Section 23-4-10 - Ex parte communications(a) In any proceedings before the department no party or representative of a party shall communicate with the hearing officer concerning the merits of the case.(b) It shall be improper for any person interested in a proceeding to seek to influence the judgment of any member of the department or hearing officer designated.(c) It shall be improper for a member of the department to:(1) Disclose or reveal to any other member of the department or hearing officer designated, the contents of any investigatory, department prepared report concerning the matter the department member or hearing officer is designated to hear and decide; or(2) Furnish the report or copy thereof to any department member or hearing officer designated, except where authorized by law.[Eff APR 15 2000] (Auth: HRS § 353C-2) (Imp: HRS § 91-13)