Unless all parties agree to the contrary in writing, informal proceedings do not substitute for formal proceedings and do not exhaust administrative remedies, and informal proceedings are conducted without prejudice to the parties' right to present the matter formally to the Commission. The Commission Staff will consider and investigate informal inquiries or complaints without prejudice to the interested persons right to present the matter formally to the Commission, unless all affected persons agree in writing to be bound by the informal decision. Settlement offers made during informal proceedings are confidential and shall be excluded from the agency record of any later formal proceedings. The Commission prefers informal procedure for informal inquiries or complaints. But, the Commission may formally consider any informal inquiry or complaint presented to it or to the Staff.
Idaho Admin. Code r. 31.01.01.024