1997 Minnesota Statutes

     216A.037 Rules; ex parte communications; code of conduct.

    Subdivision 1.    Ex parte communications.  The 
 commission shall adopt rules under chapter 14 prescribing 
 permissible and impermissible ex parte communications.  

    The ex parte rules may prohibit only ex parte 
 communications by commission members with a party relating to: 

    (1) a material issue during a pending contested case 
 proceeding; 

    (2) a material issue in a rulemaking proceeding after the 
 beginning of commission deliberations; 

    (3) a material issue in a disputed formal petition; and 

    (4) any other communication impermissible by law.  

    A contested case is pending from the time the commission 
 refers the matter to the office of administrative hearings until 
 the commission has issued its final order, and the time to 
 petition for reconsideration has expired or the commission has 
 issued an order finally disposing an application for 
 reconsideration, whichever is later. 

    Subd. 2.    Communications prohibited.  A commissioner 
 shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, with a person or 
 entity who is a party to a pending proceeding before the 
 commission regarding past or future benefits or compensation to 
 be received from that person or entity.  The commission may 
 dismiss a proceeding if an applicant, petitioner, or complainant 
 violates this subdivision. 

    Subd. 3.    Code of conduct.  Except as limited by 
 subdivision 1, the commission shall adopt rules prescribing a 
 code of conduct for commissioners and employees of the 
 commission.  The code of conduct must include standards to 
 preserve the quasi-judicial function of the commission. 

    HIST: 1986 c 409 s 5; 1996 c 305 art 2 s 37