Ariz. Admin. Code § R7-2-1185 - Qualifications for Hearing Officers

A. A "hearing officer" means a person assigned to preside at a hearing held pursuant to Articles 10 and 11 and whose duty it is to assure that proper procedures are followed and that the rights of the parties are protected.

B. A hearing officer shall be:

1. Unbiased - not prejudiced for or against any party in the hearing;

2. Disinterested - not having any personal or professional interest which would conflict with his/her objectivity in the hearing; and

3. Independent - may not be an officer, employee or agent of the contractor or governing board, or of any other public agency involved in the dispute to be settled. A person who otherwise qualifies to conduct a hearing is not an employee of the contractor or governing board solely because he or she is paid by the parties to serve as a hearing officer.

C. A hearing officer shall have:

1. A minimum of three years of verified experience in the practice of law; or

2. A minimum of three years of verified experience in school procurement or school facilities management and a minimum of one year of verified experience in conducting hearings. Completion of a course or program in conducting a hearing or arbitration may substitute for the one year of verified experience in conducting hearings.

Notes

Ariz. Admin. Code § R7-2-1185

New Section adopted by final rulemaking at 6 A.A.R. 3750, effective September 8, 2000 (Supp. 00-4). Amended by exempt rulemaking at 33 A.A.R. 1527, effective 7/1/2014.