Virginia Law

Hearings before the commissioner or the commissioner's designees shall include any of the following forms depending on the nature of the controversy and the interests of the parties involved.

1. Informal hearings. An informal fact-finding proceeding is an informal conference between the department and the named party held in accordance with § 2.2-4019 of the Code of Virginia. The department shall consider all evidence presented at the meeting that is relevant to the issue in controversy. Presentation of evidence, however, is entirely voluntary. No verbatim record need be taken at the informal hearing. The department shall review the facts presented and based on those facts render a decision. If the decision is adverse to the interests of the appellant, an aggrieved appellant may request an adjudicatory hearing pursuant to subdivision 2 of this section.

2. Adjudicatory hearing. The adjudicatory hearing is a formal, public adjudicatory proceeding conducted pursuant to § 2.2-4020 of the Code of Virginia.

The commissioner shall designate a hearing officer to conduct the hearing as provided in § 2.2-4024 of the Code of Virginia and to make written recommended findings of fact and conclusions of law. The final decision shall be reduced to writing and will contain the explicit findings of fact upon which the decision is based. Certified copies of the decision shall be delivered to the owner affected by it. Notice of a decision will be served upon the parties and become a part of the record. Service may be by personal service or certified mail return receipt requested.