DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION  
STATE TENURE COMMISSION  
STATE TENURE COMMISSION RULES  
(By authority conferred on the state tenure commission by section 4 of article IV,  
section 1 of article VI, and section 10 of article VII of the teachers’ tenure act, 1937 (Ex.  
Sess.) PA 4, MCL 38.104, 38.121, and 38.140, and section 63 of the administrative  
procedures act of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.263)  
PART 1. GENERAL PROVISIONS AND DECLARATORY RULINGS  
R 38.131 Definitions.  
Rule 1. (1) As used in these rules:  
(a) "Act" means 1937 (Ex. Sess.) PA 4, MCL 38.71 to 38.191, which is commonly  
known as the teachers’ tenure act.  
(b) "Commission" means the state tenure commission created by the act.  
(c) “Electronic submission” means submission by email, by facsimile, or by any  
other electronic means approved by the commission.  
(d) "Person" means an individual, partnership, association, corporation, limited  
liability company, limited liability partnership, governmental subdivision, or public or  
private organization of any kind, other than the commission.  
(2) The terms defined in the act have the same meanings when used in these rules.  
History: 1987 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.132 Meetings of commission; hours of commission office.  
Rule 2. The chairperson of the commission or a majority of its members may call a  
meeting of the commission. Subject to state holidays, the hours of the office of the  
commission are 8 a.m. to noon and 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Monday to Friday.  
History: 1979 AC; 2012 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.133 Office of commission.  
Rule 3. The office of the commission is in the office of the state superintendent of  
public instruction. The address of the commission is: State Tenure Commission,  
Michigan Department of Education, P.O. Box 30008, 608 W. Allegan Street, Lansing,  
Michigan 48909. The email address of the commission is: MDE-  
AdminLaw@michigan.gov, and the facsimile number of the commission is: 517-241-  
6987. The telephone number of the commission is: 517-241-6986, and the web address of  
the commission is: www.michigan.gov/adminlaw.  
History: 1979 AC; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
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R 38.135 Request for declaratory ruling.  
Rule 5. (1) An interested person may request that the commission issue a declaratory  
ruling on how a statute administered by the commission or a rule or order of the  
commission applies to an actual state of facts.  
(2) An interested person shall file a request for a declaratory ruling in the office of  
the commission by personal delivery, by mail as defined in R 38.146(2), or by electronic  
submission as defined in R 38.131. A request may include a brief and must contain all of  
the following:  
(a) A clear and concise statement of the actual state of facts on which the  
commission would base a ruling.  
(b) A precise statement of the legal question or issue.  
(c) A citation of any statute or administrative rule at issue.  
(d) The signature of the person making the request.  
(e) The name, address, telephone number, and email address of the person making  
the request.  
(3) A person who requests a declaratory ruling shall deliver a copy of the request  
personally or by certified mail (return receipt requested) to any person known by the  
requesting party to have an interest in the matter and shall file with the commission a  
proof of service with the request for a declaratory ruling. The commission may require  
the person requesting a declaratory ruling to serve the request on any other interested  
person identified by the commission and to file proof of that service.  
(4) Not later than 60 days after receiving a request for a declaratory ruling and all  
proofs of service, the commission shall notify the person who made the request and any  
other interested person receiving the request under subrule (3) of this rule if the  
commission will grant or deny the request.  
(5) If the commission denies the request, it shall issue a concise written statement of  
the legal or factual reasons for denial.  
(6) If the commission grants the request, it shall notify all persons identified in  
subrule (3) of this rule that any interested person may, within the time established by the  
commission, submit a brief of the legal authority on which the person believes the  
commission should base the declaratory ruling.  
(7) A declaratory ruling must include all of the following:  
(a) The actual state of facts on which the commission bases the ruling.  
(b) The conclusions of law and the legal authority on which the commission relies  
for the ruling.  
(c) The ruling.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.139 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
Page 2  
PART 2. APPEAL PROCEDURES  
R 38.141 Representation; appearance; withdrawal.  
