first designated for hearing the prior application or applications with which such application is in conflict.

(3) Common carrier cases: (i) General rule. Where an application is mutually exclusive with a previously filed application, the second application will be entitled to comparative consideration with the first or entitled to be included in a random selection process, only if the second has been properly filed at least one day before the Commission takes action on the first application. Specifically, the later filed application must have been received by the Commission, in a condition acceptable for filing, before the close of business on the day prior to the grant date or designation date of the earlier filed application.

(ii) Domestic public fixed and public mobile. See Rule §§ 21.31 and 22.31 for the requirements as to mutually exclusive applications. See also Rule §§ 21.23 and 22.23 for the requirements as to amendments of applications.

(iii) Public coast stations (Maritime mobile service). See paragraph (b)(4) of this section.

(4) This paragraph applies when mutually-exclusive applications subject to section 309(b) of the Communications Act are filed in the Private Radio Services or when there are more such applications for initial licenses than can be accommodated on available frequencies. In such cases, the applications either will be consolidated for hearing or designated for random selection (see §1.972 of this part). An application which is substantially amended (as defined by §1.962(c) of this part) will, for the purpose of this section, be considered to be a newly-filed application as of the receipt date of the amendment. Except for applications filed under part 94, Private Operational Fixed Microwave Service, mutual exclusivity will occur if the later application or applications are received by the Commission's offices in Gettysburg, PA (or Pittsburgh, PA for applications requiring the fees set forth at part 1, subpart G of the rules) in a condition acceptable for filing within 30 days after the release date of public notice listing the first prior filed application (with which subsequent applications are in conflict) as having been accepted for

filing or within such other period as specified by the Commission. For applications in the Private Operational Fixed Microwave Service, mutual exclusivity will occur if two or more acceptable applications that are in conflict are filed on the same day.

(5) Any mutually exclusive application filed after the date prescribed in paragraph (b)(1), (b)(2), (b)(3), or (b)(4) of this section will be dismissed without prejudice and will be eligible for refiling only after a final decision is rendered by the Commission with respect to the prior application or applications or after such application or applications are dismissed or removed from the hearing docket.

(6) An application which is mutually exclusive with an application for renewal of license of a broadcast station will be designated for comparative hearing with such license renewal application if it is substantially complete and tendered for filing no later than the date prescribed in §1.516(e).

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 34 FR 7966, May 21, 1969; 37 FR 13983, July 15, 1972; 38 FR 26202, Sept. 19, 1973; 48 FR 27200, June 13, 1983; 48 FR 34039, July 27, 1983; 52 FR 10229, Mar. 31, 1987; 55 FR 46008, Oct. 31, 1990; 55 FR 46513, Nov. 5, 1990]

§1.229 Motions to enlarge, change, or delete issues.

(a) A motion to enlarge, change or delete the issues may be filed by any party to a hearing. Except as provided for in paragraph (b) of this section, such motions must be filed within 15 days after the full text or a summary of the order designating the case for hearing has been published in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(b)(1) In comparative broadcast proceedings involving applicants for only new facilities, such motions shall be filed within 30 days of the release of the designation order, except that persons not named as parties to the proceeding in the designation order may file such motions with their petitions to intervene up to 30 days after publication of the full text or a summary of the designation order in the FEDERAL REGISTER. (See §1.223 of this part).

(2) In comparative broadcast proceedings involving renewal applicants, such motions shall be filed within 30 days

after publication of the full text or a summary of the designation order in the FEDERAL REGISTER.

(3) Any person desiring to file a motion to modify the issues after the expiration of periods specified in paragraphs (a), (b)(1), and (b)(2), of this section, shall set forth the reason why it was not possible to file the motion within the prescribed period. Except as provided in paragraph (c) of this section, the motion will be granted only if good cause is shown for the delay in filing. Motions for modifications of issues which are based on new facts or newly discovered facts shall be filed within 15 days after such facts are discovered by the moving party.

