"The end of a fiscal year..."

First the statistics...A look back:
The OAH commenced operation on January 2, 1996. Pursuant to A.R.S. 41-1092.01, all agencies, unless exempted, are required to use the personnel and services of the OAH in affording parties administrative hearings, either to appeal an agency action, or as required before the agency could take an action. The OAH currently has 14 administrative law judges located in two offices. In addition to conducting hearings in Phoenix and Tucson, the OAH travels two weeks per month to remote locations. In fiscal year 1997 (July 1, 1997 - June 30, 1998), 2,498 cases were filed involving 34 agencies.

Agency acceptance of ALJ recommended orders, without modification is 86%. Acceptance of findings of fact and conclusions of law without modification is 96%. Rehearings (1.3%) and appeals (4.0%) are rare. Evaluations by participants indicate that ALJ's are consistently rated excellent or good during hearings. Through careful case management, the OAH enjoys a minimal backlog. In FY 1998, the OAH conclusion rate was 94.3% (5.7% more cases filed than concluded).

New personnel: Two new administrative law judges have joined the OAH: Diane Mihalsky and Anthony Halas. Both bring to the OAH a wealth of prior experience. Their biographies appear on page 2.

Future Directions:
1998 legislation SB 1034 transfers nine employees from the Arizona Health Care Cost Containment System (AHCCCS) to the Office of Administrative Hearings. Hearings formerly conducted by the AHCCCS Appeals division will be heard by OAH commencing July 1, 1999.

Videotape production:
At long last, a video production is in the works designed to assist unrepresented parties in understanding and preparing for the hearing process.

DES hearings:
The OAH has begun hearings for those facing the depositing of reports of abuse or neglect in the Department of Economic Security Central Registry. 400 cases are expected to be scheduled for hearing in FY 1999 (July 1, 1998 - June 30, 1999).

Rules update:
The OAH filed its rules with the Secretary of State on August 27, 1998. The filed version can be found on the OAH website at www.azoah.com.