the parties involved.
(d) Decisions and orders of the Board in contested case hearings shall
be served as prescribed in Hawaii Revised Statutes §91-12.
104
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§101-11 Board decision.
(a) All final orders, opinions, or rulings entered by the Board shall be
served upon the parties participating in the proceeding.
(b) Service shall be by regular mail or personal delivery by the Board.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8) (Imp:
H RS§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-6, 91-8)
105
J DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE II - RULES OF THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
CHAPTER 102
RULEMAKING
§ 102-1 Initiation of rulemaking proceedings
§ 102-2 Board action on petition
§ 102-3 Procedure for adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules
§ 103-3 Public hearing
§ 102-5 Board action
§ 102-6 Emergency rulemaking
§ 102-7 Filing, effective date of rules
§ 102-8 Publication of rules
§ 102-1 Initiation of rulemaking proceedings.
(a) The Board may on its own motion initiate proceedings for the
adoption, amendment, or repeal of any of its rules.
(b) Any person or agency may petition the Board for the adoption,
amendment, or repeal of any of the Board's rules. Petitions will be
a matter of public record, and shall:
(1) Conform to the requirements of § 101-5;
(2) Contain the name, address, telephone number, and
signature of each petitioner;
(3) Provide a draft of or substantively explain the proposed rule
or amendment, or shall designate the specific rule being
sought for repeal;
(4) Contain a statement of the petitioners' interest in the subject
matter;
(5) Contain a statement of the reasons in support of the
proposed rule, amendment, or repeal.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-3)
§ 102-2 Board action on petition.
(a) The Board shall, within thirty days after the filing of a petition
102-105
106
provided for in § 103-1, either deny the petition or initiate
appropriate proceedings.
(b) Petitions which do not conform to the requirements of subsection
(b) of § 103-1 shall be denied by the Board. The Board shall inform
the petitioner in writing of the denial, stating the reasons for the
denial.
(c) Any denial shall not prevent the Board from acting on its own
motion on any matter disclosed in the petition.
(d) Recourse for any denial shall be as provided in Hawaii Revised
Statutes, Chapter 91.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-3)
§ 102-3 Procedure for adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules.
Procedure for adoption, amendment, or repeal of rules shall be as
prescribed in Hawai'i Revised Statutes §§91-3,91-4, and 92-41.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-3)
§ 102-4 Public hearinca.
(a) Public hearing for the adoption, amendment or repeal of rules shall
be heard by the Board.
(b) The hearing shall afford all persons and agencies a reasonable
opportunity to offer testimony on the subject matter.
(c) The presiding officer shall have the authority to administer oaths or
affirmations and to take other actions necessary to conduct an
orderly hearing.
(d) Any continuance of a public hearing shall be granted by the
presiding officer only after notice is given at the published hearing
of the date, time, and place of the continued hearing.
(e) Testimonies received at the hearing shall not be recorded
verbatim. All supporting written statements, maps, charts,
tabulations, or similar data offered by persons at the hearing shall
become part of the public hearing record.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-3)
102-106
110'--
107
§ 102-5 Board action.
(a) The Board shall consider all relevant comments and material of
record before taking final action in a rulemaking proceeding.
(b) Final action shall be taken within sixty days after the final public
hearing.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-3)
§ 102-6 Emergency rulemaking.
Emergency rulemaking shall be as provided in Hawai'i Revised Statutes
§91-3(b).
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-3)
§ 102-7 Filing, effective date of rules.
The filing and effective date of rules shall be as prescribed in Hawai'i
Revised Statutes §91-4.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-4)
§ 102-8 Publication of rules.
The publication of rules shall be as prescribed in Hawai'i Revised Statutes
§91-5.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-5)
102-107
108
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE II - RULES OF THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
CHAPTER 103
DECLARATORY RULINGS
§ 103-1 Petition for declaratory ruling
§ 103-2 Petition form, contents, request for hearing
§ 103-3 Board action
§ 103-4 Applicability of order
§ 103-5 Declaratory ruling on Board's own motion
§ 103-6 Refusal to issue declaratory ruling
§ 103-1 Petition for declaratory ruling.
Any person or agency may petition the Board for a declaratory ruling as
to the applicability of any statutory provision or of any rule under the Board's
jurisdiction or of any order by the Board.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, and 91-8) (Imp: HRS
§ § 76-47, 91-2, 91-8)
§ 103-2 Petition form, contents; request for hearing.
