HEARINGS

HEARINGS. Hearings before the Mississippi State Oil & Gas Board shall be called by the Board for the purpose of taking any action in respect to any matter within its jurisdiction upon its own motion or upon the request or application of any interested party. Upon receipt of a proper written request or petition for hearing, the Board shall place the request or petition on the docket, call a hearing within thirty (30) days after proper notice of the hearing and after such hearing and with all convenient speed, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the conclusion of the hearing, shall take action with regard to the subject matter thereof. In extra-ordinary cases, the Board may take matters under advisement no longer than three regular Board meetings to gather additional evidence it may need in order to render its final decision. Regular monthly meetings shall be held by the Board on the third Wednesday of each month at a time and place specified in the minutes of the Board. All hearings shall be open to the public and be held in Jackson, Mississippi, at a place designated by the Board by entry on its minutes unless otherwise ordered by the Board. Where circumstances permit, the Board, after sounding the docket, shall first call up and dispose of all motions and non-contested matters. Subject to other provisions of these Rules, interested parties shall have the right to be heard at all hearings and to present witnesses and other evidence whether or not represented by legal counsel or technical assistance.