An administrative agency may use an emergency adjudicative proceeding, in its discretion, in an emergency situation involving imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare.

Terms Used In North Dakota Code 28-32-32

  • Answer: The formal written statement by a defendant responding to a civil complaint and setting forth the grounds for defense.
  • Complaint: A written statement by the plaintiff stating the wrongs allegedly committed by the defendant.
  • Statute: A law passed by a legislature.

1.    In an emergency, the administrative agency may take action pursuant to a specific statute as is necessary to prevent or avoid imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare.

2.    In an emergency, in the absence of a specific statute, an administrative agency may serve a complaint fewer than forty-five days before the hearing and give notice of a hearing on the complaint by giving less than twenty days’ notice as is necessary to prevent or avoid imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. But, every party to the emergency adjudicative proceeding must be given a reasonable time within which to serve an answer and to prepare for the hearing, which may be extended by the agency upon good cause being shown.

3.    In an emergency, in the absence of a specific statute, in an adjudicative proceeding that does not involve a complaint against a specific-named respondent, an administrative agency may give notice of a hearing by giving less than twenty days’ notice as is necessary to prevent or avoid imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare. But, every party to the emergency adjudicative proceeding shall be given a reasonable time to prepare for the hearing, which may be extended by the agency upon good cause being shown.

4.    As a result of the emergency adjudicative proceeding, in the absence of a specific statute requiring other administrative action, the administrative agency shall issue an order. The order must include a brief statement of the reasons justifying the determination of imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare and requiring an emergency adjudicative proceeding to prevent or avoid the imminent peril.

5.    After issuing an order pursuant to this section, the administrative agency shall proceed as soon as possible to complete any other proceedings related to the emergency adjudicative proceeding that do not involve imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare.