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This website publishes administrative rules on their effective dates, as designated by the adopting state agencies, colleges, and universities.

Chapter 4901-1 | Administrative Provisions and Procedure

 
 
 
Rule
Rule 4901-1-01 | Definitions.
 

As used in this chapter:

(A) "Administrative law judge" (ALJ) has the same meaning attributed to attorney examiner; the terms are interchangeable throughout these and other commission rules and both terms refer to the positions authorized under section 4901.18 of the Revised Code.

(B) "Business day" means any day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

(C) "Commission" means the public utilities commission.

(D) "Docketing information system" means the commission's system for electronically storing documents filed in a case. The internet address of the docketing information system is http://dis.puc.state.oh.us.

(E) "Electric utility" means an electric light company as defined in section 4905.03 of the Revised Code and an electric services company as defined in section 4928.01 of the Revised Code.

(F) "Electronic filing" (e-filing) means the submission of digitized electronic files to the commission's docketing information system.

(G) "Electronic mail" (email) means the exchange of digital messages across the internet or other computer network.

(H) "Emergency rate proceeding" means any case involving an application for an emergency rate adjustment filed under section 4909.16 of the Revised Code.

(I) "Facsimile transmission" (fax) means the transmission of a source document by a facsimile machine or other electronic device that encodes a document into signals and transmits and reconstructs the signals to print a duplicate of the source document at the commission's docketing division or a party's location.

(J) "Gas utility" means a gas or natural gas company as defined in section 4905.03 of the Revised Code.

(K) "General rate proceeding" means any case involving an application for an increase in rates filed under section 4909.18 of the Revised Code, a complaint or petition filed under section 4909.34 or 4909.35 of the Revised Code, or an investigation into the reasonableness of a public utility's rates initiated by the commission under section 4905.26 of the Revised Code.

(L) "Long-term forecast report" has the meaning set forth in section 4935.04 of the Revised Code.

(M) "Person" means a person, firm, corporation, unincorporated association, government agency, the United States, the state of Ohio or one of its political subdivisions, or any other legally cognizable entity including any entity defined as a "person" in division (A) of section 4906.01 of the Revised Code.

(N) "Presiding hearing officer" means the commissioner or ALJ presiding at a public hearing or prehearing conference.

(O) "Private motor carrier" has the meaning set forth in section 4923.02 of the Revised Code.

(P) "Public utility" has the meaning set forth in section 4905.02 of the Revised Code.

(Q) "Purchased gas adjustment proceeding" means any proceeding heard under section 4905.302 of the Revised Code and rule 4901:1-14-08 of the Administrative Code.

(R) "Railroad" has the meaning set forth in section 4907.02 of the Revised Code.

(S) "Reporting person" means any person filing a long-term forecast report under section 4935.04 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:57 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4935.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 4/20/2001
Rule 4901-1-02 | Filing of pleadings and other documents.
 

(A) General provisions

(1) The official address of the commission's docketing division is: "Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, Docketing Division, 180 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215-3793."

(2) The internet address of the commission's docketing division is http://dis.puc.state.oh.us.

(3) The docketing division is open from seven-thirty a.m. to five-thirty p.m., Monday through Friday, except on state holidays.

(4) Except as discussed in paragraph (D) of this rule, no document is considered filed with the commission until it is received and date-stamped by the docketing division. An application for an increase in rates filed under section 4909.18 of the Revised Code, a complaint concerning an ordinance rate filed by a public utility under section 4909.34 of the Revised Code, and a petition filed by a public utility under section 4909.35 of the Revised Code is not considered filed until the commission determines that the application, complaint, or petition complies with the requirements of rule 4901-7-01 of the Administrative Code.

(5) The commission reserves the right to redact any material from a filed document or reject a filed document prior to posting the document on the docketing information system if the commission finds the material to be confidential personal information, a trade secret, or inappropriate for posting to its website.

(6) A party seeking to consolidate a new case with one or more previously filed cases may file a motion to consolidate the cases.