Rule 11. (1) A party may represent himself or herself before the commission or an  
attorney in good standing with the State Bar of Michigan may represent a party.  
(2) An attorney who represents a party before the commission shall file a written  
appearance on or before the time of the filing of the claim of appeal or the answer,  
whichever is applicable, at the office of the commission. An attorney who has filed an  
appearance with the commission may withdraw only by order of the administrative law  
judge or the commission.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.142 Form of pleadings and documents; signature.  
Rule 12. (1) A party or the attorney representing a party shall file all pleadings and  
other documents with the commission.  
(2) If a party or attorney files a pleading or other document with the commission by  
personal delivery or by mail, he or she shall file an original and one copy of the pleading  
or document. If a party or attorney files a pleading or other document with the  
commission by electronic submission, the commission shall consider the electronically  
submitted pleading or document to be the original and the party or attorney shall not file  
any copies.  
(3) A pleading must include the names of the parties, and the signature, address, and  
telephone number of the party or the attorney representing the party.  
(4) The signature of an attorney or party constitutes a certification by the signer of  
all of the following:  
(a) He or she has read the pleading.  
(b) To the best of his or her knowledge, information, and belief formed after  
reasonable inquiry, facts and either existing law or a good faith argument for a  
modification of existing law support the pleading.  
(c) The signer is not filing the pleading to harass, to cause unnecessary delay or  
needless increase in the cost of the proceedings, or for any other improper purpose.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.143 Claim of appeal.  
Rule 13. (1) To contest a controlling board's decision over which the commission  
has jurisdiction, an appellant shall do both of the following not later than 20 days after  
receipt of the controlling board's decision and notice of tenure rights:  
(a) On or before the close of business on the final day of the 20-day period, file a  
claim of appeal with the commission by personal delivery, by mail as defined in R  
38.146(2), or by electronic submission as defined in R 38.131. In all cases, the  
commission shall receive the claim of appeal in its entirety before the close of business  
on the final day of the 20-day period.  
Page 3  
(b) On or before the close of business on the final day of the 20-day period, serve a  
copy of the claim of appeal on the controlling board by personal delivery, by mail as  
defined in R 38.146(2), or by electronic submission as defined in R 38.131, with a  
statement that the controlling board shall file an answer to the claim of appeal not later  
than 10 days after service of the claim of appeal.  
(2) A claim of appeal must contain all of the following:  
(a) A statement showing that the commission has jurisdiction to consider the claim  
of appeal, including when and where the appellant earned tenure.  
(b) A clear and concise statement in separate numbered paragraphs of specific  
allegations of fact that reasonably inform the controlling board of the nature of the  
appellant’s claim.  
(c) A clear and concise description in separate numbered paragraphs of specific  
allegations of error that reasonably inform the controlling board of the nature of the  
appellant’s claim.  
(d) A statement of the relief requested.  
(e) The date of the claim of appeal.  
(f) The signature of the appellant or attorney.  
(g) The name; complete physical address and, if different, mailing address;  
telephone number; facsimile number, if available; and email address of the appellant or  
attorney.  
(3) A template of a claim of appeal is available on the commission’s website at:  
(4) As applicable, an appellant shall attach to the claim of appeal a copy of the  
charges and a copy of the written decision of the controlling board.  
(5) An appellant shall file with the commission a proof of service, as described in R  
38.146(3), showing compliance with subrule (1)(b) of this rule.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.144 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.145 Filing.  
Rule 15. (1) A party shall file pleadings and other documents under these rules with  
the commission, which shall receive pleadings and other documents in their entirety  
before the close of business on the last day of the time limit, if any, for the filing.  
(2) A party shall file pleadings and other documents with the commission by  
personal delivery, by mail as defined in R 38.146(2), or by electronic submission as  
defined in R 38.131.  
(3) If the commission receives a pleading or other document in whole or in part in  
the office of the commission after 5 p.m., the commission shall consider it filed on the  
next business day.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
Page 4  
R 38.146 Service; mail; proof of service.  
