(a) Presentation by parties. After the resolution of
all prehearing matters, each party shall make its presentation during
the formal hearing. Commission staff shall make the first opening
statement. The respondent or respondent's authorized representative
shall then make an opening statement, should the respondent wish to
do so at that time. The respondent may reserve the opening statement
until the presentation of the respondent's case.
(b) Following opening statements, commission staff
may present evidence in its case. At the conclusion of the presentation
of the evidence, commission staff may rest. The respondent or the
respondent's authorized representative may then make an opening statement,
or, if an opening statement has already been made, present evidence
in its defense of the allegations raised in the notice of formal hearing.
At the conclusion of the presentation of evidence by the respondent,
the respondent may rest.
(c) After both parties have rested their case, commission
staff shall make a closing argument. The respondent may then make
a closing argument. Commission staff may then make a reply.
(d) Unless otherwise ordered by the presiding officer,
after closing arguments, evidence will be closed and the case will
be turned over to the members of the commission for deliberation and
decision.
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