(a) The petition shall conform to the requirements of § 101-5 of these
rules. The petition shall:
(1) Contain the name, address, telephone number, and
signature of each petitioner;
(2) Contain a designation of the specific provision, rule, or order
upon which a declaratory ruling is sought, together with a
statement of the controversy or uncertainty involved;
(3) Contain a statement of the petitioner's interest in the subject
matter; and
(4) A statement of the petitioner's position or contention in the
matter along with a memorandum of authorities, containing
a full discussion of reasons and legal authorities in support of
the petitioner's position or contention.
(b) Any petitioner or party of interest who desires a hearing on a
petition for a declaratory ruling shall set forth the specific reasons as
to why a hearing is necessary.
109
[Eff. 09/28/021 (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8)
§ 103-3 Board action.
(a) Within sixty days after the filing of any petition for declaratory ruling,
the Board shall either deny the petition and/or the request for
hearing, issue a declaratory ruling in writing, or set the matter for
hearing.
(b) Any denial shall be in writing and shall state the reasons for the
denial.
(c) If the Board orders a hearing, the hearing shall be conducted by
the provisions found in Hawai'i Revised Statutes §91-9.
(d) The Board may, without notice or hearing, dismiss a petition for
declaratory ruling if the petition does not conform to the
requirements of § 103-2.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8) (Imp: HRS §§76-47,
91-2,91-8)
§ 103-4 Applicability of order.
Any order disposing of a petition shall be applicable only to the factual
situation described in the petition or set forth in the order.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8) ( Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8)
§ 103-5 Declaratory ruling on Board's own motion.
Notwithstanding any other provisions of this chapter the Board may, upon
its own motion and without notice or hearing, issue a declaratory order to
terminate a controversy or to remove any uncertainty.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8) (Imp: HRS §§76-47,
91-2,91-8)
§ 103-6 Refusal to issue declaratory order.
(a) The Board may refuse to issue a declaratory order with specific
reasons being provided for the refusal. Reasons for refusing to issue
a declaratory order may include, but is not limited to the following:
(1) the question is speculative or purely hypothetical and does
not involve existing facts, or facts that can be expected to
exist in the near future;
r
110
(2) the petitioner's interest is not of the type that would give the
petitioner standing to maintain an action if the petitioner
were to seek judicial relief;
(3) the issuance of the declaratory order may affect the
interests of the Board in a litigation that is pending or may
reasonably be expected to arise; or
(4)
[Eff. 09/28/02; am
91-2, 91-8)"
the matter is not within the jurisdiction of the Board.
] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-8) (Imp: HRS §§76-47,
III
DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES
TITLE II - RULES OF THE MERIT APPEALS BOARD
CHAPTER 104
APPEALS
§ 104-1
Appeals to the Board
§ 104-2
Filing of appeal
§ 104-3
Jurisdiction
§ 104-4
Mediation
§ 104-5
Hearing
§ 104-6
Hearing notice
§ 104-7
Time and place of hearing
§ 104-8
Continuances
§ 104-9
Disqualification
§ 104-10
Record of hearing
§ 104-11
Subpoenas
§ 104-12
Witness/deposition fees
§ 104-13
Oath
§ 104-14
Order of hearing
§ 104-15
Submission of testimony
§ 104-16
Judicial notice
§ 104-17
Additional evidence
§ 104-18
Close of hearing
§ 104-19
Decisions and orders
§ 104-20
Appeal of decisions and orders
§ 104-21
Counsel
§ 104-1 Appeals to the Board.
(a) Appeals to the Board, shall be made pursuant to Hawaii Revised
Statutes §§76-14, 76-41, and 76-47.
(b) Subject to subsections (c), (d), and (e), appeals may be filed by
individuals concerning any action taken under Hawaii Revised
Statutes, Chapter 76, by the chief executive, the director, an
appointing authority, or a designee on behalf of one of these
individuals, relating to:
(1) Recruitment and examination;
(2) Classification and reclassification of a particular position;
(3) Initial pricing of classes; and
112
(4) Other employment actions under Hawaii Revised Statutes,
Chapter 76, including disciplinary actions and adverse
actions for failure to meet performance requirements taken
against civil service employees who are excluded from
collective bargaining coverage under Hawaii Revised
Statutes §89-6.
(c) Any person suffering legal wrong by an action under subsection
(b) (1) or aggrieved by such action shall be entitled to appeal to
the Board.
(d) Any employee covered by Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 76,
suffering any legal wrong by an action under subsection (b) (2) or
(3) shall be entitled to appeal to the Board.
(e) Only employees covered by Hawai'i Revised Statutes, Chapter 76,
who are excluded from collective bargaining, suffering legal wrong
by an action under subsection (b) (4) shall be entitled to appeal to
the Board.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-14, 76-47,
91-2)
§ 104-2 Filing of appeal.