Rule 16. (1) A party shall serve pleadings and other documents on an attorney or on  
a party not represented by an attorney by personal delivery, by mail as defined in subrule  
(2) of this rule, or by electronic submission as defined in R 38.131.  
(2) Filing by mail or service by mail means enclosing in a sealed envelope with first-  
class mail postage fully prepaid, addressed to the commission or to the person served, and  
depositing the envelope in the United States government mail.  
(3) A party shall provide proof of service by filing with the commission written  
acknowledgment of service, an affidavit of the person making service, or other proof  
satisfactory to the commission.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.147 Answer.  
Rule 17. (1) Not later than 10 days after service of a copy of a claim of appeal, an  
appellee shall file an answer with the commission and shall serve a copy of the answer on  
all parties.  
(2) An answer must contain a specific admission or denial of each material  
allegation of fact contained in the claim of appeal and a statement of facts and affirmative  
allegations on which the appellee relies for defense.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.148 Amendments.  
Rule 18. The administrative law judge may permit a party to amend a pleading  
before, during, or after the conclusion of the hearing on terms that are just and consistent  
with due process.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.149 Joinder or dismissal of parties and consolidation of cases.  
Rule 19. In the exercise of discretion, the administrative law judge may order  
joinder or dismissal of parties or consolidation of cases.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
PART 3. MOTION PRACTICE  
R 38.151 Motions, general provisions.  
Page 5  
Rule 21. (1) A request to the administrative law judge or the commission for an  
order in a pending action must be by written, signed motion unless made during a  
hearing. The motion must include the particular grounds on which the moving party bases  
the motion, citations of supporting authority, the particular relief or order sought, and the  
signature of the party or the party's attorney. The moving party may file with the motion a  
supporting brief and affidavits and a request for a hearing date.  
(2) At the time a party files a written motion, the party shall serve on the opposing  
party a copy of the motion and, if filed, the brief, affidavits, and request for a hearing  
date; and a notice that the rules of the commission require a response to the motion not  
later than 10 days after service of the motion. The moving party shall file proof of service  
with the commission.  
(3) A respondent opposing a motion shall file a response not later than 10 days after  
service of the motion unless the administrative law judge or the commission otherwise  
orders, shall serve a copy of the response on the moving party, and shall file proof of  
service with the commission. The response must include citations of supporting authority  
and the signature of the respondent. The respondent may file with the response a  
supporting brief and affidavits and a request for a hearing date.  
(4) The administrative law judge or the commission may limit or dispense with oral  
arguments on motions.  
(5) An affidavit filed under this rule must meet all of the following requirements:  
(a) Be made on personal knowledge.  
(b) State with particularity facts admissible as evidence establishing or denying the  
grounds stated in the motion.  
(c) Show affirmatively that the affiant, if sworn as a witness, can testify  
competently to the facts stated in the affidavit.  
(6) The administrative law judge shall set the time, manner, and place for a hearing  
on a motion. However, the hearing on a motion must not cause a delay in the date for the  
conclusion of the hearing as set forth in section 4 of article IV of the act, MCL 38.104, or  
in the due dates of exceptions or cross-exceptions.  
(7) If the record does not establish the facts necessary for resolution of a motion, the  
administrative law judge may hear the motion on affidavits or may hear the motion  
wholly or partly on oral testimony or deposition.  
(8) The administrative law judge may direct that a hearing on a motion be held in  
Lansing, Detroit, or the county of the appellee.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.152 Motion for more definite statement.  
Rule 22. If a claim of appeal or answer does not reasonably inform the opposing  
party of the nature of the claim or defense, the opposing party may move for a more  
definite statement at any time. The motion must specify the claimed defects. If a party  
does not comply with an order granting a motion under this rule within 10 days of the  
order or within such other time as the administrative law judge sets, the administrative  
law judge may strike the challenged claim of appeal or answer or enter an order the  
administrative law judge deems just.  
Page 6  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.153 Motion to strike.  
