Section 67-5242 - PROCEDURE AT HEARING(1) In a contested case, all parties shall receive notice that shall include: (a) a statement of the time, place, and nature of the hearing;(b) a statement of the legal authority under which the hearing is to be held; and(c) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted or the issues involved.(2) The agency head, one (1) or more members of the agency head, or one (1) or more hearing officers may, in the discretion of the agency head, be the presiding officer at the hearing.(3) At the hearing, the presiding officer: (a) Shall regulate the course of the proceedings to assure that there is a full disclosure of all relevant facts and issues, including such cross-examination as may be necessary.(b) Shall afford all parties the opportunity to respond and present evidence and argument on all issues involved, except as restricted by a limited grant of intervention or by a prehearing order.(c) May give nonparties an opportunity to present oral or written statements. If the presiding officer proposes to consider a statement by a nonparty, the presiding officer shall give all parties an opportunity to challenge or rebut it and, on motion of any party, the presiding officer shall require the statement to be given under oath or affirmation.(d) Shall cause the hearing to be recorded at the agency's expense. Any party, at that party's expense, may have a transcript prepared or may cause additional recordings to be made during the hearing if the making of the additional recording does not cause distraction or disruption.(e) May conduct all or part of the hearing by telephone, television, or other electronic means, if each participant in the hearing has an opportunity to participate in the entire proceeding while it is taking place.(4) If a party fails to attend any stage of a contested case, the presiding officer may serve upon all parties notice of a proposed default order. The notice shall include a statement of the grounds for the proposed order. Within seven (7) days after service of the proposed order, the party against whom it was issued may file a written petition requesting the proposed order to be vacated. The petition shall state the grounds relied upon. The presiding officer shall either issue or vacate the default order promptly after the expiration of the time within which the party may file a petition. If the presiding officer issues a default order, the officer shall conduct any further proceedings necessary to complete the adjudication without the participation of the party in default and shall determine all issues in the adjudication, including those affecting the defaulting party.[(67-5242) 1965, ch. 273, sec. 9, p. 701; am. and redesignated 1992, ch. 263, sec. 26, p. 802.]