SECTION 300:35-21-4. Hearing officer

  The GRDA General Manager, or his designee, shall preside over all hearings as the hearing officer. The GRDA General Manager may appoint an individual who is not employed by GRDA to preside over any hearing as the hearing officer. The authority of the hearing officer shall commence upon his appointment and terminate upon the entry of a Final Order issued by the GRDA Board of Directors. The hearing officer shall have the duty to conduct a fair hearing, to take all reasonable action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. The hearing officer's authority shall include, but not be limited to:

(1)   Arrange and change the date, time and place of hearings and issue notices of hearings;

(2)   Hold conferences to settle, simplify or determine the issues in a hearing, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the hearing;

(3)   Require parties to state their position in writing with respect to the various issues in the hearing and to exchange such statements with all other parties;

(4)   Administer oaths and affirmations;

(5)   Regulate the course of hearings;

(6)   Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify;

(7)   Receive, rule on, admit, exclude or limit evidence.

(8)   Rule on pending motions and procedural items; and

(9)   Allow for continuances.

[Source: Added at 23 Ok Reg 1329, eff 5-25-06; Amended at 27 Ok Reg 1801, eff 6-25-10; Amended at 30 Ok Reg 1121, eff 6-27-13; Amended at 32 Ok Reg 1015, eff 8-27-15]