Section 161.4.23. Review of proposed decision on appeal to the commission.

       4.23(1) Appeal by party. Any adversely affected party may appeal a proposed decision to the commission within 30 days after issuance of the proposed decision.

       4.23(2) Review. The commission may initiate review of a proposed decision on its own motion at any time within 60 days following the issuance of such a decision.

       4.23(3) Notice of appeal. An appeal of a proposed decision is initiated by filing a timely notice of appeal with the Iowa civil rights commission. The notice of appeal must be signed by the appealing party or a representative of that party and contain a certificate of service. The notice shall specify:

        a.           The parties initiating the appeal;

        b.           The proposed decision or order appealed from;

        c.           The specific findings or conclusions to which exception is taken and any other exceptions to the decision or order;

        d.           The relief sought;

        e.           The grounds for relief.

       4.23(4) If an appeal or motion for review is filed, the executive director shall set a review date. The parties shall be notified of this date by certified mail. Copies of this notification shall also be sent to counsel and the commissioners.

       4.23(5) An appeal is filed with the commission by delivering the notice of appeal to the commission at its offices in Des Moines. All appeals and briefs shall be sent to the executive director of the Iowa civil rights commission in care of the commission at its Des Moines address. An appeal may be filed by any of the methods described in 161—subrules 3.5(1) to 3.5(4). Regardless of the method used to file an appeal, the date an appeal is filed is the date it is actually received by the commission in Des Moines.

       4.23(6) Oral argument. All parties or their attorneys shall be allowed ten minutes to present oral argument to the commission whenever the commission reviews a proposed decision pursuant to this rule. The commission may, in its discretion, allow oral argument to continue longer.

       4.23(7) Briefs and arguments. Unless otherwise ordered, within 20 days of the notice of appeal or order for review, each appealing party may file exceptions and briefs. Within 20 days thereafter, any party may file a responsive brief. Briefs shall cite any applicable legal authority and specify relevant portions of the record in that proceeding. The commission may shorten or extend the briefing period as appropriate. When filing a brief the party shall file an original and nine copies.