(B) Paper filing

(1) All applications, complaints, reports, pleadings, or other documents to be paper filed with the commission shall be mailed or delivered to the commission's docketing division at the address shown in paragraph (A) of this rule. In addition to the original, any person paper filing a document for inclusion in a case file must submit two copies of the document. Failure to submit the correct number of copies within two business days after notice by the docketing division may result in the document being stricken from the case file. An ALJ may require a party to provide additional paper copies of any filed document.

(2) Unless a motion for a protective order is made in accordance with rule 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code, concurrent with or prior to receipt of the document by the docketing division, any document filed with the docketing division will be made publicly available on the docketing information system.

(C) Facsimile transmission (fax) filing

A person may file documents with the commission via fax under the following conditions:

(1) The following documents may not be delivered via fax:

(a) The application, complaint, or other initial pleading that is responsible for the opening of a case.

(b) Any document for which protective or confidential treatment is requested.

(c) A notice of appeal of a commission order to the Ohio supreme court filed pursuant to section 4903.13 of the Revised Code or service of that notice upon the chairperson or a commissioner.

(2) All documents sent via fax must include a transmission sheet that states the case number, case title, date of transmission, number of pages, brief description of the document, and the name and telephone number of the sender.

(3) The originator of a fax document must contact the commission's docketing division at (614) 466-4095 prior to sending a fax. A person must notify the docketing division of its intent to send a document by fax by five p.m. on the date the document is to be sent.

(4) All documents must be sent to the facsimile machine in the commission's docketing division at (614) 466-0313. If that machine is inoperable, directions for alternative arrangements will be given when the originator calls to commence a fax. Unrequested documents sent to any of the commission's other facsimile machines will not be relayed to the docketing division by commission employees.

(5) Excluding the transmission sheet, all documents transmitted by fax must be thirty pages or less.

(6) All documents must be legible when received. Illegible documents received via fax will not be filed. If the document is illegible, docketing division may attempt to contact the sender to resolve the problem. The person making a fax filing bears all risk of transmission, including all risk of equipment, electric, or telephonic failure or equipment overload or backup. Any document sent by fax that is received in whole or in part after five-thirty p.m. will be considered filed the next business day.

(7) No document received via fax will be given confidential treatment by the commission.

(8) If a document is delivered via fax, the party must make arrangements for the original signed document and the required number of copies of the pleading to be delivered to the commission no later than the next business day. Failure to comply with this requirement may result in the document being stricken from the case file.

(9) Because a document sent to the commission by fax will be date-stamped, and thus filed, the day it is received by the docketing division, the originator of the document shall serve copies of the document upon other parties to the case no later than the date of filing.

(D) Electronic filing (e-file)

A person may e-file documents with the commission under the following conditions:

(1) All filings must comply with the electronic filing manual and technical requirements located under electronic filing information and links at the docketing information system website.

(2) The service of a notice of appeal of a commission order pursuant to sections 4903.13 and 4923.99 of the Revised Code upon the chairperson or a commissioner may not be delivered via e-filing.

(3) A public utility may electronically file an application to increase rates pursuant to section 4909.18 of the Revised Code except that a public utility filing an application pursuant to chapter II of the standard filing requirements in rule 4901-7-01 of the Administrative Code shall submit one complete paper copy of the application to the commission's docketing division on the same day that an e-filing of the application is made and shall contact the rate case manager of the commission's rates and analysis department prior to the e-filing of the application to determine the number of paper copies of the application that will be required by the commission's staff.

(4) Provided that a document is not subsequently rejected by the docketing division, an e-filed document will be considered filed as of the date and time recorded on the confirmation page that is electronically inserted as the last page of the filing upon receipt by the commission, except that any e-filed document received after five-thirty p.m. is considered filed at seven-thirty a.m. the next business day. The docketing division may reject any filing that does not comply with the electronic filing manual and technical requirements, is unreadable, includes anything deemed inappropriate for inclusion on the commission's website, or is submitted for filing in a closed or archived case. If an e-filing is rejected by the docketing division, an email message will be sent to inform the filer of the rejection and the reason for the rejection.

