Sec.17-311-33. General provisions

(a) Purpose of hearing. The purpose of any hearing the commissioner conducts under Chapter 54 G.S. shall be to provide to all parties an opportunity to present evidence and argument on all issues to be considered by the commissioner.

(b) Order of presentation. In hearings on requests, applications, and petitions, the party that shall open and close the presentation of any part of the matter shall be the person making the request, the applicant, or the petitioner.

(c) Limiting number of witnesses. To avoid unnecessary cumulative evidence, the commissioner may limit the number of witnesses or the time for testimony upon a particular issue in the course of any hearing.

(d) The commissioner may permit any party to offer testimony in written form. Such written testimony shall be received in evidence with the same force and effect as though it were stated orally by the witness who has given evidence, provided that each such witness shall be present at the hearing at which testimony is offered, shall adopt the written testimony under oath, and shall be made available for cross-examination as directed by the commissioner. Prior to its admission, such written testimony shall be subject to objections by parties.

(Effective March 17, 1983)