Rule ELPOC 10.2 - HEARING OFFICER OR PANEL(a)Assignment.(1)Hearing Officer. The chief hearing officer, as defined in ELC 2.5(f), ordinarily assigns a single hearing officer, from those eligible under rule 2.5, to hear a matter ordered to hearing.(2)Hearing Panel. On either party's motion, or when otherwise deemed advisable, the chief hearing officer may assign a hearing panel. In determining whether to assign a hearing panel, the chief hearing officer considers whether public interest in the proceeding or other considerations makes a panel advisable. When a panel is assigned, the chief hearing officer designates one member as panel chair. The chief hearing officer's ruling on assigning a hearing panel is not subject to interim review. The chief hearing officer makes an assignment to fill any hearing officer or panel member vacancy.(b)Disqualification and Removal.(1)Removal Without Cause. Either party may have an assigned hearing officer or hearing panel member removed, without establishing cause for the removal, by filing a written request with the chief hearing officer within ten days of service on the moving party of that officer or panel member's assignment. A party may only once request removal without cause in any proceeding.(2)Disqualification for Cause. Either party may seek to disqualify any assigned hearing officer or hearing panel member for good cause. A motion under this subsection must be filed promptly after the party knows, or in the exercise of due diligence should have known, of the basis for the disqualification.(3)Removal. The chief hearing officer decides all requests for removal and disqualification motions, except the Chair decides a request to remove or disqualify the chief hearing officer. The decision of the chief hearing officer or Chair on a request for removal or a motion to disqualify is not subject to interim review. Upon removal or disqualification of an assigned hearing officer or hearing panel member, the chief hearing officer assigns a replacement.Wash. Admi. And. Prac. R. ELPOC 10.2
Adopted effective 1/1/2009.