A prehearing or other conference shall be scheduled at the request of any party or intervenor, or sua sponte, if the presiding officer concludes that to do so would:

1. (a) Facilitate orderly and productive proceedings; or

2. (b) Likely encourage resolution of the case.

   Source. #13921, eff 5-20-24

   Rko 211.03. Public Nature of Conferences.

3. (a) Prehearing and other conferences shall be open to public observation, but not to public participation, unless the ombudsman concludes that opening the conference to public observation, in whole or in part, would likely be detrimental to the orderly, productive, and efficient resolution of the matter in accordance with operative law, including those provisions of RSA 91-A protecting the confidentiality of records.

4. (b) A participant in a prehearing or other conference who wishes the conference to be closed to public observation shall request that the conference be closed, in whole or in part, identifying the reasons for the request.

   Source. #13921, eff 5-20-24

   Rko 211.04. Matters Addressed at Conferences.

5. (a) A prehearing or other conference shall address one or more of the following:

   1. (1) Possibilities for the settlement of the dispute;
   2. (2) The nature of the office’s functions;
   3. (3) Simplification of the issues;
   4. (4) Stipulations or admissions as to issues of fact or proof;
   5. (5) The application of the burden of proof;
   6. (6) Limitations on the number of witnesses;
   7. (7) Standard hearing procedures and any alterations thereto;
   8. (8) Consolidation of examination of witnesses;
   9. (9) Adherence to orders issued or agreements made; or

   10. (10) Any other matters that would advance:

       1. a. The efficiency of, or aid in the disposition of, the proceedings; or
       2. b. The purposes of RSA 91-A.
6. (b) Following a prehearing or other conference the presiding officer shall issue a prehearing order addressing matters determined at the conference.

Source. #13921, eff 5-20-24