Sec.3-77-14. Conduct of adjudicative hearings in contested cases

(a) Hearings in contested cases shall be public and shall be presided over by the Secretary of the State or his designated presiding officer.

(b) Said Secretary of the State or presiding officer shall have the power to:

(1) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of the parties and their counsel therein;

(2) Ensure that all testimony is given under oath;

(3) Rule upon offers of proof and to receive evidence;

(4) Consider and rule upon all motions; and

(5) Require any additional written and/or oral argument.

(c) Each party in an adjudicative hearing shall have the right to present evidence, cross examine witnesses, enter motions and objections, and assert all other rights essential to a fair hearing.

(d) Intervention by interested persons as a party shall be permitted in any contested case as provided by applicable statute, or may otherwise be permitted within the discretion of the Secretary of the State or presiding officer.

(e) All adjudicative hearings in contested cases shall be recorded and shall be conducted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54 of the General Statutes.

(Effective September 26, 1988)