Conduct of Oral Proceeding

Conduct of Oral Proceeding. A. Presiding officer. The presiding officer shall have authority to conduct the proceeding in his or her discretion for the orderly conduct of the proceeding. The presiding officer shall: I. Call proceeding to order; II. Give a brief synopsis of the proposed rule, a statement of the statutory authority for the proposed rule, and the reasons provided by the Commission for the proposed rule; Call on those individuals who have contacted the Commission about speaking on III. or against the proposed rule; IV. Allow for rebuttal statements following all participants’ comments; V. Adjourn the meeting. B. Questions. The presiding officer, where time permits and to facilitate the exchange of information, may open the floor to questions or general discussions. The presiding officer may question participants and permit the questioning of participants by other participants about any matter relating to that rule making proceeding, including any prior written submissions made by those participants in that proceeding; but no participant shall be required to answer any question. C. Physical and Documentary Submissions. Submissions presented by participants in an oral proceeding shall be submitted to the presiding officer. Such submissions become the property of the Commission and are subject to the Commission’s public records request procedure. D. Recording. The Commission may record oral proceedings by stenographic or electronic means.