; Hearing phase

; Hearing phase. The hearing officer shall preside over the hearing; administer oaths; rule on procedural matters; and, maintain order and decorum. Ethics Commission members may attend the hearing to listen to all testimony and other evidence presented. The Ethics Commission shall determine what portion of the cost of a court reporter and, if necessary, one (1) transcript for the use by the Ethics Commission the Secretary of State’s Office or the lobbyist or lobbyist’s client shall bear. The Ethics Commission shall not be bound by strict rules of procedure or by the rules of evidence in the conduct of the proceedings. The hearing shall be open to the public.