77-524. Evidence; official notice. (a) A presiding officer need not be bound by technical rules of evidence, but shall give the parties reasonable opportunity to be heard and to present evidence, and the presiding officer shall act reasonably without partiality. The presiding officer shall give effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law. Evidence need not be excluded solely because it is hearsay.

(b) All testimony of parties and witnesses shall be made under oath or affirmation and the presiding officer shall have the power to administer an oath or affirmation for that purpose.

(c) Statements presented by nonparties in accordance with paragraph (c) of K.S.A. 77-523 may be received as evidence.

(d) Any part of the evidence may be received in written form if doing so will expedite the hearing without substantial prejudice to the interests of any party.

(e) Documentary evidence may be received in the form of a copy or excerpt. Upon request, parties shall be given an opportunity to compare the copy with the original if available.

(f) Official notice may be taken of (1) any matter that could be judicially noticed in the courts of this state, (2) the record of other proceedings before the state agency, (3) technical or scientific matters within the state agency's specialized knowledge, and (4) codes of standards that have been adopted by an agency of the United States, of this state or of another state or by a nationally recognized organization or association. Parties shall be notified before or during the hearing, or before the issuance of any initial or final order that is based in whole or in part on matters or material noticed, of the specific matters or material noticed and the source thereof, including any staff memoranda and data, and be afforded an opportunity to contest and rebut the matters or material so noticed.

History: L. 1984, ch. 313, § 24; July 1, 1985.