(c) In the absence of good cause for late filing of a motion to modify the issues, the motion to enlarge will be considered fully on its merits if (and only if) initial examination of the motion demonstrates that it raises a question of probable decisional significance and such substantial public interest importance as to warrant consideration in spite of its untimely filing.

(d) Such motions, opposition thereto, and replies to oppositions shall contain specific allegations of fact sufficient to support the action requested. Such allegations of fact, except for those of which official notice may be taken, shall be supported by affidavits of a person or persons having personal knowledge thereof. The failure to file an opposition or a reply will not necessarily be construed as an admission of any fact or argument contained in a pleading.

(e) In comparative broadcast proceedings involving applicants for only new facilities, in addition to the showing with respect to the requested issue modification described in paragraph (d) of this section, the party requesting the enlargement of issues against an applicant in the proceeding shall identify those documents the moving party wishes to have produced and any other discovery procedures the moving party wishes to employ in the event the requested issue is added to the proceeding.

(1) In the event the motion to enlarge issues is granted, the Commission or delegated authority acting on the motion will also rule on the additional

discovery requests, and, if granted, such additional discovery will be scheduled to be completed within 30 days of the action on the motion.

(2) The moving party may file supplemental discovery requests on the basis of information provided in responsive pleadings or discovered as a result of initial discovery on the enlarged issue. The grant or denial of any such supplemental requests and the timing of the completion of such supplemental discovery are subject to the discretion of the presiding judge.

(3) The 30-day time limit for completion of discovery on enlarged issues shall not apply where the persons subject to such additional discovery are not parties to the proceeding. In such case, additional time will be required to afford such persons adequate notice of the discovery procedures being employed.

(f) In any case in which the presiding judge, the Review Board or the Commission grants a motion to enlarge the issues to inquire into allegations that an applicant made misrepresentations to the Commission or engaged in other misconduct during the application process, the enlarged issues include notice that, after hearings on the enlarged issue and upon a finding that the alleged misconduct occurred and warrants such penalty, in addition to or in lieu of denying the application, the applicant may be liable for a forfeiture of up to the maximum statutory amount. See 47 U.S.C. 503(b)(2)(A). [41 FR 14872, Apr. 8, 1976, as amended at 44 FR 34947, June 18, 1979; 51 FR 19347, May 29, 1986; 56 FR 792, Jan. 9, 1991; 56 FR 25639, June 5, 1991]

PRESIDING OFFICER

§ 1.241 Designation of presiding offi

cer.

(a) Hearings will be conducted by the Commission, by one or more commissioners, or by a law judge designated pursuant to section 11 of the Administrative Procedure Act. If a presiding officer becomes unavailable to the Commission prior to the taking of testimony another presiding officer will be designated.

(b) Unless the Commission determines that due and timely execution of

its functions requires otherwise, presiding officers shall be designated, and notice thereof released to the public, at least 10 days prior to the date set for hearing.

(5 U.S.C. 556)

§1.243 Authority of presiding officer.

From the time he is designated to preside until issuance of his decision or the transfer of the proceeding to the Commission or to another presiding officer the presiding officer shall have such authority as is vested in him by law and by the provisions of this chapter, including authority to:

(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(b) Issue subpenas;

(c) Examine witnesses;

(d) Rule upon questions of evidence; (e) Take or cause depositions to be taken;

(f) Regulate the course of the hearing, maintain decorum, and exclude from the hearing any person engaging in contemptuous conduct or otherwise disrupting the proceedings;

(g) Require the filing of memoranda of law and the presentation of oral argument with respect to any question of law upon which he is required to rule during the course of the hearing;

(h) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties;

(i) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters, as provided for in $0.341 of this chapter;

(j) Take actions and make decisions in conformity with the Administrative Procedure Act;

(k) Act on motions to enlarge, modify or delete the hearing issues; and

(1) Act on motions to proceed in forma pauperis pursuant to §1.224. (5 U.S.C. 556)

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 41 FR 53022, Dec. 3, 1976]

§1.244 Designation of a settlement judge.

