1. A. No party, representative of a party, or other person shall communicate off the record about the merits of a case with the department or the hearing officer unless the communication is in writing and a copy is provided to all parties to the proceedings.
2. B. The department's employees and the hearing officer shall not communicate off the record about the merits of a case with any party, representative of a party, or other person unless the communication is in writing and a copy is sent to all parties to the proceedings.

[8.11.5.29 NMAC - N, 10/30/08]