The Administrative Law Division of OAH conducts contested cases and rulemaking proceedings. These matters are governed by the Administrative Procedure Act. Procedures for these proceedings are set out in rules adopted by OAH. The Minnesota Bookstore offers the Administrative Law Division Statutes and Rules in a bound edition. A Contested Case Proceedings Guide provides an overview of the process. Information is provided for Agencies, Cities, and others needing to arrange hearing services.
Fair Campaign Practice and Campaign Finance Act complaints are heard at OAH. Persons filing a complaint or seeking information about the process should visit the Fair Campaign Process page. Decisions are posted there promptly after issuance.
Administrative Law Judges conduct the hearings for both contested cases and rulemaking. The calendar of upcoming hearings is online. Depending on the particular type of matter, the ALJ makes a recommendation or a final order. These recommendations and orders are available online in a searchable Database. Parties to cases may need Procedural Forms and Subpoenas. A Pro Se Guide and Witness Guide may be helpful in understanding the contested case process.
OAH in Saint Paul - Contact Info
The Office of Administrative Hearings is located in the Harold Stassen Office building in the Capitol complex in St. Paul. Check the OAH in Saint Paul Page for contact and mailing information, and more details on the facilities, parking, bus routes, etc.
Central Corridor Light Rail Construction Begins
The Central Corridor Light Rail line will run along Robert Street in front of the Stassen Building. Construction has begun, affecting access to OAH. For more information, including lane closures and parking lot access, check the
Central Corridor Capitol Area Construction Update.
Expedited Data Practices Complaint Process Begins July 1 with OAH
Beginning July 1, persons in a dispute with a State agency or local unit of government regarding the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act can seek expedited handling of that matter with OAH. The Legislature enacted an amendment to the Minnesota Government Data Practices Act, codified at Minn. Stat. Chap. 13.085, establishing this new process. Any Complaint filed under this process must be handled according to strict timelines for assessing probable cause, conducting a hearing, and issuing the ALJ decision. ALJ decisions are final agency decisions under the statute, appealable to the Minnesota Court of Appeals.
For more information, including forms and contact information, visit the Expedited Data Practices Complaint Process Page.
The Office of Administrative Hearings, together with Senate Media, has produced a video guide to the administrative hearing process. The video provides a brief overview of the process and shows examples of offering evidence, questioning a witness, and making final argument.
Environmental Quality Board
Mandatory Preparation of Environmental Assessment Worksheets
for Greenhouse Gas Emissions
ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report of Judge Neilson has been issued regarding the Environmental Quality Board Environmental Review Program Rules pertaining to the threshold for mandatory preparation of Environmental Assessment Worksheets for greenhouse gas emissions (Minnesota Rules Part 4410.4300, subpart 15). The Report now goes to the EQB for final adoption. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to the rule amendments remain available on the EQB Greenhouse Gas Rulemaking Proceeding Page.
Fargo-St. Cloud Transmission Line Project - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report of Judge Heydinger regarding the Application for a Route Permit for the Fargo-St. Cloud Transmission Line Project has been issued. The Report now goes to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for final decision. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to this matter are available through the eDockets system. Search documents using the docket number 09-1056.
Board of Chiropractic Examiners,
Proposed Rules Relating to Pre-Pay Plans
Administrative Law Judge's Report issued
The ALJ Report of Judge Barbara L. Neilson and the Report of Chief Judge Raymond R. Krause have been issued. The rule now goes to the Board of Chiropractic Examiners for further consideration. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to the proposed rules remain available on the Pre-Pay Plans for Chiropractic Services Rulemaking Proceeding Page.
MN Majority HAVA Complaint - ALJ Order Issued
The ALJ Order of Judge Heydinger has been issued regarding the Help America Vote Act (HAVA) complaint brought by Dan McGrath and Minnesota Majority against the Minnesota Secretary of State, Mark Ritchie. Pursuant to Minn. Stat. Section 200.04, subds. 3 and 6, Judge Heydinger's decision is the final agency decision and subject to appellate review.
Board of Pharmacy,
Proposed Rules Relating to Pharmacy Practice
Rulemaking Proceeding Information Online
The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to the rules proposed by the Board of Pharmacy relating to pharmacy practice and drug wholesaling (Minnesota Rules Chapter 6800) are now available on the Pharmacy Practice Rulemaking Proceeding Page. The information will be updated as further comments are received.
The initial deadline for the submission of written comments in that rulemaking proceeding is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 23, 2011. The deadline for submission of rebuttal comments is 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 30, 2011.
Interstate Power & Light Company
Rate Proceeding Information Online
Please note correction to the public comment deadline - The deadline for public comments is January 21, 2011.
Judge Johnson has been assigned to hear the proposed rate increase for electricity sought by Interstate Power filed with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. The public comment period on that rate incresase is open until January 21, 2011. More information about this proceeding, including how to submit public comments, in person or in writing (by mail, email, or fax) and how to access information about the proceeding is available on the Interstate Power Rate Proceeding page. After receipt of the public comments and an evidentiary hearing, Judge Johnson will issue a recommendation on the rate proceeding to the Commission.
