191—3.6(17A) Presiding officer.
	3.6(1) If the presiding officer is not an administrative law judge, any party wishing to request that the presiding officer assigned to render a proposed decision be an administrative law judge employed by the department of inspections, appeals, and licensing must file a written request with the division within 20 days after service of a notice of hearing identifying or describing the presiding officer as the commissioner or commissioner’s designee.
	3.6(2) The commissioner may deny the request only upon a finding that one or more of the following apply:
	a. 	Neither the commissioner nor any designee under whose authority the contested case is to take place is a named party to the proceeding or a real party in interest to that proceeding.
	b. 	There is a compelling need to expedite issuance of a final decision in order to protect the public health, safety, or welfare.
	c. 	An administrative law judge with the qualifications identified in subrule 3.6(4) is unavailable to hear the case within a reasonable time.
	d. 	The case involves significant policy issues of first impression that are inextricably intertwined with the factual issues presented.
	e. 	The demeanor of the witnesses is likely to be dispositive in resolving the disputed factual issues.
	f. 	Funds are unavailable to pay the costs of an administrative law judge and an interagency appeal.
	g. 	The request was not timely filed.
	h. 	The request is not consistent with a specified statute.
	i. 	A statute requires the commissioner or designee to serve as presiding officer.
	j. 	The contested case arises from matters asserted pursuant to Iowa Code chapter 507A, 507B, 508B, 515G or 521A.
	3.6(3) The commissioner or designee shall issue a written ruling specifying the grounds for its decision within 20 days after a request for an administrative law judge is filed. If the ruling is contingent upon the availability of an administrative law judge with the qualifications identified in subrule 3.6(4), the parties shall be notified at least ten days prior to hearing if a qualified administrative law judge will not be available.
	3.6(4) An administrative law judge assigned to act as presiding officer in insurance and securities matters shall be admitted to practice law before the courts of the state of Iowa.
	3.6(5) Except as otherwise provided by another provision of law, all rulings by an administrative law judge acting as presiding officer are subject to appeal to the commissioner. A party must seek any available intra-agency appeal in order to exhaust adequate administrative remedies.
[ARC 7731C, IAB 3/20/24, effective 4/24/24]