A hearing officer is a person other than the agency head appointed to hear contested cases on behalf of the agency. Unless otherwise provided by statute or rule, hearing officers may be employees of the agency or independent contractors. Hearing officers may be (but need not be) attorneys. Hearing officers who are not attorneys should ordinarily be persons with technical expertise or experience in issues before the agency. The appointment of a hearing officer is a public record available for inspection, examination and copying. (3-31-22)
Idaho Admin. Code r. 20.01.01.410