(5) If an e-filing is accepted, notice of the filing will be sent via email to all persons who have electronically subscribed to the case, including the filer. This email notice will constitute service of the e-filed document upon those persons electronically subscribed to the case. Upon receiving the email notice that the e-filed document has been accepted by the commission's docketing division, the filer shall serve copies of the document in accordance with rule 4901-1-05 of the Administrative Code upon parties to the case who are not electronically subscribed to the case.

(6) The commission's docketing division closes at five-thirty p.m. To allow time for same-day review and acceptance of e-filings, persons making e-filings are encouraged to make their filings by no later than four p.m.

(7) The person making an e-filing bears all risk of transmitting a document including, but not limited to, all risk of equipment, electric, or internet failure.

(8) E-filed documents must be complete documents. Appendices or attachments to an e-filed document may not be filed by other methods without prior approval.

(9) Except as otherwise provided by this rule or directed by an ALJ, a person filing a document electronically need not submit any paper copy of an e-filed document to the commission's docketing division.

(E) The commission's docketing information system designates the status of each case under the case number and case name on the docket card. As discussed in this rule, attempts to make filings in certain designated cases will be denied.

(1) An open case is an active case in which filings may be made.

(2) A closed case is one in which no further filings may be made without the consent of the commission's legal department. When a case is closed, any person seeking to make a filing in a case must first contact the ALJ assigned to the case or the commission's legal director. If the ALJ or legal director agrees to permit the filing, the docketing division will be notified to reopen the case. If an additional filing is permitted, the case status will be changed to open and service of the filing must be made by the filer upon the parties to the case in accordance with rule 4901-1-05 of the Administrative Code.

(3) An archived case is a closed case that will not be reopened and in which no further filings will be permitted. If additional activity is thereafter required on any matter addressed in an archived case, the commission will open a new case and designate the new case as a related case. The commission's docketing information system displays for each case a related cases tab to provide a link to related cases.

(4) A reserved case is one set aside for future use. No filings should be made in the case until the party for who it was reserved makes an initial filing.

(5) A void case is one that was opened in error, and no documents may be filed in it.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:57 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4935.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981
Rule 4901-1-03 | Form of pleadings and other papers.
 

(A) All pleadings or other papers to be filed with the commission shall contain the name of the commission, the title of the proceeding, and the nature of the pleading or paper. All pleadings or papers filed subsequently to the original filing or commission entry initiating the proceeding shall contain the case name and docket number of the proceeding. Such pleadings or other papers shall also contain the name, address, and telephone number of the person filing the paper, or the name, address, telephone number, email addresses and attorney registration number of his or her attorney, if such person is represented by counsel. A party not represented by an attorney who is willing to accept service of filed documents by fax may include a fax number and the following phrase next to or below its fax number: (willing to accept service by fax). A party not represented by an attorney who is willing to accept service of filed documents by email may include the following phrase next to or below its email address: (willing to accept service by email).

(B) All pleadings or other papers to be filed with the commission shall be printed, typewritten, or legibly handwritten on eight and one-half by eleven-inch paper. This requirement does not apply to:

(1) Original documents to be offered as exhibits.

(2) Copies of original documents to be offered as exhibits, where compliance with this requirement would be impracticable.

(3) Forms approved or supplied by the commission.

(C) Nothing in paragraph (B) of this rule disallows the filing of photocopies of documents that otherwise meet the requirements of that paragraph.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:57 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-04 | Signing of pleadings.
 

All applications, complaints, or other pleadings filed by any person shall be signed by that person or by his or her attorney, but need not be verified unless specifically required by law or by the commission. Persons who e-file or fax file documents may use "/s/" followed by their name to indicate a signature or an electronic signature where applicable.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:58 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/7/2007, 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-05 | Service of pleadings and other papers.
 

