Conduct of Public Hearing

Conduct of Public Hearing. A. Public hearings will be conducted at such times, locations and facilities selected by the MDWFP. Representatives of the Commission or employees of the MDWFP will preside over the public hearing. Prior to the commencement of the hearing, individuals in attendance will sign in on forms or registers provided by MDWFP. At that time, they will indicate whether they wish to make oral comments at the public hearing. Those individuals who indicate that they wish to make oral comments will be called on to do so before the end of the public hearing. Any individual called on to make oral comments may waive his election to do so. Individuals not indicating their election to speak at the time that they sign in at the hearing will not be called on to make oral comments, will not be allowed to "pass" their remarks until later in the hearing and will not be allowed to allot any unused time to another individual. B. Comments during the hearing must address the subject of the hearing. Comments on matters other than the subject of the hearing will not be allowed and will not be part of the consideration of the Commission or Department on the proposed rule, regulation or public notice. The representative or employee of MDWFP who is selected to preside over the public hearing will announce before the commencement of oral comments the length of time each individual will be allowed to make comments. The time limit will be set after considering the number of individuals requesting time for oral comments and the total time available to conduct the entire public hearing. C. The presiding representative or employee will make any additional orders, decisions and ruling which in his judgment are necessary for the orderly, fair, and efficient conduct of the public hearing. D. Presentations on proposed rules, regulations and public notices may be allowed at the discretion of the Executive Director of MDWFP or the presiding representative of the Commission or employee of the Department.