(a) Appealing a denied USDA-plan license application. A license applicant may appeal the denial of a license application.

(1) If the AMS Administrator sustains an applicant's appeal of a licensing denial, the applicant will be issued a USDA hemp production license.

(2) If the AMS Administrator denies an appeal, the applicant's license application will be denied. The applicant may request a formal adjudicatory proceeding within 30 days to review the decision. Such proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rules of Practice Governing Adjudicatory Proceedings, 7 CFR part 1, subpart H.

(b) Appealing a denied USDA-plan license renewal. A producer may appeal the denial of a license renewal.

(1) If the AMS Administrator sustains a producer's appeal of a licensing renewal decision, the applicant's USDA hemp production license will be renewed.

(2) If the AMS Administrator denies the appeal, the applicant's license will not be renewed. The denied producer may request a formal adjudicatory proceeding within 30 days to review the decision. Such proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings, 7 CFR part 1, subpart H.

(c) Appealing a USDA-plan license termination or suspension. A USDA hemp plan producer may appeal the termination or suspension of a license.

(1) If the AMS Administrator sustains the appeal of a license termination or suspension, the producer will retain their license.

(2) If the AMS Administrator denies the appeal, the producer's license will be terminated or suspended. The producer may request a formal adjudicatory proceeding within 30 days to review the decision. Such proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rules of Practice Governing Formal Adjudicatory Proceedings, 7 CFR part 1, subpart H.

(d) Filing period. The appeal of a denied license application, denied license renewal, suspension, or termination must be filed within the time-period provided in the letter of notification or within 30 business days from receipt of the notification, whichever occurs later. The appeal will be considered “filed” on the date received by the AMS Administrator. The decision to deny a license application or renewal, or suspend or terminate a license, is final unless a formal adjudicatory proceeding is requested within 30 days to review the decision. Such proceeding shall be conducted pursuant to the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Rules of Practice Governing Adjudicatory Proceedings, 7 CFR part 1, subpart H.

(e) Where to file. Appeals to the Administrator must be filed in the manner as determined by AMS.

(f) What to include. All appeals must include a copy of the adverse decision and a statement of the appellant's reasons for believing that the decision was not proper or made in accordance with applicable program regulations in this part, policies, or procedures.