After the issuance of a decision by the Department pursuant to O.C.G.A. § 31-6-43, no party to an appeal hearing, nor any person on behalf of such party, shall make any ex parte contact with the hearing officer appointed to conduct the appeal hearing or the Commissioner, or his or her designee, in regard to a project under appeal. This prohibition shall not be considered to prohibit Department staff from rendering technical and administrative assistance to the Appeal Panel or the Commissioner, if requested to do so.
Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 274-1-.18
O.C.G.A. Secs. 31-5A, 31-6, 31-6-44.