(A) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, all pleadings or papers filed with the commission subsequent to the original filing or commission entry initiating the proceeding shall be served upon all parties, no later than the date of filing. Such pleadings or other papers shall contain a certificate of service. The certificate of service shall state the date and manner of service, identify the names of the persons served, and be signed by the attorney or the party who files the document. The certificate of service for a document served by mail or personal service shall also include the address of the person served. The certificate of service for a document served by fax shall also include the fax number of the person to whom the document was transmitted. The certificate of service for a document served by email shall also include the email address of the person to whom the document was sent.

(B) If an e-filing is accepted by the docketing division, an email notice of the filing will be sent by the commission's e-filing system to all persons who have electronically subscribed to the case. The email notice will constitute service of the document upon the recipient. Upon receiving notice that an e-filing has been accepted by the docketing division, the filer shall serve copies of the document in accordance with this rule upon all other parties to the case who are not served via the email notice. A person making an e-filing shall list in the certificate of service included with the e-filing the parties who will be served by email notice by the commission's e-filing system and the parties who will be served by traditional methods by the person making the filing. The certificate of service for an e-filed document shall include the following notice: The PUCO's e-filing system will electronically serve notice of the filing of this document on the following parties: (list the names of the parties referenced on the service list of the docket card who have electronically subscribed to the case).

(C) If a party has entered an appearance through an attorney, service of pleadings or other papers shall be made upon the attorney instead of the party. If the party is represented by more than one attorney, service need be made only upon the "counsel of record" designated under rule 4901-1-08 of the Administrative Code. If no counsel of record is listed for a party with multiple counsel then service may be made on the first-listed counsel in the initial pleading.

(D) Unless service is completed through the commission's e-filing system as set forth in paragraph (B) of this rule or email service is impractical, (e.g., due to file size) an attorney representing a party before the commission may accomplish service upon other attorney-represented parties that have intervened or made an appearance no later than the day before the filing by email. Otherwise, service upon an attorney or party may be personal or by mail, by fax, or email under the following conditions:

(1) Personal service is complete by delivery of the copy to the attorney or to a responsible person at the office of the attorney. Personal service to a party not represented by an attorney is complete by delivery to the party or to a responsible person at the address provided by the party in its pleadings.

(2) Service by mail to an attorney or party is complete by mailing a copy to his or her last known address. If the attorney or party to be served has previously filed and served one or more pleadings or documents in the proceeding, the term "last known address" means the address set forth in the most recent such pleading or document.

(3) Service of a document to an attorney or party by fax may be made only if the person to be served has consented to receive service of the document by fax. Service by fax is complete upon transmission, but is not effective if the serving party learns that it did not reach the person served.

(4) Service of a document by email to a party not represented by an attorney may be made only if the party to be served has consented to receive service of the document by email.

(5) Service by email is complete upon transmission, but is not effective if the serving party learns that it did not reach the person served.

(E) For purposes of this rule, the term "party" includes, in addition to those identified in rule 4901-1-10 of the Administrative Code, all persons who have filed motions to intervene that are pending at the time a pleading or document is to be served, provided that the person serving the pleading or other document has been served with a copy of the motion to intervene.

(F) The commission or the legal director, deputy legal director, or ALJ may order in certain cases that pleadings or documents be served in a specific manner to expedite the exchange of information.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:58 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1983, 5/7/2007, 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-06 | Amendments.
 

Unless otherwise provided by law, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may, upon their own motion or upon motion of any party for good cause shown, authorize the amendment of any application, complaint, long-term forecast report, or other pleading filed with the commission.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:58 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4935.04(G)
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981
Rule 4901-1-07 | Computation of time.
 

Unless otherwise provided by law or by the commission:

(A) In computing any period of time prescribed or allowed by the commission, the date of the event from which the period of time begins to run is not included. The last day of the period so computed is included, unless it falls on a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday, in which case the period of time runs until the end of the next day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday. Unless otherwise noted, time is measured in calendar, not business, days.

(B) Whenever a party is permitted or required to take some action within a prescribed period of time after a pleading or other paper is served upon him or her and service is made by mail, three days may be added to the prescribed period of time.

