(a) The following designations are made by the Secretary of Agriculture to the Office of Administrative Law Judges:
(1) Administrative law judges (formerly hearing examiners) are designated pursuant to 5 U.S.C. 556(b)(3) to hold hearings and perform related duties in proceedings subject to 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557, arising under the Agricultural Marketing Agreement Act of 1937, as amended (7 U.S.C. 601 et seq.); the Commodity Exchange Act as amended (7 U.S.C. 1 et seq.); the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 499a et seq.); the Federal Seed Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 1551 et seq.); the (Laboratory) Animal Welfare Act, as amended (7 U.S.C. 2131 et seq.); the Packers and Stockyards Act, 1921, as amended and supplemented (7 U.S.C. 181 et seq.); the Forest Resources Conservation and Shortage Relief of 1990 (16 U.S.C. 630 et seq.); and any other acts providing for hearings to which the provisions of 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557, are applicable. Pursuant to the applicable rules of practice, the administrative law judges shall make initial decisions in adjudication and rate proceedings subject to 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557. Such decisions shall become final without further proceedings unless there is an appeal to the Secretary by a party to the proceeding in accordance with the applicable rules of practice: Provided, however, that no decision shall be final for purposes of judicial review except a final decision of the Secretary upon appeal. As used herein, ``Secretary'' means the Secretary of Agriculture, the Judicial Officer, or other officer or employee of the Department delegated, pursuant to the Act of April 4, 1940 (7 U.S.C. 450c-450g), and Reorganization Plan No. 2 of 1953 (5 U.S.C. App.), ``regulatory functions'' as that term is defined in the 1940 Act, in acting as final deciding officer in adjudication and rate proceedings subject to 5 U.S.C. 556 and 557. Administrative Law Judges are delegated authority to hold hearings and perform related duties as provided in the Rules of Practice Governing Cease and Desist Proceedings Under Section 2 of the Capper-Volstead Act, set forth in part 1, subpart I of this title.
(2) [Reserved]
(b) The Chief Administrative Law Judge is delegated the following administrative responsibilities subject to the guidance and control of the Assistant Secretary for Administration (See Sec. 2.24(a)(12)):
(1) Exercise general responsibility and authority for all matters related to the administrative activities of the Office of Administrative Law Judges; and
(2) Direct the functions of the Hearing Clerk as set out in Sec. 2.24(a)(12)(iii). [60 FR 56393, Nov. 8, 1995, as amended at 75 FR 43380, July 23, 2010]