350-016-0008 Notice to Party Before Hearing of Rights and Procedure; Legislative Findings; Failure to Provide Notice (1) Citizens have a right to be informed as to the procedures by which contested cases are heard by the commission, their rights in hearings before the commission, the import and effect of hearings before the commission and their rights and remedies with respect to actions taken by the commission. Accordingly, it is the purpose of subsections (2) to (4) of this section to set forth certain requirements of the commission so that citizens shall be fully informed as to these matters when exercising their rights before the commission. (2) Prior to the commencement of a contested case hearing before the commission, the commission shall inform each party to the hearing of the following matters: (a) If a party is not represented by an attorney, a general description of the hearing procedure including the order of presentation of evidence, what kinds of evidence are admissible, whether objections may be made to the introduction of evidence and what kind of objections may be made and an explanation of the burdens of proof or burdens of going forward with the evidence. (b) The manner of making the record and its availability to the parties. (c) The function of the record-making with respect to the perpetuation of the testimony and evidence and with respect to any appeal from the determination or order of the commission. (d) Whether an attorney will represent the commission in the matters to be heard and whether the parties ordinarily and customarily are represented by an attorney. (e) The title and function of the person presiding at the hearing with respect to the decision process, including, but not limited to, the manner in which the testimony and evidence taken by the person presiding at the hearing are reviewed, the effect of that person’s determination, whether the person presiding at the hearing is or is not an employee, officer or other representative of the commission and whether that person has the authority to make a final independent determination. (f) In the event a party is not represented by an attorney, whether the party may during the course of proceedings request a recess if at that point the party determines that representation by an attorney is necessary to the protection of the party’s rights. (g) Whether there exists an opportunity for an adjournment at the end of the hearing if the party then determines that additional evidence should be brought to the attention of the commission and the hearing reopened. (h) Whether there exists an opportunity after the hearing and prior to the final determination or order of the commission to review and object to any proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, summary of evidence or recommendations of conclusions of law, summary of evidence or recommendations of the officer presiding at the hearing. (i) A description of the appeal process from the determination or order of the commission. (3) The information required to be given to a party to a hearing under subsections (2) and (3) of this section may be given in writing or orally before commencement of the hearing. (4) The failure of the commission to give notice of any item specified in subsections (2) and (3) of this section, shall not invalidate any determination or order of the commission unless upon an appeal from or review of the determination or order a court finds that the failure affects the substantial rights of the complaining party. In the event of such a finding, the court shall remand the matter to the commission for a reopening of the hearing and shall direct the commission as to what steps it shall take to remedy the prejudice to the rights of the complaining party. Statutory/Other Authority: ORS 196.150 Statutes/Other Implemented: ORS 196.150, RCW 43.97.015 & 16 U.S.C. § 544 et seq. History: CRGC 2-1990, f. & cert. ef. 5-21-90 CRGC 1-1990, f. & cert. ef. 1-16-90 CRGC 3-1989(Temp), f. 10-4-89, cert. ef. 10-4-89 CRGC 1-1989, f. 3-2-89, cert. ef. 3-7-89 Reverted to CRGC 2-1987, f. 12-7-87, ef. 12-8-87 CRGC 3-1988(Temp), f. 11-17-88, cert. ef. 11-17-88 thru 2-13-89 CRGC 2-1987, f. 12-7-87, ef. 12-8-87 CRGC 1-1987(Temp), f. & ef. 9-10-87