Qwest-CenturyLink Merger - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report of Judge Neilson regarding the proposed Qwest-CenturyLink Merger has been issued. Judge Neilson has also issued a Summary of Public Comment and Table of Contents to the Report. The Report now goes to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for final decision. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to this matter are available through the eDockets system. Search documents using the docket number 10-456.
Department of Human Services, Proposed Amendments
to and Repeal of Rules Governing Outpatient
Mental Health Services Payment
ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report in the proposed rules of the Department of Human Services on the Outpatient Mental Health Services Payment Rulemaking has been issued. The rule now goes to the Department of Human Services for adoption. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to the proposed rules remain available on the Outpatient Mental Health Services Payment Rulemaking Proceeding Page.
Hiawatha Transmission Line Project - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report of Judge Heydinger regarding the Application for a Route Permit for the Hiawatha Transmission Line Project has been issued. The Report now goes to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for final decision. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to this matter are available through the eDockets system. Search documents using the docket number 09-38.
Department of Labor & Industry,
Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing
Prevailing Wage Category Descriptions in
Primary Classes of Labor for Laborers and Special Crafts
ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report in the proposed rules of the Department of Labor and Industry governing prevailing wage category descriptions in primary classes of labor for laborers and special crafts (Minnesota Rules, Chapter 5200) has been issued. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to these rules remain available on the Prevailing Wage Category Descriptions Rulemaking Proceeding Page.
Pollution Control Agency, Proposed Amendments to Rules Governing Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Report in the proposed rules governing Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems has been issued. The rule now goes to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for adoption. The public exhibits, public comments, and other documents relating to the rules proposed by the Pollution Control Agency governing subsurface sewage treatment systems (Minnesota Rules, Chapters 7080, 7081, 7082, and 7083) remain available on the Subsurface Sewage Treatment Systems (SSTS) Rulemaking Proceeding Page.
CapX 2020 - Monticello to St. Cloud 345 kV HVTL - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Recommendation of Judge Heydinger regarding the route of the proposed CapX-2020 Monticello to St. Cloud 345 kV HVTL is now available. The matter has been returned to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for final resolution.
CapX 2020 - Brookings to Hampton 345 kV HVTL - ALJ Report Issued
The ALJ Recommendation of Judge Luis regarding the route of the proposed CapX-2020 Brookings to Hampton 345 kV HVTL is now available (PDF format). The matter has been returned to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for final resolution.
Fair Campaign Complaint Information Available
Information about the Fair Campaign complaint process is available on the Fair Campaign Process and Decisions Page. ALJ Orders are listed by the names of the complaining party and respondent. Decisions are searchable in the ALJ Decision Database. To limit your results to campaign cases, select the "advanced" search option and use CV as a required search term. A new resource is the inclusion of recent filings that are of widespread interest. Such documents are posted as they are filed and may not reflect all filings in a particular matter.
Wireless Internet
Wireless internet access is now available at the Office of Administrative Hearings in our St. Paul location. A user name and password is required to use this service. User names and passwords are obtained at the front desk from Raven Plendl-Grant (or by email at Raven.Plendl-Grant@state.mn.us). The standard access is through a one-day pass. For those with frequent business at OAH, an extended pass is available. The extended pass requires approval. Contact Raven Plendl-Grant to apply for the extended pass. One-day passes are available pending approval of an extended pass.
Digital Signage
The Office of Administrative Hearings has added digital signage in the waiting area. The digital signboard identifies the hearings and conferences for the day, the assigned Judge, and the room. A crawl across the bottom provides other useful information. The signage is mounted on the far wall of the waiting area next to the door to the hearing and conference rooms. In the past the ADR Division has not listed specific rooms for the various Judges but that will be changing. Attorneys are encouraged to locate which room their conference is in and to proceed directly to that room just as they would for a formal hearing.
New Artwork
Thanks to the efforts of Judge Cheryl LeClair-Sommer, the Office of Administrative Hearings has new artwork on the first floor in the corridors between the hearing and conference rooms. Included are some spectacular photographs from the Minnesota Historical Society which we selected to show the diversity of occupations in Minnesota. Thanks to Cheryl and the folks on the Art Committee for their work on this project.
Campaign Cases Keyword Searchable
OAH campaign complaint reports and orders are individually listed on the Fair Campaign Process Page. But those decisions are also searchable in the ALJ Decision Database. To limit your results to campaign cases, select the "advanced" search option and use CV as a required search term. For example, matters involving things of monetary value can be retrieved from the database using the seach terms 211B.13 and CV. From campaign flyers to penny candy, you can find it in the Database.
Bench & Bar Article on OAH
Judge Krause's Bench & Bar article Minnesota's OAH: Thirty Years of Innovation in Administrative Review has been reprinted on the OAH website. The article sets out the history of OAH, and describes the services provided by the Office. Our thanks to Bench & Bar of Minnesota for permission to reprint the article here.
Admin Law Division Calendar
The Admin Law Division Calendar is back online. Read about the format changes and then find that hearing you were looking for.
ALJ Reports Resources
The ALJ reports page contains a listing of recommendations and orders that are too recent for inclusion in the searchable Database. For some complex cases, the ALJ reports page provides links to other resources.
Last Updated - May 10, 2011