(a) Appeals shall be filed within twenty days from the action giving rise
to the appeal; provided, if use of an internal complaint procedure
pursuant to Hawaii Revised Statutes §76-42 is required prior to filing
an appeal with the Board, the appeal to the Board shall be filed
within twenty days from a decision rendered at that step in the
internal complaint procedure immediately preceding the filing of
the appeal to the Board. Appeals from an administrative review
taken by the director under Title I of the Rules of the Department of
Human Resources shall be filed within twenty days from the
director's decision.
(b) All appeals shall be filed on an appeal form prescribed by the
Board.
(c) The appeal shall be filed at the Board's office.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-3 Jurisdiction.
�--� (a) The Board shall not act on an appeal but shall defer to other
authority if the action complained of constitutes a prohibited act
113
that is subject to the jurisdiction of another appellate body or
administrative agency or the grievance procedure under a
collective bargaining agreement.
(b) The Board shall not proceed on an appeal or shall hold
proceedings in abeyance if there is any controversy regarding its
authority to hear the appeal until the controversy is resolved by the
Hawaii Labor Relations Board.
(c) The Board shall not hear any appeal for which the requirements of
§76-42, when applicable, have not been met.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-14, 76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-14,
76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-4 Mediation.
(a) The Board may require mediation of an appeal whenever it
determines that mediation may:
(1) result in a satisfactory resolution of an appeal;
(2) narrow the issues of an appeal; or
(3) otherwise expedite a decision.
(b) Mediation shall not be subject to Hawai'i Revised Statutes,
Chapter 92.
(c) Mediation may be provided by any member or members of the
Board, or by a public or non-profit agency which offers mediation
or similar services for resolving or narrowing differences among the
parties.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-5 Hearing.
(a) All appeals shall be heard in accordance with and in conformance
to the provisions of Hawai'i Revised Statutes §§91-9, 91-9.5, 91-10,
91-11, 91-12, and 91-13, and Hawai'i County Charter § 13-20.
(b) The Board shall hear all appeals unless a hearing officer is
appointed by the Board to hear the appeal.
(c) The presiding officer at the hearing shall have the authority to:
(1) Control the course of the hearing;
FW
114
(2) Hold conferences open to the public on which they have
had notice for settlement or simplification of the issues
involved;
(3) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(4) Grant application for and issue subpoenas;
(5) Take or cause depositions to be taken;
(6) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(7) Limit lines of questioning or testimony that are irrelevant,
immaterial, or repetitious;
(8) Rule on all objections, procedural requests, and motions that
do not involve final determination of proceedings;
(9) Dispose of any matter that normally and properly arises in
the course of the proceeding; and
(10) Take all other actions authorized by Hawaii Revised Statutes
Chapter 76, rules, or any other law that is deemed necessary
to the orderly and just conduct of the hearing.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-14, 76-47,
91-2, 91-9, 91-9.5, 91-10, 91-11, 91-12, 91-13)
§ 104-6 Hearing notice.
Notices for hearing shall be as provided by Hawaii Revised Statutes
§§91-9 and 91-9.5.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-9, 91-9.5)
§ 104-7 Time and place of hearing.
Hearings shall be held at the time and place set forth in the notice of
hearing; provided, where a hearing is continued, the time and place of the
hearing shall be as determined by the Board and announced by the presiding
officer at the hearing.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-9, 91-9.5)
§ 104-8 Continuances.
(a) Continuances may be granted as provided in § 104-7.
115
(b) Continuances may be granted prior to the convening of a hearing,
provided:
(1) the party requesting the continuance submits a written
request for the continuance, stating the specific reasons for
the request;
(2) the written request is received by the Board ten working
days prior to the scheduled hearing date;
(3) the moving party simultaneously sends a copy of the
continuance request by certified mail to the opposing party;
(4) the opposing party, within five working days of receipt of the
request for continuance, submits its objections, if any, to the
Board. A copy of its objections shall be sent, by certified
mail, simultaneously to the party requesting the
continuance;
(5) the Chairperson or the Vice -chairperson in the Chairperson's
absence grants the continuance and submits written notice
of the granting of the continuance and the reasons thereto
to the parties; and
(6) nothing herein shall be construed as preventing the
Chairperson or the Vice -chairperson in the Chairperson's
absence from granting the continuance where both parties
are agreeable to the continuance. If the opposing party
fails to submit its objections following subsection (b) (4), the
opposing party shall be deemed agreeable to the
continuance request.