(a) In broadcast comparative cases involving applicants for only new facilities, the applicants may request the appointment of a settlement judge to facilitate the resolution of the case by settlement.

(b) Where all applicants in the case agree that such procedures may be beneficial, such requests may be filed with the presiding judge no later than 15 days prior to the date scheduled by the presiding judge for the commencement of hearings. The presiding judge shall suspend the procedural dates in the case and forward the request to the Chief Administrative Law Judge for action.

(c) If, in the discretion of the Chief Administrative Law Judge, it appears that the appointment of a settlement judge will facilitate the settlement of the case, the Chief Judge will appoint a "neutral" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 581 and 583(a) to act as the settlement judge.

(1) The parties may request the appointment of a settlement judge of their own choosing so long as that person is a "neutral" as defined in 5 U.S.C. 581.

(2) The appointment of a settlement judge in a particular case is subject to the approval of all the applicants in the proceeding. See 5 U.S.C. 583(b).

(3) The Commission's Administrative Law Judges are eligible to act as settlement judges, except that an Administrative Law Judge will not be appointed as a settlement judge in any case in which the Administrative Law Judge also acts as the presiding officer. (4) Other members of the Commission's staff who qualify as neutrals may bve appointed as settlement judges, except that staff members whose duties include drafting, review, and/or recommendations in adjudicatory matters pending before the Review Board or the Commission shall not be appointed as settlement judges.

(d) The settlement judge will have the authority to require applicants to submit their Standardized Integration Statements and/or their written direct cases for review. The settlement judge may also meet with the applicants and/ or their counsel, individually and/or at joint conferences, to discuss their cases and the cases of their competitors. All such meetings will be off-the-record, and the settlement judge may express an opinion as to the relative comparative standing of the applicants and recommend possible means to resolve the proceeding by settlement. The proceedings before the settlement judge shall

be subject to the confidentiality provisions of 5 U.S.C. 584. Moreover, no statements, offers of settlement, representations or concessions of the parties or opinions expressed by the settlement judge will be admissible as evidence in any Commission licensing proceeding.

[56 FR 793, Jan. 9, 1991]

$1.245 Disqualification of presiding officer.

(a) In the event that a presiding officer deems himself disqualified and desires to withdraw from the case, he shall notify the Commission of his withdrawal at least 7 days prior to the date set for hearing.

(b) Any party may request the presiding officer to withdraw on the grounds of personal bias or other disqualification.

(1) The person seeking disqualification shall file with the presiding officer an affidavit setting forth in detail the facts alleged to constitute grounds for disqualification. Such affidavit shall be filed not later than 5 days before the commencement of the hearing unless, for good cause shown, additional time is necessary.

(2) The presiding officer may file a response to the affidavit; and if he believes himself not disqualified, shall so rule and proceed with the hearing.

(3) The person seeking disqualification may appeal a ruling of disqualification, and, in that event, shall do so at the time the ruling is made. Unless an appeal of the ruling is filed at this time, the right to request withdrawal of the presiding officer shall be deemed waived.

(4) If an appeal of the ruling is filed, the presiding officer shall certify the question, together with the affidavit and any response filed in connection therewith, to the Review Board. The hearing shall be suspended pending a ruling on the question by the Board.

(5) The Board may rule on the question without hearing, or it may require testimony or argument on the issues raised.

(6) The affidavit, response, testimony or argument thereon, and the Board's decision shall be part of the record in the case.

(5 U.S.C. 556)

[28 FR 12425, Nov. 22, 1963, as amended at 55 FR 36641, Sept. 6, 1990]

PREHEARING PROCEDURES

§1.246 Admission of facts and genuineness of documents.

(a) Within 20 days after the time for filing a notice of appearance has expired; or within 20 days after the release of an order adding parties to the proceeding (see §§1.223 and 1.227) or changing the issues (see §1.229); or within such shorter or longer time as the presiding officer may allow on motion or notice, a party may serve upon any other party a written request for the admission by the latter of the genuineness of any relevant documents identified in and exhibited by a clear copy with the request or of the truth of any relevant matters of fact set forth in the request.

