PURPOSE: This rule establishes specific requirements needed to set prehearing conferences.

1. (1) The hearing officer designated by the department may set a prehearing conference to facilitate the resolution of issues and to expedite the hearing.

2. (2) At a prehearing conference, the parties shall be prepared to discuss—

   1. (A) The simplification of issues;
   2. (B) The necessity or desirability of consolidating any issues, or to consolidate hearings, to avoid needless duplication and additional expense;
   3. (C) Admissibility of documents and other evidentiary matters;
   4. (D) Limitation on the number of witnesses; and
   5. (E) Other matters necessary or desirable to an expeditious disposition of the hearing.
3. (3) The parties may enter into stipulations as to some or all of the facts either as a result of a prehearing conference or otherwise. All stipulations shall be reduced to writing and shall be signed by the parties or their attorneys of record. Stipulations shall be binding upon the parties and shall foreclose further evidence on the facts or issues so stipulated.

AUTHORITY: section 301.553, RSMo Supp. 1998.* Original rule filed Nov. 1, 1999, effective May 30, 2000.

*Original authority: 301.553, RSMo 1988, amended 1989, 1993, 1995, 1997.