Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-7.18

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024

Rule 199-7.18 - [Effective 1/15/2025] Settlements

Parties to a contested case may propose to settle all or some of the issues in the case. The commission or presiding officer will not approve settlements, whether contested or uncontested, unless the settlement is reasonable in light of the whole record, consistent with law, and in the public interest. Commission adoption of a settlement constitutes the final decision of the commission on issues addressed in the settlement.

(1)Proposal of settlements. Two or more parties may by written motion propose settlements for adoption by the commission or presiding officer. The motion will contain sufficient information to advise the commission or presiding officer and parties not expressly joining the proposal of its scope and of the grounds on which adoption is urged. Parties may propose a settlement for adoption by the commission or presiding officer at any time.

(2)Conference. After proposal of a settlement that is not supported by all parties, and prior to approval, the settling parties are to convene at least one conference with notice and opportunity to participate provided to all parties for the purpose of discussing the settlement proposal. Written notice of the date, time, and place is to be furnished at least seven days in advance to all parties to the proceeding. Only parties and their representatives are entitled to attend a settlement conference. A party that has been given notice and opportunity to participate in the conference and does not do so is deemed to have waived its right to contest a proposed settlement, unless good cause is shown for the failure to participate.

(3)Comment period. When a party to a proceeding does not join in a settlement proposed for adoption by the commission or presiding officer, the party may file comments contesting all or part of the settlement with the commission within 14 days of the filing of the motion proposing settlement unless otherwise ordered by the commission or the presiding officer. Unless otherwise ordered by the commission or presiding officer, parties may file reply comments within seven days of filing of the comments.

(4)Contents of comments. A party contesting a proposed settlement is to specify in its comments the portions of the settlement that it opposes, the legal basis of its opposition, and the factual issues that it contests. Any failure by a party to file comments may, at the commission's or presiding officer's discretion, constitute waiver by that party of all objections to the settlement.

(5)Contested settlements. If the proposed settlement is contested, in whole or in part, on any material issue of fact by any party, the commission or presiding officer may schedule a hearing on the contested issue(s). The commission or presiding officer may decline to schedule a hearing where the contested issue of fact is not material or where the contested issue is one of law.

(6)Unanimous proposed settlement. In proceedings where all parties join in the proposed settlement, parties may propose a settlement for adoption by the commission or presiding officer any time after docketing. Subrules 7.18(2) through 7.18(5) do not apply to a proposed settlement filed concurrently by all parties to the proceeding. 199-Chapter 26 applies to settlements in rate cases.

(7)Inadmissibility. Any discussion, admission, concession, or offer to settle, whether oral or written, made during any negotiation on a settlement is privileged to the extent provided by law, including but not limited to Iowa Rule of Evidence 5.408.

Iowa Admin. Code r. 199-7.18

Amended by IAB January 29, 2020/Volume XLII, Number 16, effective 3/4/2020

Editorial change: IAC Supplement 7/24/2024

Adopted by IAB December 11, 2024/Volume XLVII, Number 11, effective 1/15/2025