Alternative dispute resolution; authorization; procedures;

agency coordinators. A. An agency shall provide interested parties with access to alternative dispute resolution procedures to prevent or resolve any dispute, issue or controversy involving any of the agency's operations, policies, programs or functions, including formal and informal adjudications, rulemakings, enforcement actions, permitting, certifications, licensing, policy development and contract administration. Alternative dispute resolution procedures are voluntary and may be initiated at the request of the agency or an interested party to a dispute. Either party may decline to participate in a requested or offered alternative dispute resolution activity. B. An agency that participates in alternative dispute resolution shall develop a written agreement to be signed by interested parties that: (1) provides for the appointment of neutral parties, consultants or experts agreed upon by all parties and serving at the will of all parties. A neutral party, consultant or expert shall have no official, financial or personal conflict of interest with any issue or party in controversy unless the conflict of interest is fully disclosed in writing to all of the parties and all parties agree that the person may continue to serve; (2) specifies any limitation periods applicable to the commencement or conclusion of formal administrative or judicial proceedings and, if applicable, specifies any time periods that the parties have agreed to waive; (3) contains provisions for alternative dispute resolution that conform with rules promulgated by the division; and (4) sets forth how costs and expenses of the procedure chosen shall be equitably apportioned among the parties. C. An agreement, developed pursuant to Subsection B of this section, may be included in an enforcement order, stipulation, contract, permit or other document entered into or issued by the agency. D. The administrative head of an agency may designate an employee as the alternative dispute resolution coordinator for that agency. The coordinator shall: (1) make recommendations to the agency's executive staff on issues and disputes that are suitable for alternative dispute resolution; (2) analyze the agency's enabling statutes and rules to determine whether they contain impediments to the use of alternative dispute resolution or inconsistencies with rules promulgated by the office and suggest any modifications; (3) monitor the agency's use of alternative dispute resolution; (4) arrange for training of agency staff in alternative dispute resolution; (5) respond to inquiries from the office or council concerning the agency's use of alternative dispute resolution; (6) make recommendations to the office and council concerning development and implementation of rules, standards and educational materials; (7) serve as the agency's liaison with the office and the council; and (8) provide information about the office's rules and the agency's alternative dispute resolution procedures to the agency's staff and to the public.