Rule 23. On motion made by a party or on the administrative law judge's own  
initiative, the administrative law judge may issue an order striking redundant, immaterial,  
impertinent, scandalous, or indecent matter from pleadings.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.154 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
R 38.155 Motion for summary disposition.  
Rule 25. (1) A party may move for summary disposition on all or any part of a claim  
of appeal at any time. The motion must identify which of the following grounds supports  
the motion:  
(a) The appellant has failed to state a claim on which the commission can grant the  
requested relief.  
(b) The controlling board has failed to state a valid defense.  
(c) There is no genuine issue as to a material fact except as to the relief and the  
moving party has the right to judgment as a matter of law.  
(d) The commission lacks jurisdiction of the subject matter.  
(e) The claim of appeal is untimely.  
(f) The claim of appeal cannot proceed because of some other disability of the  
appellant or other disposition of the claim.  
(2) The administrative law judge may consider only the pleadings when the motion  
for summary disposition is under subrule (1)(a) or (b) of this rule.  
(3) A party filing a motion based on subrule (1)(c) of this rule shall file supporting  
affidavits, depositions, admissions, or other documentary evidence and the motion must  
specifically identify the issues as to which the moving party believes there is no genuine  
issue of material fact. When considering a motion under subrule (1)(c) of this rule, the  
administrative law judge shall consider the supporting documents and the pleadings,  
depositions, admissions, and documentary evidence then filed in the action or submitted  
by the parties. If a party makes a motion under subrule (1)(c) of this rule and supports the  
motion as provided in this subrule, an adverse party may not rest on the mere allegation  
or denial of pleadings but shall, by affidavits, depositions, admissions, or other  
documentary evidence, set forth specific facts showing that there is a genuine issue for  
hearing. If the adverse party does not respond, the administrative law judge shall enter  
summary disposition, if appropriate. The administrative law judge shall enter summary  
disposition if the pleadings show a party’s entitlement to summary disposition as a matter  
of law or if the affidavits or other proof shows that there is no genuine issue of fact. If it  
appears that the opposing party, rather than the moving party, has the right to summary  
Page 7  
disposition, the administrative law judge may enter summary disposition in the opposing  
party's favor without a motion.  
(4) The administrative law judge may order an immediate hearing on disputed  
questions of fact and may enter summary disposition if the proofs show that the moving  
party has the right to summary disposition or the administrative law judge may postpone  
the hearing on the motion until the hearing on the claim of appeal.  
(5) If a motion for summary disposition is under subrule (1)(a), (b), or (c) of this  
rule, the administrative law judge shall give the parties an opportunity to amend their  
pleadings unless the evidence before the administrative law judge shows that amendment  
would be futile.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.156 Motion for adjournment or continuance of hearing.  
Rule 26. An administrative law judge may grant a request for adjournment or  
continuance of a hearing for good cause. Any adjournment or continuance is subject to  
the mandatory date for the conclusion of the hearing as set forth in section 4 of article IV  
of the act, MCL 38.104.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.157 Lack of progress or repeated failure to follow statute or rule.  
Rule 27. After a party, the administrative law judge, or the commission notifies a  
party of an alleged deficiency and an opportunity to respond or comply within 10 days,  
the administrative law judge or the commission may dismiss an appeal or deny a  
discharge or demotion for a party's lack of progress or for a party's repeated failure to  
comply with the procedures specified in section 4 of article IV of the act, MCL 38.104, or  
these rules. A party may move to set aside an order under this rule within 10 days of the  
issuance of the order. The administrative law judge shall not grant a motion to set aside  
an order under this rule unless the moving party shows good cause and files an affidavit  
of facts showing a meritorious claim or defense.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.158 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
R 38.159 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
Page 8  
PART 4. PREHEARING CONFERENCE  
R 38.161 Scope of prehearing conference.  
