Minnesota Administrative Rules

1350.6100 PRESENTATION OF VIEWS MEETINGS.

Subpart 1.

Conduct of meeting.

A presentation of views meeting may be written or oral and may include an opportunity for an oral presentation, whether requested or not, whenever the commissioner concludes that an oral presentation would be in the public interest and states this in the notice. A presiding officer shall preside over all oral presentations. The purpose of these presentations shall be to gather information to allow fully informed decision making. Presentations of views meetings shall not be adversary proceedings. Oral presentations shall be conducted in an informal but orderly manner. The presiding officer shall have the duty and authority to conduct a fair proceeding, to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. In the absence of extraordinary circumstances, the presiding officer at an oral presentation of views meeting shall not require that testimony be given under oath or affirmation and shall not permit either cross-examination of witnesses by other witnesses or their representatives, or the presentation of rebuttal testimony by persons who have already testified. The rules of evidence prevailing in courts of law or equity shall not control the conduct of oral presentation of views meeting.

Subp. 2.

Commission's determination.

Within ten days after a presentation of views meeting, the presiding officer shall refer to the commissioner all documentary evidence submitted, any transcript that has been made, a summary of the issues involved, information presented in the presentation of views meeting, and the presiding official's recommendations with the rationale for them. The presiding officer shall make any appropriate statements concerning the apparent veracity of witnesses or the validity of factual assertions which may be within the competence of the presiding officer. The commissioner shall issue a final determination concerning the matters at issue within 30 days of receipt of the presiding officer's summary. The final determination shall include a statement of findings, with specific references to principal supporting items of evidence in the record and conclusions, as well as the reasons or bases for them upon all of the material issues of fact, law, or discretion as presented on the record; and an appropriate order. Notice of the final determination shall be given in writing and transmitted by certified mail, return receipt requested, to all participants in the presentation of views meeting. The final determination shall be conclusive with respect to persons whose interests were represented.

Statutory Authority:

MS s 327.33

Published Electronically:

January 4, 2010