Code of the District of Columbia

§ 42–3531.13. Hearing.

(a) A hearing to determine liability for a bill shall be held before an administrative law judge within the Office of Administrative Hearings and shall be conducted in accordance with § 2-509.

(b) If an owner who requests a hearing fails to appear at a hearing, the administrative law judge may proceed with the hearing and issue a final decision in the case.

(c)(1) The administrative law judge shall decide whether the owner's liability for the amount of the bill, in whole or in part, has been established by a preponderance of the evidence.

(2) If an owner is found liable for any portion of the bill, the administrative law judge may impose an additional penalty of up to twice the amount of the liability for the bill.

(d) If an administrative law judge issues an order finding an owner liable, the owner shall pay the amount due within 30 days after the issuance of the order.