Any evidence shall be deemed admissible in a hearing that would be admissible in civil proceedings under the laws of the State of Nebraska. In addition, the hearing officer may, within his or her discretion, admit evidence possessing probative value in any form commonly accepted by reasonably prudent men in the conduct of their affairs.
Records and documents in the possession of the Department may be received in evidence in the form in which the same are kept, and without certification. The records and documents shall be afforded in evidence and made a part of the record in the case.
Each party shall have a right of cross-examination of all witnesses who testify.
In the conduct of a hearing, the hearing officer may take official notice of such facts as would be so noticed by the District Courts of Nebraska, and may take notice of general technical or scientific facts within the specialized knowledge of the Department and Rules and Regulations promulgated by agencies of the State of Nebraska.
Hearings shall be conducted informally unless a party makes a written request that the rules of evidence be applied in the conduct of the hearing. The written request for the application of the rules of evidence shall comply with Neb. Rev. Stat. § 84-914 and shall be received by the Department at least three (3) days before the holding of the hearing. In its request the party requesting the rules of evidence shall agree to be liable for payment of the costs incurred thereby, including the cost of a court reporting service which the requesting party shall procure for the hearing.
250 Neb. Admin. Code, ch. 3, § 016