(1) Oral argument must be sought by separate written request filed concurrently with the motion on which argument is requested, or no later than 10 days after exceptions to a recommended order are filed. Failure to timely file a request for oral argument shall constitute waiver thereof. Failure to timely file a response to the request for oral argument waives the opportunity to object to oral argument. The request for oral argument shall state with particularity why oral argument would aid the Commissioners, the Prehearing Officer, or the Commissioner appointed by the Chair to conduct a hearing in understanding and evaluating the issues to be decided, and the amount of time requested for oral argument.
    (2) The Commission may request oral argument on matters over which it presides. The Prehearing Officer may request oral argument on matters over which he or she presides. The parties will be notified directly when oral argument is scheduled.
    (3) Granting or denying a request for oral argument is within the sole discretion of the Commission or the Prehearing Officer whichever presides over the matter to be argued.
    (4) The staff attorney assigned to the docket may participate in any oral argument on that docket.
    (5) Oral argument will not be entertained on a post-hearing recommendation on the merits of the case. However, when the Commission votes on a recommended order requests for oral argument will be entertained.
    (6) Oral argument will not be entertained on a request for oral argument.
    (7) Oral argument at an agenda conference.
    (a) Oral argument at an agenda conference will only be entertained for recommended orders and dispositive motions, such as motions to dismiss, motions for summary final order, and motions for reconsideration of non-final or final orders. Only parties to the docket and the staff attorney may participate in the oral argument.
    (b) The Commission can request oral argument on any issue to be decided by a dispositive motion or recommended order. The listing of the dispositive motion or recommended order on the notice of the agenda conference shall serve as notice to the parties to be prepared for oral argument on all issues associated with the dispositive motion or recommended order on the agenda, even if a request for oral argument has not been made by a party, or if a request made by a party pertains to a limited number of issues. Notice of the agenda conference can be found at www.psc.state.fl.us/agendas, as explained in subsection 25-22.0021(1), F.A.C.
    (c) If a request for oral argument filed by a party is scheduled to be taken up at an agenda conference, and the request is granted at that time, the oral argument will occur at that agenda conference. At the agenda conference where the request is taken up, parties should be prepared to proceed with oral argument on all issues pertaining to the dispositive motion or recommended order, whether raised in the request for oral argument or not. Notice that such a request will be taken up is provided at www.psc.state.fl.us/agendas, as explained in subsection 25-22.0021(1), F.A.C.
    (d) This rule does not restrict the scheduling of oral arguments to agenda conferences. Oral arguments can be scheduled at any time, in which case the parties will be directly notified of the time and place.
Rulemaking Authority Florida Statutes § 350.01(7), 350.127(2) FS. Law Implemented 120.569(1), 120.57(1), (2)(a) FS. History-New 1-1-07.