Rhode Island Code of Regulations
Title 280 - Department of Revenue
Chapter 30 - Division of Motor Vehicles
Subchapter 20 - Dealer Licensing and Registration
Part 1 - Dealers, Manufacturers, and Rental Licenses
Section 280-RICR-30-20-1.20 - Conduct of Hearings

1. A complete record of the proceedings shall be recorded on audiotape, digital recorder or similar electronic device or, at the discretion of the Board, by stenographic record.

2. If a party chooses to appeal a decision to Superior Court pursuant to R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-1 et seq. or to appeal a decision as otherwise provided by law and the Superior Court (or another Court) requires a transcript of the hearing and there is only an electronic recording of the hearing, said Party shall be responsible for having the transcript prepared by an independent person or company at his, her or its expense.

1. Except as provided by law, all hearings are to be open to the public.

1. At the conclusion of the evidence, the Board may, in its discretion, permit the parties to argue orally and/or to submit written briefs. The Board may, within its discretion, direct that proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law be submitted by the parties. The record in the proceeding shall close after oral argument, the deadline for the filing of the briefs or upon such date as may be set by the Board. No evidence shall be admitted thereafter, unless otherwise ordered by the Board. The Board may in any case require either party, with appropriate notice to the other party, to submit additional evidence in any matter relevant to the hearing.

1. Unless otherwise precluded by law, disposition may be made of any case at any time by stipulation, consent agreement, consent settlement, consent order, default or dismissal by the Board.

1. The Board may enter into a consent agreement with a party(ies) prior to a hearing being held. Subsequent to a hearing being held, the parties may agree to the terms of a consent order; provided however, such a consent order must be approved by the Board to be valid. Both consent agreements and consent orders are considered public records pursuant to the Access to Public Records Act, R.I. Gen. Laws § 38-2-1 et seq.