N.M. Admin. Code § 1.2.2.32 - PUBLIC HEARINGS

A. Rights of staff, parties, and commenters:

(1) At any public hearing all parties and staff shall be entitled to enter an appearance, introduce evidence, examine and cross-examine witnesses, make arguments, and generally participate in the conduct of the proceeding.

(2) Commenters shall be entitled to make an oral or written statement for the record but such statement shall not be considered by the commission as evidence. Commenters are not parties and shall not have the right to introduce evidence or examine or cross-examine witnesses, to receive copies of pleadings and documents, to appeal from any decisions or orders, or to otherwise participate in the proceeding other than by making their comments.

B. Duty to participate: Except as otherwise provided in this rule or directed by the commission or presiding officer, parties or staff who fail to attend meetings, conferences, or public hearings scheduled or who otherwise fail to participate in the proceeding are deemed to have notice of, and waive their right to object to, all matters addressed, resolved, or determined in their absence.

C. Continuance:

(1) Staff or any party who desires a continuance shall move for a continuance immediately upon receipt of notice of public hearing or as soon thereafter as facts requiring such continuance come to their knowledge, stating in detail the reasons why a continuance is necessary and describing when the need for a continuance came to their knowledge.

(2) The commission or presiding officer, in passing upon a motion for a continuance, shall consider whether such motion was promptly made.

(3) The commission or presiding officer may grant such a continuance and may at any time order a continuance upon their own motion.

D. Appearances:

(1) General: Staff, parties, and commenters shall enter their appearances at the beginning of the public hearing by giving their names and addresses in writing to the reporter who will include the same in the record of public hearing. The presiding officer conducting the public hearing may in addition require appearances to be stated orally so that the identity and interest of all parties, staff, and others present will be known to those at the public hearing.

(2) Termination of party status: Notwithstanding any other provision of this rule pertaining to party status, the party status of any person failing to enter a written appearance, and if requested by the presiding officer, an oral appearance terminates at the close of the period for taking such appearances at the public hearing unless otherwise ordered by the commission or presiding officer. After entering an appearance neither staff nor a party shall be unrepresented at the public hearing unless excused by the presiding officer. The commission or presiding officer may impose appropriate sanctions for violation of this provision up to and including termination of party status.

E. Service of notice: Following the entry of appearances at the public hearing, all notices, pleadings, and orders thereafter served shall be served upon such attorneys or parties of record as defined in this rule entering an appearance, and such service shall be considered valid service for all purposes upon the party represented. Persons who have not appeared as parties may request to the commission to be mailed a copy of any final order at their own expense in any proceeding contemplated by this rule at which these persons have appeared as witnesses or commenters or have given written notification to the commission of their interest in the proceedings.

F. Failure to appear:

(1) At the time and place set for public hearing, if an applicant, petitioner, or complainant fails to appear without having obtained a continuance in the manner specified in Subsection C of 1.2.2.32 NMAC, the commission or presiding officer may dismiss or recommend dismissal of the petition, application, or complaint with or without prejudice or may upon good cause shown recess such public hearing for a further period to be set by the commission or presiding officer to enable said applicant, petitioner, or complainant to attend.

(2) At the time and place set for public hearing, if a respondent fails to appear without having obtained a continuance in the manner specified Subsection C of 1.2.2.32 NMAC, the commission or presiding officer may proceed with the public hearing as scheduled and enter such orders disposing of the case as may be proper according to the evidence adduced, and the respondent failing to appear will be presumed to have waived the right to refute or rebut such evidence and otherwise present further evidence. The commission or presiding officer may upon good cause shown recess such public hearing for a further period to be set by the commission or presiding officer to enable said respondent to attend.

G. Conduct at public hearings:

(1) All parties, staff, counsel, commenters, and spectators shall conduct themselves in a respectful manner. Demonstrations of any kind at public hearings shall not be permitted. Any disregard by parties, staff, attorneys, or other persons of the rulings of the commission or presiding officer on matters of order and procedure may be noted on the record and treated as provided in Sections 59A-52-24, 62-10-9, 62-12-4, 63-7-23, 63-9-19, 63-9A-20, 63-9B-14, 65-2A-32, 65-2A-34, 63-9H-14 or 70-3-19 NMSA 1978, or as provided in the New Mexico rules of civil procedure for the district courts.

(2) The commission or presiding officer may at their discretion adjourn, recess, or continue any public hearing in case the conduct of witnesses, spectators, or other persons interferes with the proper and orderly holding of such public hearing and for any other cause or circumstance which may prevent the proper conduct of such public hearing.

(3) The commission or presiding officer may at their discretion limit the time for providing direct testimony or cross-examination at any public hearing if necessary to promote the proper and orderly management of such public hearing.

H. Consolidated public hearings: The commission, upon its own motion or upon motion of staff or a party, may order two or more proceedings involving a similar question of law or fact to be consolidated for public hearing where rights of staff, the parties, or the public interest will not be prejudiced by such procedure and where such consolidation will not confuse the issues.

I. Joint public hearings: To the extent authorized by law, the commission may participate jointly in any hearing with any federal, state, or other regulatory agency. In joint formal proceedings the participating agencies shall agree upon the rules of procedure to be followed. Any person entitled to appear in a representative capacity before either agency involved in the joint public hearing may appear in a joint public hearing.

J. Telephonic public hearings. Public hearings may be conducted by telephone or video conference at the discretion of the commission or presiding officer.

Notes

N.M. Admin. Code § 1.2.2.32

1.2.2.32 NMAC - Rp, 17 NMAC 1.2.34, 9-1-08