HAR §13-167-56. Conduct of hearing

(a) Contested case hearings shall be conducted in accordance with this subchapter, and chapter 91, HRS. (b) The presiding officer shall have the power to give notice of the hearing, administer oaths, compel attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence, examine witnesses, certify to official acts, issue subpoenas, rule on offers of proof, receive relevant evidence, hold conferences before and during hearings, rule on objections or motions, fix times for submitting documents, briefs, and dispose of other matters that normally and properly arise in the course of a hearing authorized by law that are necessary for the orderly and just conduct of a hearing. The commission members may examine and cross-examine witnesses. (c) The chairperson of the commission shall be the presiding officer. However, the chairperson may designate another commission member, an appointed representative, or a master to be presiding officer unless prohibited by law. (d) The commission may conduct the hearing or, unless otherwise prohibited by law, the commission in its discretion may designate a hearing officer or master to conduct contested case hearings. (e) The presiding officer shall provide that a verbatim record of the evidence presented at any hearing is taken unless waived by all the parties. Any party may obtain a certified transcript of the proceedings upon payment of the fee established by law for a copy of the transcript. (f) In hearings on applications, petitions, complaints, and violations, the petitioner or complainant shall make the first opening statement and the last closing argument unless the commission directs otherwise. Other parties shall be heard in such order as the presiding officer directs. After all parties close their case, the department may make its recommendations, if any. (g) Where a party is represented by more than one counsel, they may allocate witnesses between them but only one of the counsel shall be permitted to cross-examine a witness or to state any objections or to make closing arguments. (h) Each party shall have the right to conduct such cross-examinations of the witnesses as may be required for a UNOFFICIAL COMPILATION 167-25 full and true disclosure of the relevant facts and shall have the right to submit rebuttal evidence, subject to limitation by the presiding officer. (i) To avoid unnecessary or repetitive evidence, the presiding officer may limit the number of witnesses, the extent of direct or cross examination, or the time for testimony upon a particular issue subject to law. (j) Any procedure in a contested case may be modified or waived by stipulation of the parties and informal disposition may be made of any contested case by stipulation, agreed settlement, consent order or default. [Eff. MAY 27 1988] (Auth: HRS §§91-2, 174C-8) (Imp: HRS §§91-9, 92- 16)