The license cannot be revoked by the commissioner before a hearing. True or false?

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Only for temporary revocation
• D. Revocation requires consent

Answer: (A)

The key idea here is due process in administrative actions. When a license to operate a surface mine is at stake, it’s treated as a property interest that belongs to the holder. Because taking away that license is a serious government action, there must be a hearing so the operator can respond to the charges, present evidence, and have an impartial decision-maker review the facts. That right to a hearing before a license revocation protects against arbitrary or capricious action and ensures the regulator bases its decision on the record.

So, stating that the license cannot be revoked by the commissioner before a hearing aligns with the required due-process process. It isn’t about needing the licensee’s consent to revoke; it’s about giving the licensee a fair opportunity to be heard. The other choices would imply exceptions (such as pre-hearing actions for emergencies or that consent is needed), which do not fit the standard due-process principle described here.