(C) Whenever a party is permitted or required to take some action within a prescribed period of time after a pleading or other paper is served upon him or her and service is made by personal, fax, or email service and is completed after five thirty p.m., one day may be added to the prescribed period of time. The applicable time zone is the time zone where the recipient is located, but will be no earlier than the actual close of the commission offices.

(D) If the commission office is closed to the public for the entire day that constitutes the last day for doing an act or closes before its usual closing time on that day, the act may be performed on the next succeeding day that is not a Saturday, Sunday, or legal holiday.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:58 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 1.14, 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-08 | Practice before the commission, representation of corporations, and designation of counsel of record.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in section 4901.14 of the Revised Code and paragraphs (B), (C), and (D) of this rule, each party not appearing in propria persona shall be represented by an attorney-at-law authorized to practice before the courts of this state. Corporations must be represented by an attorney-at-law.

(B) An out-of-state attorney may seek permission to appear pro hac vice before the commission in any activity of a case upon the filing of a motion and compliance with section 2 of rule XII of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio.

(C) Certified legal interns may appear before the commission under the direction of a supervising attorney, in accordance with rule II of the Supreme Court Rules for the Government of the Bar of Ohio. No legal intern may participate in a commission hearing in the absence of the supervising attorney without the written consent of the supervising attorney and the approval of the commission or the presiding hearing officer.

(D) If a prehearing conference is scheduled to discuss settlement of the issues in a complaint case, any person except an out-of-state attorney not in compliance with paragraph (B) of this rule, with the requisite authority to settle the issues in the case may represent a party at the conference.

(E) Where a party is represented by more than one attorney, one of the attorneys shall be designated as the "counsel of record," who has principal responsibility for the party's participation in the proceeding. The designation "counsel of record" shall appear following the name of that attorney on all pleadings or papers submitted on behalf of the party.

(F) No attorney may withdraw from a commission proceeding without prior written notice to the commission and serving a copy of the notice upon the parties to the proceeding.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 4/4/1996, 4/20/2001
Rule 4901-1-09 | Ex parte discussion of cases.
 

After a case has been assigned a formal docket number, no commissioner or ALJ assigned to the case may discuss the merits of the case with any party to the proceeding or a representative of a party, unless all parties have been notified and given the opportunity to be present or to participate by telephone, or a full disclosure of the communication insofar as it pertains to the subject matter of the case is made. When an ex parte discussion occurs, a representative of the party or parties participating in the discussion shall prepare a document identifying all the participants and the location of the discussion, and fully disclosing the communications made. Within two business days of the occurrence of the ex parte discussion, the document shall be provided to the commission's legal director, the legal director's designee, or to an ALJ present at the discussion for review. Upon completion of the review, the final document with any necessary changes shall be filed with the commission's docketing division within two business days and the filer shall serve a copy upon the parties to the case and to each participant in the discussion. The document filed and served shall include the following language: Any participant in the discussion who believes that any representation made in this document is inaccurate or that the communications made during the discussion have not been fully disclosed may prepare a letter explaining the participant's disagreement with the document, file the letter with the commission, and serve the letter upon all parties and participants in the discussion within two business days of receipt of this document.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4903.081
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-10 | Parties.
 

(A) The parties to a commission proceeding includes:

(1) Any person who files an application, petition, long-term forecast report, or complaint.

(2) Any public utility, railroad, or private motor carrier against whom a complaint is filed.

(3) Any public utility, railroad, or private motor carrier whose rates, charges, practices, policies, or actions are designated as the subject of a commission investigation.

(4) Any person granted leave to intervene under rule 4901-1-11 of the Administrative Code.

(5) Any municipal corporation that has enacted an ordinance which is subsequently challenged in a complaint filed under section 4909.34 of the Revised Code.

(6) Any person cited for failure to maintain liability insurance as required by section 4921.09 of the Revised Code.

(7) Any person who files a request for an administrative hearing in a transportation civil forfeiture case.

(8) Any other person expressly made a party by order of the commission.

