HAR §15-15-62. Ex parte communications

(a) No person whether or not a party to a proceeding before the commission shall make an unauthorized ex parte communication either oral or written about the proceeding to any member of the commission or hearings officer who will be a participant in the decision-making process. (b) “Unauthorized ex parte communication” means private communications or arguments with members of the commission or its hearings officer as to the merits of a proceeding with a view towards influencing the outcome of the petition or proceeding. (c) The following classes of ex parte communications are permitted: (1) Communications which relate solely to matters which a commission member or hearings officer is authorized by the commission to dispose of on ex parte basis, including communications regarding scheduling or other procedural matters regarding the course of the proceeding; (2) Requests for information with respect to the status of a proceeding; (3) Communications which all parties to the proceeding agree or which the commission has formally ruled may be made on an ex parte basis; and (4) Communications with representatives of any news media on matters intended to inform the general public. [Eff 10/27/86; am and comp 8/16/97; comp May 08 2000] (Auth: HRS §§205-1, 205-7) (Imp: HRS §§91-2, 91-13, 205-4)