Rule 22-616. Conduct of hearings.

A. Presiding official. Unless a hearing officer is designated by the board, the board chairperson shall preside at the hearings of the board conducted pursuant to these rules. If the chairperson is unable to preside at the hearing, the chairperson shall appoint another member of the board to preside. B. Oath or affirmation. Witnesses at the hearing must be examined under oath or affirmation. C. Order of hearing. Evidence supporting the grounds for denial of an application for certification or for disciplinary action against a certified court reporter or court monitor who is the subject of the hearing shall be presented first. The reporter or monitor may then introduce any evidence the reporter or monitor desires the board to hear. D. Closing argument. The board may, in its discretion, permit the parties to make closing argument and summations. E. Findings and conclusions. The board, in its discretion, may request and consider proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law submitted by the parties to be submitted within a time allowed by the board. F. Conduct of hearings. Subject to these rules, the conduct of the hearing shall be at the discretion of the board.