Section 230-RICR-20-60-3.11 - Pre-Hearing ConferenceA. The purpose of the pre-hearing conference is to provide an opportunity for the consideration of facts, arguments, and other issues as well as consideration of the means by which the hearing procedure may be facilitated and the disposition of the proceedings expedited.B. At the prehearing conference the Director or Hearing Officer shall set a date by which the parties (other than the Filer) shall deliver to the Filer, the Hearing Officer and all Intervenors their written comments on the filing, stating areas of disagreement, if any, their proposed alternatives, if any, and their own recommendation as to the extent of Rate level adjustment on which each would be prepared to agree.C. Reasonable means to be considered by the parties in order to expedite the orderly conduct and disposition of the hearing include the following: 1. The simplification or clarification of the issues;2. The exchange and acceptance of service of exhibits proposed to be offered in evidence;3. The obtaining of stipulations as to undisputed facts and documents;4. To the extent practicable, the settling of all procedural matters prior to hearing.D. The public hearing shall be held with the goal of delivering a Decision to the Filer within one hundred twenty days (120) of the filing. Any informational requests shall be answered thirty (30) days prior to the hearing or such other period as may be ordered by the Director or Hearing Officer.E. All parties shall attend the prehearing conference fully prepared to discuss all issues involved in the proceeding. Any Party may request other parties and the Department to be accompanied by their consultants.F. At the conclusion of the pre-hearing conference, a pre-hearing order shall be prepared to document the discussion. The pre-hearing order will become part of the Department's record of the filing pursuant to the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 42-35-9. The pre-hearing order shall be in writing.G. Failure of a Party to attend the conference after being served with due notice thereof shall constitute a waiver of all objections to any order, ruling or settlement which results from the conference.H. If the parties and the Department agree, no pre-hearing conference shall be held and the final hearing shall commence within thirty (30) days of receipt of the reports called for in § 3.11(B) of this Part above.230 R.I. Code R. 230-RICR-20-60-3.11