OAR 137-001-0030: Conduct of Rulemaking Hearings

(1) The hearing to consider a rule shall be conducted by and shall be under the control of the presiding officer. The presiding officer may be the chief administrative officer of the agency, a member of its governing body, or any other person designated by the agency. (2) At the beginning of the hearing, any person wishing to be heard shall provide their name, address, and affiliation to the presiding officer. The presiding officer may also require that the person complete a form showing any other information the presiding officer deems appropriate. Additional persons may be heard at the discretion of the presiding officer. (3) At the beginning of the hearing, the presiding officer must summarize, to the extent requested by any participant, the content of the notice given under ORS 183.335. (4) Subject to the discretion of the presiding officer, the order of the presentation shall be: (a) Statements of proponents; (b) Statements of opponents; and (c) Statements of other witnesses present and wishing to be heard. (5) The presiding officer or any member of the agency may question any witness making a statement at the hearing. The presiding officer may permit other persons to question witnesses. (6) There shall be no additional statement given by any witness unless requested or permitted by the presiding officer. (7) The hearing may be continued with recesses as determined by the presiding officer until all listed witnesses have had an opportunity to testify. (8) The presiding officer shall, when practicable, receive all physical and documentary evidence presented by witnesses. Exhibits shall be marked and shall identify the witness offering the exhibit. Any written exhibits shall be preserved by the agency pursuant to any applicable retention schedule for public records under ORS 192.001 et seq. (9) The presiding officer may set reasonable time limits for oral presentation and may exclude or limit cumulative, repetitious, or immaterial matter. (10) The presiding officer shall make a record of the proceeding, by audio or video tape recording, stenographic reporting or minutes.