33 CFR § 20.206 - Separation of functions.

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t33/s20.206"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "33 CFR § 20.206 - Separation of functions."
title_number: 33
title_name: "Navigation and Navigable Waters"
section_number: "20.206"
section_name: "Separation of functions."
chapter_name: "COAST GUARD, DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY"
subchapter_number: "A"
subchapter_name: "GENERAL"
part_number: "20"
part_name: "RULES OF PRACTICE, PROCEDURE, AND EVIDENCE FOR FORMAL ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEEDINGS OF THE COAST GUARD"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-04-05"
last_updated: "2026-04-05"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "33 U.S.C. 1321; 42 U.S.C. 9609; 46 U.S.C. 7701, 7702; Department of Homeland Security Delegation No. 0170.1, para. 2(73)."
regulatory_source: "CGD 98-3472, 64 FR 28062, May 24, 1999, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "20"
---


# 20.206 Separation of functions.

(a) No ALJ may be responsible to, or supervised or directed by, an officer, employee, or agent who investigates for or represents the Coast Guard.

(b) No officer, employee, or agent of the Coast Guard who investigates for or represents the Coast Guard in connection with any administrative proceeding may, in that proceeding or one factually related, participate or advise in the decision of the ALJ or of the Commandant in an appeal, except as a witness or counsel in the proceeding or the appeal.