| (a) Except as provided in this chapter, and unless
required for the disposition of ex parte matters authorized by law,
neither the hearing officer nor a Commission member may communicate,
directly or indirectly, in connection with any issue of fact or law
with a party or representative of a party, except on notice and opportunity
for all parties to participate.
(b) The hearing officer or a Commission member may
communicate concerning the case with an Agency employee who has not
participated in the hearing, but may do so only for the purpose of
using the special skills or knowledge of the Agency and its staff
in evaluating the evidence.
(c) For purposes of this section, the Agency is considered
to be a party to the case.
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