SECTION 150:1-11-9. Petition for intervention

(a)   The hearing examiner shall grant a petition for intervention if:

(1)   The petition is submitted in writing to the hearing officer, with copies mailed to all parties named in the hearing officer's notice of the hearing, at least three days before the hearing;

(2)   The petition states facts demonstrating that the petitioner's legal rights, duties, privileges, immunities, or other legal interests may be substantially affected by the proceeding or that the petitioner qualifies as a intervener under any provision of law; and

(3)   The hearing examiner determines that the interests of justice and the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings will not be impaired by allowing the intervention.

(b)   Provided, the hearing examiner may grant a petition for intervention at any time, upon determining that the intervention sought is in the interests of justice and will not impair the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings.

(c)   If a petitioner qualifies for intervention, the hearing examiner may impose conditions upon the intervener's participation in the proceedings, either at the time that intervention is granted or at any subsequent time. Conditions may include:

(1)   Limiting the intervener's participation to designated issues in which the intervener has a particular interest demonstrated by the petition;

(2)   Limiting the intervener's use of discovery, cross-examination, and other procedures so as to promote the orderly and prompt conduct of the proceedings; and

(3)   Requiring two (2) or more interveners to combine their presentations of evidence and argument, cross-examination, discovery, and other participation in the proceedings.

(d)   The hearing examiner, at least twenty-four (24) hours before the hearing, shall issue an order granting or denying each pending petition for intervention, specifying any conditions, and briefly stating the reasons for the order. The hearing examiner may modify the order at any time, stating the reasons for the modification. The hearing examiner shall promptly give notice of an order granting, denying, or modifying intervention to the petitioner for intervention and to all parties.