(1) Unless a prehearing order states otherwise, the provisions of this rule apply to evidence and written argument (legal briefs) filed and served in hearings (adjudicative proceedings). Parties or the executive director may request a prehearing conference if provisions of this rule need to be adjusted or if the provisions are not adhered to by the parties.

(2) The parties are encouraged to exchange copies of proposed exhibits, exhibit lists and witness lists prior to the deadline specified in subsection (3)(a) of this section. The parties are encouraged to exchange documents by email whenever possible. The parties are encouraged to confer and determine whether there are any objections to the evidence and whether any agreements or stipulations can be reached regarding proposed exhibits, witnesses, and legal and factual issues.

(3)(a) Unless the commission determines otherwise, when evidence is to be offered at the adjudicative proceeding or when briefs are to be submitted at the adjudicative proceeding, the party offering the evidence or brief shall file with the commission and serve on all parties a copy of proposed exhibits, exhibit lists, witness lists, and briefs with the commission via an email to the executive director or his or her designee by the date and time designated by the executive director or designee, which is typically by 1:00 p.m. Pacific Time at least eight days prior to the hearing. The email shall provide the name of the party submitting the documents, the total number of pages, the software used to prepare the document, and the name, address, telephone number and email address of the person sending the email message.

(b) In the event electronic submission is not readily available to a pro se respondent or the evidence is not suited to email transmission, other means of providing these materials to the commission may be approved by the chair or the executive director, or their designees if requested in advance of the date and time in (a) of this subsection.

(c) The parties shall confirm in advance with the executive director that any documents provided electronically are able to be accessed by software available at the agency. If they are not accessible, the executive director shall direct how the documents are to be submitted.

(d) The documents are considered filed when received during actual business hours at the commission office. If received after actual business hours, they will be deemed filed the next business day.

(4) Respondent's exhibits shall be numbered R-1, R-2, etc. PDC staff exhibits shall be numbered S-1, S-2, etc. Jointly submitted exhibits shall be numbered J-1, J-2, etc. If an exhibit is not jointly submitted but there is no objection to it by the responding party, the party offering the exhibit shall designate agreed-to exhibits on the party's exhibit list.

(5) Briefs shall contain the name of the respondent in the caption and the cause number. Briefs shall be no more than twenty-five pages, double-spaced, excluding attachments or exhibits.

(6) The parties shall inform the executive director of any special equipment necessary for the adjudicative proceeding at the time documents are filed with the commission.