OAR 345-015-0435: Suspension of Hearing and Exclusion of a Party

(1) If any person engages in conduct that interferes with the hearing officer's duty in connection with any aspect of a contested case proceeding or fails to obey an order of the hearing officer, the hearing officer may suspend the contested case proceeding or order such person excluded from the proceeding temporarily or permanently. Conduct that interferes with the hearing officer's duties includes conduct impeding discovery, conduct impeding schedules, or disruptive conduct during the contested case hearing. (2) If the hearing officer issues an order permanently excluding a party, limited party, or legal counsel from further participation in a contested case proceeding, the hearing officer shall issue the order in writing and shall state in the order the grounds for the order. The order is final unless the person subject to the order submits an appeal to the Energy Facility Siting Council within seven calendar days of service of the order.