Rule 31. Unless, in the exercise of discretion, the administrative law judge  
determines that a prehearing conference is unnecessary, the administrative law judge  
shall direct the parties and their attorneys to participate in a prehearing conference, either  
in person or by telephone, to do the following:  
(a) State and simplify the factual and legal issues involved and consider the  
amendment of pleadings.  
(b) Consider the resolution of motions before hearing, the consolidation of the case  
with another, admissions of fact and of the authenticity of documents, stipulations to the  
admissibility of evidence, and limitations on the number of witnesses and the nature and  
extent of the relief demanded.  
(c) Determine dates for the exchange of all proposed documentary evidence.  
(d) Determine dates for the exchange of a list of possible witnesses.  
(e) Set the date or dates for the hearing.  
(f) Discuss the possibility of settlement.  
(g) Determine whether and when the parties shall file pre-hearing briefs.  
(h) Consider all other matters that may aid in the disposition of the claim of appeal.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.162 Prehearing summary.  
Rule 32. The administrative law judge shall prepare and serve on the parties a  
summary of the results of the prehearing conference within 5 days after the prehearing  
conference. The parties, within 5 days of service of the summary, may file objections to  
the summary.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.163 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.164 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
R 38.165 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
Page 9  
PART 5. HEARINGS, EXCEPTIONS, AND CORRECTION OF MISTAKES  
R 38.171 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.172 Conduct of evidentiary hearing; stipulations of fact; objections; rules  
of evidence; rules of privilege; official notice.  
Rule 42. (1) An administrative law judge shall conduct a hearing for the purpose of  
taking evidence on a claim of appeal.  
(2) A party may call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses and introduce into the  
record documentary or other evidence.  
(3) The administrative law judge may admit stipulations of fact into evidence.  
(4) A party may make an oral or written objection to the conduct of the hearing,  
including an objection to the introduction of evidence, and shall describe the grounds for  
the objection.  
(5) The administrative law judge shall apply the rules of evidence that apply in a  
nonjury civil case in circuit court as far as practicable, but the administrative law judge  
may admit and give probative effect to evidence of a type on which reasonably prudent  
people commonly rely in the conduct of their affairs.  
(6) The administrative law judge may exclude irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly  
repetitious evidence.  
(7) The administrative law judge shall apply the rules of privilege recognized by  
law.  
(8) The administrative law judge may take official notice of judicially cognizable  
facts and may take notice of general, technical, or scientific facts within the commission's  
specialized knowledge.  
(9) For matters that these rules do not specifically address, R 792.10101 to R  
792.10137, the Michigan court rules, and chapter 4 of the administrative procedures act  
of 1969, 1969 PA 306, MCL 24.271 to 24.288, apply.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.173 Subpoenas.  
Rule 43. (1) The administrative law judge shall sign and issue a subpoena to a party  
requesting it for a witness or documentary or physical evidence. The requesting party  
shall fill in the subpoena before service.  
(2) A subpoena must state the title of the matter and must command attendance and  
testimony or production of documentary or physical evidence at a time and place  
specified in the subpoena.  
(3) A party shall serve a subpoena in the manner prescribed by statute or the  
Michigan court rules for subpoenas in civil actions unless the administrative law judge  
Page 10  
allows service in another manner reasonably calculated to give the person actual notice of  
the subpoena.  
(4) On motion at or before the time specified in a subpoena for compliance, the  
administrative law judge may quash or modify the subpoena if it is unreasonable or  
oppressive.  
(5) Witnesses subpoenaed before the commission shall receive the same fees and  
mileage that witnesses in circuit courts receive. The party at whose request a witness  
appears shall pay the witness fees and mileage to the witness.  
(6) The prevailing party may recover witness fees and mileage as costs if the  
commission so directs.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.174 Discovery.  
Rule 44. There may be discovery on leave of the administrative law judge or on  
stipulation of all parties. A party shall not file a motion for discovery unless the party has  
requested the discovery unsuccessfully. The parties shall complete all discovery before  
the commencement of the hearing.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.174a Physical and mental examination.  
