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What is the Office of Administrative Hearings?

The Office of Administrative Hearings is North Dakota's central panel of administrative law judges established in 1991 under statutory authority in North Dakota Century Code chapter 54-57.  Central panels employ or contract with administrative law judges who are independent from the agency for which they are conducting hearings and issuing decisions. 

OAH ALJs preside for numerous agencies at state and local levels, in such areas as workers compensation, human services, public utilities, health and safety, commerce, personnel, and financial institutions, resolving often complex issues arising in a dispute between an agency and an individual or business or in an application to an agency seeking specific authority or licensure. 

Philosophy

It is the philosophy of the Office of Administrative Hearings to conduct orderly, fair, and impartial hearings for and to issue prompt, reasoned recommended or final decisions to all state agencies and other agencies of government which use OAH services. It is also our philosophy to conduct orderly, fair, and neutral mediation proceedings or informal hearings, and to issue prompt mediation agreements or prompt, reasoned recommended decisions.

Pursuant to an agency request, the director will attempt to designate an ALJ with expertise in the subject matter of the assigned hearing. When an OAH ALJ is required to issue a decision, the decision may be a recommended decision subject to review by the agency head or a final decision.  

Statutory References


Quick Contact

Timothy J. Dawson, Director
Office of Administrative Hearings
2911 N 14th St - Ste 303
Bismarck, ND 58503

Telephone: (701) 328-3200
Fax: (701) 328-3254
Email: oah@nd.gov

Mission Statement

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Mission Statement

To resolve administrative disputes through holding fair and impartial hearings and issuing reasoned and timely decisions.