Conduct of Oral Proceeding

Conduct of Oral Proceeding. 1. Presiding officer. The presiding officer shall have authority to conduct the proceeding in his or her discretion for orderly conduct. 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, (III) call on those individuals who have contacted the Commission about speaking on or against the proposed rule, (IV) allow for rebuttal statements following all participants’ comments (V) adjourn the proceeding. 2. Questions. The presiding officer, where time permits, to facilitate the exchange of information, may open the floor to questions or general discussion. 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 submission made by those participants in that proceeding, but no participant shall be required to answer any question. 3. 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. 4. Recording. The Commission may record oral proceedings by stenographic or electronic means.