Rule 44a. (1) If the appellant places his or her mental or physical condition in  
controversy, the administrative law judge, on motion for good cause with notice to the  
appellant and all parties, may order the appellant to submit to a physical or mental  
examination by a physician or other appropriate professional. The order must specify the  
time, place, manner, conditions, and scope of the examination and the name of the  
examiner or examiners.  
(2) On request of the appellant or his or her attorney, the party who requested the  
examination under subrule (1) of this rule shall deliver to the appellant or his or her  
attorney a copy of a detailed written report of the examiner or examiners setting out the  
findings, including all test results, diagnoses, and conclusions, and all reports on earlier  
examinations pertaining to the same condition, and shall make available for inspection all  
diagnostic aids.  
(3) After delivery of the report specified in subrule (2) of this rule, the party who  
requested the examination shall, upon request, receive from the appellant a similar report  
of any examination previously or thereafter made pertaining to the same condition and to  
a similar inspection of all diagnostic aids.  
(4) If an appellant refuses to deliver a report requested under subrule (3) of this rule,  
the administrative law judge, on motion and notice, may enter an order requiring delivery  
on just terms. If an examiner refuses or fails to provide a report required under this rule,  
the administrative law judge may order the examiner to appear for a discovery deposition.  
(5) By requesting and obtaining a report on an examination ordered under this rule  
or by taking the deposition of the examiner, the appellant waives any privilege he or she  
may have in the action, or another action involving the same controversy, regarding the  
Page 11  
testimony of every other person who has examined or may thereafter examine the person  
as to the same mental or physical condition.  
(6) Subrule (2) of this rule applies to an examination made by agreement of the  
parties, unless the agreement expressly provides otherwise.  
(7) Subrule (2) of this rule does not preclude discovery of a report of an examiner or  
the taking of a deposition of the examiner under any other statute or rule.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.175 Briefs.  
Rule 45. The administrative law judge may require the parties to file briefs, may  
limit the length of the briefs, and shall designate the manner of and time for filing and  
serving the briefs.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.176 Exceptions, cross-exceptions, statement in support of preliminary  
decision and order, supporting briefs.  
Rule 46. (1) Within the time allowed by the act and in the manner required by R  
38.142(2), a party shall file a statement of exceptions, statement of cross-exceptions, or  
statement in support of the preliminary decision and order, and supporting brief.  
(2) Except by order of the commission, briefs must not exceed 50 double-spaced  
pages using margins of at least 1 inch and type of at least 12-points, exclusive of tables,  
indexes, appendices, and title page. Single spacing of quotations and footnotes is  
permissible.  
(3) A brief under this rule must contain, in the following order, all of the following:  
(a) A table of contents listing the exceptions or cross-exceptions in the order of  
presentation, with the page number where the argument related to each exception or  
cross-exception begins in the brief.  
(b) An index of authorities listing in alphabetical order all authorities cited, with  
the page numbers where they appear in the brief.  
(c) A statement of facts supported by specific page references to the record.  
(d) The arguments, which must correspond to each exception or cross-exception.  
(e) The relief requested.  
(f) The signature of the party or attorney.  
(4) If, on its own initiative or on a party's motion, the commission finds that a brief  
does not substantially comply with the requirements in this rule, the commission may  
order the party who filed the brief to file a supplemental brief within a specified time  
correcting the deficiencies. If the party does not comply with the order, the commission  
may strike the nonconforming brief.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2012 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.177 Decision or order.  
Page 12  
Rule 47. (1) A decision or order of the commission is effective only if a majority of  
the members of the commission vote on it.  
(2) The commission shall serve a written decision or order by certified mail on the  
parties or on their attorneys.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
R 38.178 Rescinded.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS.  
R 38.179 Correction of mistakes.  
Rule 49. The commission may correct clerical mistakes in judgments, orders, or  
other parts of the record and mistakes arising from oversight or omission at any time on  
its own initiative or, after notice, on motion of a party.  
History: 1998-2000 AACS; 2020 MR 3, Eff. Feb. 6, 2020.  
Page 13  
;