Mississippi Administrative Code
Title 27 - Personnel
Part 210 - PERS, Regulations for Retirement Plans Administered by the Board of Trustees
Chapter 42 - Rules of Hearing Practice and Procedure before the Board of Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System of Mississippi
Section 27-210-42-111 - Evidence

1. The hearing shall be informal and formal rules of evidence shall not apply. In conducting a hearing, the Committee shall not be bound by the formal rules of evidence and no informality in any proceedings or in the manner of taking of testimony shall invalidate any order or decision of the Board.

2. All testimony to be considered by the Committee, except matters noticed officially or entered by stipulation shall be sworn testimony. Before giving testimony, each person shall swear or affirm that the testimony about to be given before the Committee shall be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

3. The Presiding Officer will accept evidence and rule as to the admissibility of evidence that has not been submitted prior to the decision which is the subject of the appeal. All relevant evidence is admissible, but the Presiding Officer may exclude evidence if its probative value is outweighed by the danger of unfair prejudice, by confusion of the issues, or by considerations or undue delay, or needless presentation of cumulative evidence. The Presiding officer shall exercise reasonable control over the manner and order of cross-examining witnesses and presenting evidence.

4. Documents received into evidence by the Presiding Officer shall be marked and filed as a part of the record.

5. A copy of the composite exhibit to be introduced on behalf of PERS will be made available to the appealing party prior to the hearing. PERS may charge a fee for providing such copy in accordance with any applicable fee schedule adopted by the Board.

6. Summations of the evidence and the law may be heard in the discretion of the Presiding Officer.