Section 10-5-23 - Hearing conduct(a) The chairman or the chairman's designee shall preside over the public hearing. The hearing shall be conducted to allow interested persons a reasonable opportunity to be heard on matters relevant to the issues involved and to obtain a clear and orderly record. The presiding officer shall have authority to administer oaths or affirmations and to take all other actions necessary for the orderly conduct of the hearing.(b) At the commencement of the hearing, the presiding officer shall read the notice of hearing and shall then outline briefly the procedure to be followed. Evidence shall then be received with respect to the matters specified in the notice of hearing in the order prescribed by the presiding officer. Persons testifying shall be limited to fifteen minutes. Whenever time permits, the presiding officer may allow additional time upon request. After all persons who have requested to appear before the commission hearing have testified, any person whose request for additional time has been granted may present additional relevant testimony,(c) Submission of evidence shall include the following:(1) Before giving testimony, every witness shall state his or her name, address, and any representative capacities in which the witness serves and shall give other information respecting appearance as the presiding officer may request. The presiding officer shall confine the evidence presented to the questions before the hearing and may receive evidence whether or not the evidence would be admissible in a court of law; and(2) Every witness shall be subject to questioning by the presiding officer or members of the commission present, but cross-examination by private persons shall not be permitted unless expressly permitted by the presiding officer.(d) All interested persons or agencies shall be afforded an opportunity to submit data, views or arguments which, in the opinion of the presiding officer, are relevant to the matters specified in the notice of the hearing. In addition, or alternatively, persons or agencies may file with the commission signed, written protests, comments, or recommendations in support of or in opposition to the proposed rulemaking. The period for filing written protest, comments, or recommendations may be extended beyond the hearing date by the presiding officer for good cause.(e) Unless otherwise specifically ordered by the commission or the presiding officer, testimony given at the public hearing shall not be reported verbatim. All supporting written statements, maps, charts, tabulations, or similar data offered in evidence at the hearing, and which are deemed by the presiding officer to be authentic and relevant, shall be, received in evidence and made a part of the record. Unless the presiding officer finds that the furnishing of copies is impracticable, ten copies of the exhibits shall be submitted. [Eff 7/30/81; am and comp 10/26/98] (Auth: HRS § 91-2) (Imp: HRS § 91-3)