(b) Each of the matters of which an admission is requested shall be deemed admitted unless, within a period designated in the request, not less than 10 days after service thereof, or within such shorter or longer time as the presiding officer may allow on motion or notice, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission either: (1) A sworn statement denying specifically the matters of which an admission is requested or setting forth in detail the reasons why he cannot truthfully admit or deny those matters, or (2) written objections on the ground that some or all of the requested admissions are privileged or irrelevant or that the request is otherwise improper in whole or in part. If written objections to a part of the request are made, the remainder of the request shall be answered within the period designated in the request. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party deny only a part or a qualification of a matter of which an admission is requested, he shall specify so much of it as is true and deny only the remainder.

(c) A copy of the request and of any answer shall be served by the party filing on all other parties to the proceeding and upon the presiding officer.

(d) Written objections to the requested admissions may be ruled upon by the presiding officer without additional pleadings.

[33 FR 463, Jan. 12, 1968, as amended at 35 FR 17333, Nov. 11, 1970]

§1.248 Prehearing conferences; hearing conferences.

(a) The Commission, on its own initiative or at the request of any party, may direct the parties or their attorneys to appear at a specified time and place for a conference prior to a hearing, or to submit suggestions in writing, for the purpose of considering, among other things, the matters set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. The initial prehearing conference shall be scheduled 30 days after the effective date of the order designating a case for hearing, unless good cause is shown for scheduling such conference at a later date.

(b)(1) The presiding officer (or the Commission or a panel of commissioners in a case over which it presides), on his own initiative or at the request of any party, may direct the parties or their attorneys to appear at a specified time and place for a conference prior to or during the course of a hearing, or to submit suggestions in writing, for the purpose of considering any of the matters set forth in paragraph (c) of this section. The initial prehearing conference shall be scheduled 30 days after the effective date of the order designating a case for hearing, unless good cause is shown for scheduling such conference at a later date.

(2) Except as circumstances otherwise require, the presiding officer shall allow a reasonable period prior to commencement of the hearing for the orderly completion of all prehearing procedures, including discovery, and for the submission and disposition of all prehearing motions. Where the circumstances so warrant, the presiding officer shall, promptly after the hearing is ordered, call a preliminary prehearing conference, to inquire into the use of available procedures templated by the parties and the time required for their completion, to formulate a schedule for their completion,

con

and to set a date for commencement of the hearing.

(c) In conferences held, or in suggestions submitted, pursuant to paragraphs (a) and (b) of this section, the following matters, among others, may be considered:

(1) The necessity or desirability of simplification, clarification, amplification, or limitation of the issues;

(2) The admission of facts and of the genuineness of documents (see §1.246), and the possibility of stipulating with respect to facts;

(3) The procedure at the hearing; (4) The limitation of the number of witnesses;

(5) In cases arising under Title II of the Communications Act, the necessity or desirability of amending the pleadings and offers of settlement or proposals of adjustment; and

(6) In cases involving comparative broadcast applications:

(i) Narrowing the issues or the areas of inquiry and proof at the hearing; (ii) [Reserved]

(iii) Reports and letters relating to surveys or contacts;

(iv) Assumptions regarding the availability of equipment;

(v) Network programming; (vi) Assumptions regarding the availability of networks proposed;

(vii) Offers of letters in general;

(viii) The method of handling evidence relating to the past cooperation of existing stations owned and/or operated by the applicants with organizations in the area;

(ix) Proof of contracts, agreements, or understandings reduced to writing; (x) Stipulations;

(xi) Need for depositions;

(xii) The numbering of exhibits; (xiii) The order or offer of proof with relationship to docket number; (xiv) The date for the formal hearing; and

(xv) Such other matters as may expedite the conduct of the hearing.

(7) In proceedings in which consent agreements may be negotiated (see §1.93), the parties shall be prepared to state at the initial prehearing conference whether they are at that time willing to enter negotiations leading to a consent agreement.