Sec.31-237g-56. Responsibility of party to present testimony and evidence

(a) Subject to the Board’s right to determine the scope of the hearing and to control the admission of testimony and evidence, it is the responsibility of each party to present at the hearing before the Board all witnesses, testimony, evidence, and argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal. Testimony and evidence personally presented at the hearing by individuals with actual personal knowledge of the facts in question is preferred, provided the weight to be accorded such testimony and evidence shall be determined by the Board with consideration to the circumstances of each appeal. Any party, who, without good cause, fails to present at the hearing all testimony, evidence and oral argument material to such party’s contentions concerning the appeal may be deemed to have assented to the Board’s decision of the appeal solely on the basis of the credible testimony, evidence and oral argument presented at such hearing and the records already on file. The Board may refuse to provide, by reopening, remand or otherwise, a further hearing for purposes of presenting testimony, evidence or oral argument not presented at the Board’s hearing duly scheduled in any case wherein it is determined that, through the exercise of due diligence by the party involved, such testimony, evidence or argument could have been presented at such hearing and there was no good cause for such party’s failure to do so.

(b) Immediately upon receipt of the written notice of a hearing, it shall be the responsibility of each party to:

(1) pursuant to the provisions of Section 31-237g-10(a) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies, mail or fax directly to the Board’s office, all proposed documentary evidence or written materials which such party wishes to introduce during such hearing;

(2) pursuant to Section 31-237g-52(b) of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies notify the Board if it intends to appear in person;

(3) arrange to have all witnesses that such party intends to introduce at such hearing (A) available to participate by telephone or by other electronic means specified by the Board, or (B) present at the Board’s office, provided that the party notifies the Board, or (C) present at such location as the Board directs will be acceptable; and

(4) contact the Appeals Division office which issued the notice if such party is unable to satisfactorily arrange to have that party’s witnesses available to participate pursuant to subsection (3) of this section.

(Effective January 1, 1988; Amended October 27, 1997; Amended June 3, 2021)