The environmental review appeals commission created in section 3745.02 of the Revised Code has exclusive original jurisdiction over any matter that may be brought before it under Chapter 3745. of the Revised Code or this chapter. For purposes of this section, the terms "any person," "act," and "action" have the same meanings as in section 3745.04 of the Revised Code.

Any person who has been aggrieved or adversely affected by an act or action of the emergency response commission or the executive committee of the commission may appeal to the environmental review appeals commission seeking an order vacating or modifying the act or action or requiring the emergency response commission or executive committee to perform an act or action. The person appealing to the environmental review appeals commission shall be known as the appellant and the emergency response commission or executive committee and any party substantially supporting the finding of the emergency response commission shall be known as an appellee. The appeal shall be in the form of a notice of appeal and shall set forth the action complained of and the grounds upon which the appeal is based. The appeal shall be filed with the environmental review appeals commission within thirty days after notice of the act or action. Notice of the filing of the appeal shall be filed with the emergency response commission or executive committee within three days after the appeal is filed with the environmental review appeals commission. Within fourteen days after receipt of the notice of appeal, the emergency response commission or executive committee shall prepare and certify to the environmental review appeals commission a record of proceedings out of which the appeal arises, including all documents. The setting of a hearing, the conduct of the hearing, the availability of a stay, the environmental review appeals commission's decision-making process, and all other procedures of the environmental review appeals commission that are established in Chapter 3745. of the Revised Code and are not inconsistent with this chapter shall govern hearings under this section. For purposes of hearings held under this chapter or Chapter 3745. of the Revised Code, the environmental review appeals commission may employ hearing examiners to conduct hearings and may create a record by stenographic means or by the use of audio electronic recording devices, as it determines.

Notwithstanding any provision of Chapter 119. or 3745. of the Revised Code, no adjudication hearing shall be held by the emergency response commission or executive committee prior to any act or action under this chapter. All appeals of acts or actions by the emergency response commission shall be heard in a hearing de novo before the environmental review appeals commission. Appeals from orders of the environmental review appeals commission shall be conducted in accordance with section 3745.06 of the Revised Code.

Effective Date: 12-02-1996.