A reasonable opportunity for a fair hearing shall be promptly afforded all interested parties. An appeal tribunal shall inquire into and develop all facts bearing on the issues and shall receive and consider evidence without regard to statutory and common law rules. The board of review shall adopt regulations governing the manner of filing appeals and the conduct of hearings and appeals, consistent with the provisions of chapters 42 - 44 of this title. A record shall be kept of all testimony and proceedings in an appeal, but testimony need not be transcribed unless further review is initiated.
R.I. Gen. Laws § 28-44-44