A. Except as otherwise provided in this section, while a formal hearing conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4020 is pending, the hearing officer shall not communicate with any person concerning the hearing without notice and opportunity for all parties to participate in the communication.
B. A hearing officer may communicate about a pending formal hearing conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4020 with any person if the communication is authorized by law or concerns an uncontested procedural issue. A hearing officer may communicate with any person on ministerial matters about a pending formal hearing conducted in accordance with § 2.2-4020 if the communication does not augment, diminish, or modify the evidence in the record.
C. If a hearing officer makes or receives a communication prohibited by this section, the hearing officer shall make a part of the hearing record: (i) a copy of the communication or, if it is not written, a memorandum containing the substance of the communication; (ii) the response thereto; and (iii) the identity of the person who made the communication.
D. If a communication prohibited by this section is made, the hearing officer shall notify all parties of the prohibited communication and permit the parties to respond not later than 15 days after the notice is given. For good cause, the hearing officer may permit additional evidence in response to the prohibited communication.
E. If necessary to eliminate any prejudicial effect of a communication made that is prohibited by this section, a hearing officer may (i) be disqualified under § 2.2-4024.1; (ii) seal the parts of the record pertaining to the communication by protective order; or (iii) grant other appropriate relief, including an adverse ruling on the merits of the case.
2016, c. 478.
Structure Code of Virginia
Title 2.2 - Administration of Government
Chapter 40 - Administrative Process Act
§ 2.2-4000. Short title; purpose
§ 2.2-4002. Exemptions from chapter generally
§ 2.2-4002.1. Guidance documents
§ 2.2-4006. Exemptions from requirements of this article
§ 2.2-4007. Petitions for new or amended regulations; opportunity for public comment
§ 2.2-4007.01. Notice of intended regulatory action; public hearing
§ 2.2-4007.02. Public participation guidelines
§ 2.2-4007.03. Informational proceedings; effect of noncompliance
§ 2.2-4007.04. Economic impact analysis
§ 2.2-4007.04:01. Notice required of certain departments
§ 2.2-4007.05. Submission of proposed regulations to the Registrar
§ 2.2-4007.06. Changes between proposed and final regulations
§ 2.2-4007.07. State Air Pollution Control Board; variances
§ 2.2-4007.1. Regulatory flexibility for small businesses; periodic review of regulations
§ 2.2-4007.2. Regulations requiring the submission of documents or payments
§ 2.2-4009. Evidentiary hearings on regulations
§ 2.2-4010. Pilot programs for regulations imposing local government mandates
§ 2.2-4011. Emergency regulations; publication; exceptions
§ 2.2-4012. Purpose; adoption; effective date; filing; duties of Registrar of Regulations
§ 2.2-4012.1. Fast-track rulemaking process
§ 2.2-4013. Executive review of proposed and final regulations; changes with substantial impact
§ 2.2-4014. Legislative review of proposed and final regulations
§ 2.2-4015. Effective date of regulation; exception
§ 2.2-4016. Withdrawal of regulation
§ 2.2-4017. Periodic review of regulations
§ 2.2-4018. Exemptions from operation of Article 3
§ 2.2-4019. Informal fact finding proceedings
§ 2.2-4020. Formal hearings; litigated issues
§ 2.2-4020.1. Summary case decisions
§ 2.2-4021. Timetable for decision; exemptions
§ 2.2-4022. Subpoenas, depositions and requests for admissions
§ 2.2-4024.1. Disqualification
§ 2.2-4024.2. Ex parte communications
§ 2.2-4025. Exemptions operation of this article; limitations
§ 2.2-4026. Right, forms, venue; date of adoption or readoption for purposes of appeal
§ 2.2-4028. Intermediate relief