7.31—Hearing in connection with appeals and requests for reconsideration to Deputy Administrator.
Any person (the “appellant”) filing an appeal with the Deputy Administrator, or a request for reconsideration of a determination made by the Deputy Administrator under § 7.29 of this part, is entitled, at such person's election, to a hearing in connection therewith. If the appellant does not request a hearing, the appeal or reconsideration shall be handled in accordance with § 7.30 of this part. If the appellant desires a hearing, such person shall so advise the Deputy Administrator. The hearing shall be conducted by the Deputy Administrator, or a designee of the Deputy Administrator, who shall serve as a hearing officer. The hearing shall be held at the time and place designated by the hearing officer. The appellant may appear personally or through or accompanied by a representative. The hearing officer shall conduct the hearing so as to bring out pertinent facts, including the production of pertinent documents. Rules of evidence shall not be applied strictly, but the hearing officer shall exclude irrelevant or unduly repetitious evidence. Information having a bearing on the issues shall be received in evidence. Both the appellant and the agency representatives are entitled to produce witnesses and the appellant and agency representative shall be given an opportunity to cross-examine witnesses. The hearing officer shall inform the witnesses that they are subject to a fine of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 5 years, or both, for making any false statements (18 U.S.C. 1001 ). The hearing officer shall cause a transcript to be made of the hearing and it shall be made available to the appellant at actual costs.