(c) When the Chairperson or Vice -chairperson grants a continuance,
notice of the new hearing date shall be as prescribed by Hawai'i
Revised Statutes §91-9.5.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-9.5)
§ 104-9 Disqualification.
(a) No hearing officer or Board member shall serve in any proceeding
who:
(1) has a pecuniary interest in any matter or business involved in
the hearing;
(2) is related within the first degree by blood or marriage to any
116
party in the hearing; or
(3) has participated in any investigation preceding the
institution of the hearing or in a determination that should be
instituted or in the development of the evidence to be
introduced therein.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS § § 76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-10 Record of hearing.
(a) A record of the hearing shall be compiled in accordance with
Hawai'i Revised Statutes, subsection (e) of §91-9.
(b) Minutes of the hearing shall be kept and an audio recording of the
hearing made. Transcription of the hearing shall be made only as
provided in Hawai'i Revised Statutes, subsection (f) of §91-9.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-9)
§ 104-11 Subpoenas.
(a) Application for subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses or
the production of documentary evidence from any place within
the State of Hawai'i at any designated place or hearing shall be
made in writing to the Board or hearing officer. The application
shall:
(1) specify the name of the witness, or the specific documents
or data desired, and their relevancy to the issues involved;
(2) be made no later than ten days prior to the hearing; and,
(3) be accompanied by a prepared subpoena.
(b) If an application is not made within ten days of the hearing, the
Board may issue the subpoena and/or continue the hearing or any
part thereof.
(c) Once approved by the Board or hearing officer, the party
requesting the subpoenas shall be responsible for serving the
subpoenas upon the persons identified in the subpoenas.
(d) Enforcement of the subpoenas issued and served shall be written
application of any Board member to a circuit court judge.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
117
%` § 104-12 Witness/deposition fees.
(a) Witnesses who are subpoenaed shall be paid the same fees and
mileage as are paid witnesses in the circuit courts of the State of
Hawaii.
(b) Witness fees shall be paid by the party at whose insistence the
witnesses appear.
(c) Fees for depositions shall be paid by the party at whose insistence
the depositions are taken.
(d) Fees shall be paid at the time a party is summoned or a deposition
is taken.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-13 Oath.
All parties testifying at any hearing shall be placed under oath or
affirmation prior to testifying.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-14 Order of hearing.
(a) At the commencement of the hearing, the presiding officer shall
read the notice of hearing and shall outline briefly the procedure
to be followed.
(b) Procedures to be followed shall be that which, unless otherwise
specifically provided by law or rules, and in the opinion of the
presiding officer, best serve the interest and purposes of the
hearing without prejudice to any party.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-15 Submission of testimony.
(a) All parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to submit relevant
testimony.
(b) Witnesses shall be subject to cross-examination and to questioning
by the Board members and the adverse party.
(c) Each party shall have the right to submit rebuttal evidence,
testimony, and arguments.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
118
/I-- § 104-16 Judicial notice.
(a) The presiding officer may take notice of judicially recognizable
facts and may take notice of generally recognizable technical or
scientific facts within the presiding officer's specialized knowledge.
(b) Such notice may be taken only when:
(1) parties are given notice either before or during the hearing
of the material so noticed; and
(2) parties have been afforded the opportunity to contest the
facts so noticed.
[Eff. 09/28/021 (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)
§ 104-17 Additional evidence.
At any hearing, the presiding officer may require the production of further
evidence upon any relevant issue.
[Eff. 09/28/021 (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-9, 91-9.5,
91-10, 91-11)
1-1—� § 104-18 Close of hearing.
(a) After all evidence has been presented, the parties shall be given
an opportunity to summarize and present closing arguments.
(b) Within reasonable time after closing arguments and all requested
memoranda submitted, the presiding officer shall bring the hearing
to a close.
[Eff. 09/28/02] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) ( Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2, 91-9, 91-9.5,
91-10, 91-11)
§ 104-19 Decisions and orders.
Decisions and orders of the Board shall be in conformance with Hawaii
Revised Statutes §§76-14, 76-41, 76-47, and 91-12.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS§§76-47,91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-9, 91-9.5, 91-10, 91-11, 91-12)
§ 104-20 Appeal of decisions and order.
Appeals of any Board decision or order shall be made pursuant to Hawaii
Revised Statutes §91-14.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2,
91-14)
119
§ 104-21 Counsel.
On matters of appeal, the Attorney General shall serve as counsel for the
Board. The Corporation Counsel shall serve as counsel for the appointing
authority or the director of human resources unless the appointing authority or
director of human resources elects another representative.
[Eff. 09/28/02; am ] (Auth: HRS §§76-47, 91-2) (Imp: HRS §§76-47, 91-2)