Section 15-31-31 - Conduct of rulemaking hearings(a) Each hearing shall be presided over by the chairperson of the board or by its designated representative. The hearing shall be conducted in such a way as to afford to 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 to the orderly conduct of the hearing.(b) At the commencement of the hearing, the presiding officer shall read the pertinent portions of the notice of the 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 the presiding officer shall prescribe.(c) All interested persons shall be given reasonable opportunity to offer evidence with respect to the matters specified in the notice of hearing. Every witness may, before proceeding to testify, be sworn, and may be required thereafter to state the witness' name, address, and whom the witness represents at the hearing, and give any other information respecting the witness' appearance as the presiding officer may request. The presiding officer shall confine the evidence to the questions before the hearing but shall not apply the technical rules of evidence. Every witness shall be subject to questioning by the presiding officer or by any other representatives of the board, but cross-examination by private persons shall not be permitted except if the presiding officer expressly permits it.(d) All interested persons or agencies of the State or its political subdivisions shall be afforded an opportunity to submit data, views or arguments which are relevant to the issues. In addition, or in lieu thereof, persons or agencies may also file with the board within fifteen days following the close of public hearing a written protest or other comments or recommendations in support of or in opposition to the proposed rulemaking. Persons designated by the presiding officer shall be furnished with copies of any written protest or other comments or recommendations, and they shall be afforded a reasonable time within which to file their comments in reply to the original protest, comments, or recommendations. Written protest, comments, or recommendations or replies thereto shall not be accepted unless an original and ten copies (or lesser number of copies as Bay be specifically agreed to by the presiding officer) are filed. The period for filing written protest, comments, or recommendations may be extended by the presiding officer for good cause.(e) Unless otherwise specifically ordered by the board or the presiding officer, testimony given at the hearing need 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 the required number of copies impracticable and reduces the number, eleven copies of the exhibits shall be submitted.(f) At the close of the final public hearing, the board shall announce the date when its decision shall be announced, or the board may, if it so desires, Bake the decision at the public hearing. The board shall consider all relevant comments and material of record before taking final action in a rulemaking proceeding.(g) The board shall adopt the development rules as is or with Modifications and direct the chief executive officer to implement such development rules.[Eff MAR 20 1987] (Auth: HRS Sec. 206M-3) (Imp: HRS Sec. 206M-3)