C. Conduct of
Proceedings.
(1) All pleadings initiating
proceedings shall be dated upon receipt and shall be assigned a docket number
after filing, and all subsequent pleadings or correspondence shall refer to
that docket number. Pleadings will be captioned in accordance with
R.103-819, et seq., and shall be
processed pursuant to these rules.
(2) The Chief Clerk, after filing of the
pleadings, shall give the Commission notice of such filing at the next regular
meeting of the Commission. Where provided by law, any proceeding initiated
under these rules may be disposed of without hearing by Order of the Commission
within 14 days after the pleading has been accepted for filing, upon the
written opinion of the Commission that the pleading on its face shows that a
hearing is not necessary, in the public interest, or for the protection of
substantial rights.
(3) After any
pleading has been accepted for filing, the Chief Clerk may:
(a) Serve the pleadings, as required, in
accordance with R.103-830, or within fourteen (14)
days, provide the party filing the pleading a Notice of Filing, and, where
required by law, the party at its own expense shall publish such notice one
time in newspapers having general circulation in the State, or, if applicable,
in newspapers having general circulation in the party's service area. Except
for good cause shown, proof of publication must be filed on or before the
return date. The Chief Clerk, pursuant to other rules of the Commission, may
require that the Notice of Filing be mailed to customers and other persons and
a certificate of service be filed on or before the return date.
(b) Fix a date for hearing, as soon as
practicable, and when a date is available on the docket calendar. If the
hearing date has not been included in the Notice of Filing, the Chief Clerk
shall prepare a Notice of Hearing, and shall forward such Notice of Hearing to
all parties. Proof of service must be placed in the formal record.
(c) Assign a time and place for any public
hearing necessary in the conduct of any proceeding. The Chief Clerk shall
likewise cause the pleadings to be served pursuant to these rules or issue
written notice of the filing of pleadings, which shall be published pursuant to
law and notice of the hearing date assigned for the conduct of any formal
proceeding, as provided by law.
(d)
The Chief Clerk shall forward a copy of a Notice of Filing, a Prefile Testimony
Letter, or a Transmittal Letter to all parties by electronic service or by U.S.
Mail. The Chief Clerk shall forward a Notice of Filing and Hearing, a Notice of
Hearing, or any other document containing a hearing date to all parties by
electronic service or by certified mail.
(e) Require from a person filing a pleading a
letter incorporating a statement presenting the number of witnesses the person
expects to offer in the proceeding and an estimate of the time required for the
presentation of testimony and exhibits.
(4) Public hearings in the conduct of
proceedings shall be held pursuant to R.103-836, et seq.