50 CFR § 221.34 - What is the law governing ex parte communications?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t50/s221.34"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "50 CFR § 221.34 - What is the law governing ex parte communications?"
title_number: 50
title_name: "Wildlife and Fisheries"
section_number: "221.34"
section_name: "What is the law governing ex parte communications?"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MARINE MAMMALS"
part_number: "221"
part_name: "CONDITIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS IN FERC HYDROPOWER LICENSES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "16 U.S.C. 797(e), 811, 823d."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 17207, Mar. 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "221"
---


# 221.34 What is the law governing ex parte communications?

(a) Ex parte communications with the ALJ or his or her staff are prohibited in accordance with 5 U.S.C. 554(d).

(b) This section does not prohibit ex parte inquiries concerning case status or procedural requirements, unless the inquiry involves an area of controversy in the hearing process.