1. A. The hearing officer may impose sanctions upon the parties as necessary to serve the cause of justice including, but not limited to the instances set forth below.

   (1) When a party fails to comply with an order, including an order for taking a deposition, the production of evidence within the party's control, a request for admission, and/or production of witnesses, the hearing officer may:

   (a) draw an inference in favor of the requesting party with regard to the information sought;

   (b) prohibit the party failing to comply with such order from introducing evidence concerning, or otherwise relying upon testimony relating to the information sought;

   (c) permit the requesting party to introduce secondary evidence concerning the information sought; or

   (d) strike any part of the pleadings or other submissions of the party failing to comply with such request.

   (2) The hearing officer may refuse to consider any motion or other action which is not filed in a timely fashion.

2. B. The hearing officer may issue an order to show cause why an appeal should not be dismissed for failure to prosecute, or rule either for the appellant or the appellee, so long as the merits of the case are not concerned. If the order is uncontested, the hearing officer may dismiss the appeal or rule for the appellant. If the order is contested and the hearing officer dismisses the appeal or rules for the appellant, such decision is appealable to the board within 14 calendar days of the order.
3. C. The board may prohibit a representative from appearing before the board or one of its hearing officers for a period of time set by the board for good cause shown.

[1.7.12.16 NMAC - Rp, 1 NMAC 7.12.16, 07/07/01; 1.7.12.16 NMAC - Rn, 1.7.12.15 NMAC & A, 7-15-05]