1.  In any contested case pending before the Commission, the Regulatory Operations Staff of the Commission may, without filing a petition for leave to intervene:

Terms Used In Nevada Revised Statutes 703.301

(a) Appear and participate in the contested case as an independent party; and

(b) Be represented by legal counsel in the contested case.

2.  A Commissioner may not discuss with a member of the Regulatory Operations Staff of the Commission any substantive issues of fact or law concerning a contested case pending before the Commission except upon notice to all parties to the contested case and an opportunity for all such parties to participate.

3.  As used in this section, ‘contested case’ has the meaning ascribed to it in NRS 233B.032.