[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 40, Volume 31]
[Revised as of July 1, 2007]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 40CFR791.29]

[Page 28-29]
 
                   TITLE 40--PROTECTION OF ENVIRONMENT
 
         CHAPTER I--ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY (CONTINUED)
 
PART 791_DATA REIMBURSEMENT--Table of Contents
 
                      Subpart B_Hearing Procedures
 
Sec.  791.29  Appointment of hearing officer.

    (a) Qualifications of hearing officer. All hearing officers shall be 
neutral, subject to disqualification for the reasons specified in 
paragraph (f) of this section.
    (b) Appointment from panel. Promptly after receiving the complete 
list of parties at the close of the notice period described in Sec.  
791.22, the American Arbitration Association shall submit simultaneously 
to each party to the dispute an identical list of names. Each party to 
the dispute shall have thirty days from the mailing date in which to 
cross off any names objected to, number the remaining names to indicate 
the order of preference, and return the list to the American Arbitration 
Association. If a party does not return the list within the time 
specified, all persons named therein shall be deemed acceptable to that 
party. From among the persons who have been approved on all lists, and 
in accordance with the designated order of mutual preference, the 
American Arbitration Association shall invite the acceptance of a 
hearing officer to serve. If the parties fail to agree upon any of the 
persons named, or if acceptable hearing officers are unable to act, or 
if for any other reason the appointment cannot be made from the 
submitted lists, the American Arbitration Association shall have the 
power to make the appointment without the submission of any additional 
list.
    (c) Nationality of hearing officer in international dispute. If one 
of the parties is a national or resident of a country other than the 
United States, the hearing officer shall upon the request of any party, 
be appointed from among the nationals of a country other than that of 
the parties.
    (d) Number of hearing officers. The dispute shall be heard and 
determined by one hearing officer unless the American Arbitration 
Association, in its discretion, directs that a greater number of hearing 
officers be appointed.
    (e) Notice of appointment. Notice of the appointment of the hearing 
officer, together with a copy of these rules, and the signed acceptance 
of the hearing officer shall be filed prior to the opening of the first 
hearing.
    (f) Disclosure and challenge procedure. A person appointed as 
hearing officer shall disclose to the American Arbitration Association 
any circumstances likely to affect impartiality, including any bias or 
any financial or personal interest in the result of the hearing or any 
past or present relationship with the parties or their counsel. Upon 
receipt of such information from such hearing officer or other source, 
the American Arbitration Association shall communicate such information 
to the parties, and, if it deems it appropriate to do so, to the hearing 
officer and others. Thereafter, the American Arbitration Association 
shall determine whether the hearing officer should be disqualified and 
shall inform the parties of its decision, which shall be conclusive.

[[Page 29]]

    (g) Vacancies. If any hearing officer should resign, die, withdraw, 
refuse, be disqualified or be unable to perform the duties of the 
office, the American Arbitration Association may, on proof satisfactory 
to it, declare the office vacant. Vacancies shall be filled in 
accordance with the applicable provisions of these rules and the matter 
shall be reheard unless the parties shall agree otherwise.