The OAH is headed by a Chief Administrative Law Judge, who is appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the state senate.Md. Code Ann., State Govt. § 9-1600 et seq., "Office of Administrative Hearings." The Chief Administrative Law Judge then appoints individual administrative law judges. The Chief Administrative Law Judge and the appointed administrative law judge both have the authority to hear cases. Administrative law judges have the authority to compel the appearance of witnesses at a hearing. The right of appeal is generally limited to a review of the record of the proceedings before the administrative law judge; that is, if a party appeals the final decision of an administrative law judge to a Maryland circuit court, the court will decide the case based on the evidence that was brought before the administrative law judge, or may order the administrative law judge to conduct further proceedings, but will not conduct a new trial.Md. Code Ann., State Govt. § 10-222 (Therefore, it is essential that all parties to an administrative hearing be fully prepared.)
