1. (1) In any show cause proceeding, designated staff members, represented by the General Counsel or other counsel employed by the Commission, shall participate as a party.
2. (2) In any contested case commenced by the Commission, designated staff members, represented by the General Counsel or other counsel employed by the Commission, may participate as a party.
3. (3) In any other contested case proceeding, designated staff members, represented by the General Counsel or other counsel employed by the Commission, may participate as a party.
4. (4) Staff members who participate as a party shall be bound to comply with the requirements as any other party.
5. (5) As soon as practicable after any proceeding in which the staff will participate as a party, the General Counsel shall identify those staff members to all interested parties and staff to prevent ex parte communications.

Authority: T.C.A. §§ 4-5-303, 4-5-304, 65-2-102, 65-2-106, and 65-2-107. Administrative History: Original rule filed June 30, 2000; effective September 13, 2000. Editorial changes made by the Secretary of State pursuant to Public Chapter 826 of 2002 by replacing “Executive Secretary” with “Chair of the Authority”; effective March 28, 2003. Administrative changes made to this chapter on April 27, 2018 pursuant to Public Chapter 94 of 2017; “Tennessee Regulatory Authority” references were changed to “Tennessee Public Utility Commission,” “Authority” references were changed to “Commission,” “Authority Director” references were changed to “Commissioner,” and “Chief” references were changed to “Director.” Amendments filed August 11, 2025; effective November 9, 2025.