OAR 137-003-0600: Conducting the Contested Case Hearing

(1) The contested case hearing shall be conducted by and under the control of the administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings. (2) If the administrative law judge has an actual or potential conflict of interest as defined in ORS 244.020(1) or (12), that administrative law judge shall comply with the requirements of ORS Chapter 244 (e.g., 244.120 and 244.130). (3) At the commencement of the hearing, the administrative law judge shall explain the issues involved in the hearing and the matters that the parties must either prove or disprove. (4) The hearing shall be conducted so as to include the following: (a) The statement and evidence of the proponent in support of its action; (b) The statement and evidence of opponents, interested agencies, and other parties; except that limited parties may address only subjects within the area to which they have been limited; (c) Any rebuttal evidence; and (d) Any closing arguments. (5) The administrative law judge, the agency through an agency representative or assistant attorney general, interested agencies through an assistant attorney general, and parties or their attorneys or authorized representatives shall have the right to question witnesses. However, limited parties may question only those witnesses whose testimony may relate to the area or areas of participation granted by the agency. (6) The hearing may be continued with recesses as determined by the administrative law judge. (7) The administrative law judge may set reasonable time limits for oral presentation and may exclude or limit cumulative, repetitious, irrelevant or immaterial matter. (8) Exhibits shall be marked and maintained by the administrative law judge as part of the record of the proceedings. (9) If the administrative law judge receives any written or oral ex parte communication during the contested case proceeding, the administrative law judge shall notify all parties and otherwise comply with the requirements of OAR 137-003-0625. (10) The administrative law judge may request that any closing arguments be submitted in writing or orally.