(B) If any public utility, railroad, or private motor carrier referred to in paragraph (A)(2) or (A)(3) of this rule is operated by a receiver or trustee, the receiver or trustee shall also be made a party.

(C) Except for purposes of rules 4901-1-02, 4901-1-03, 4901-1-04, 4901-1-05, 4901-1-06, 4901-1-07, 4901-1-12, 4901-1-13, 4901-1-15, 4901-1-18, 4901-1-26, 4901-1-30, 4901-1-31, 4901-1-32, 4901-1-33, and 4901-1-34 of the Administrative Code, the commission staff is not considered a party to any proceeding.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4903.221, 4935.04(G)
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-11 | Intervention.
 

(A) Upon timely motion, any person may intervene in a proceeding upon a showing that:

(1) A statute of this state or the United States confers a right to intervene.

(2) The person has a real and substantial interest in the proceeding, and the person is so situated that the disposition of the proceeding may, as a practical matter, impair or impede his or her ability to protect that interest, unless the person's interest is adequately represented by existing parties.

(B) In deciding whether to permit intervention under paragraph (A)(2) of this rule, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ should consider:

(1) The nature and extent of the prospective intervenor's interest.

(2) The legal position advanced by the prospective intervenor and its probable relation to the merits of the case.

(3) Whether the intervention by the prospective intervenor will unduly prolong or delay the proceedings.

(4) Whether the prospective intervenor will significantly contribute to full development and equitable resolution of the factual issues.

(5) The extent to which the person's interest is represented by existing parties.

(C) Any person desiring to intervene in a proceeding shall file a motion to intervene with the commission, and shall serve it upon all parties in accordance with rule 4901-1-05 of the Administrative Code. The motion shall be accompanied by a memorandum in support, setting forth the person's interest in the proceeding. The same procedure applies where a statute of this state or the United States confers a right to intervene.

(D) Unless otherwise provided by law, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may:

(1) Grant limited intervention, which permits a person to participate with respect to one or more specific issues, if the person has no real and substantial interest with respect to the remaining issues or the person's interest with respect to the remaining issues is adequately represented by existing parties.

(2) Require parties with substantially similar interests to consolidate their examination of witnesses or presentation of testimony.

(E) A motion to intervene will not be considered timely if it is filed later than five days prior to the scheduled date of hearing or after any specific deadline established by order of the commission for purposes of a particular proceeding.

(F) A motion to intervene which is not timely filed may at the discretion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, be granted for good cause shown.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 8:59 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4903.221
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 7/18/1985
Rule 4901-1-12 | Motions.
 

(A) All motions, unless made at a public hearing or transcribed prehearing conference, or unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, shall be in writing and shall be accompanied by a memorandum in support. The memorandum in support shall contain a brief statement of the grounds for the motion and citations of any authorities relied upon.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (C) and (F) of this rule:

(1) Any party may file a memorandum contra within fifteen days after the service of a motion, or such other period as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ orders.

(2) Any party may file a reply memorandum within seven days after the service of a memorandum contra, or such other period as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ orders.

(C) Any motion may include a specific request for an expedited ruling. The grounds for such a request shall be set forth in the memorandum in support. If the motion requests an extension of time to file pleadings or other papers of five days or less, an immediate ruling may be issued without the filing of memoranda. In all other situations, the party requesting an expedited ruling may first contact all other parties to determine whether any party objects to the issuance of such a ruling without the filing of memoranda. If the moving party certifies that no party objects to the issuance of such a ruling, an immediate ruling may be issued. If any party objects to the issuance of such a ruling, or if the moving party fails to certify that no party has any objection, any party may file a memorandum contra within seven days after the service of the motion, or such other period as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ orders. No reply memoranda may be filed in such cases unless specifically requested by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ.

(D) All written motions and memoranda shall be filed with the commission and served upon all parties in accordance with rule 4901-1-05 of the Administrative Code.

(E) For purposes of this rule, the term "party" includes all persons who have filed motions to intervene which are pending at the time a motion or memorandum is to be filed or served.

(F) Notwithstanding paragraphs (B) and (C) of this rule, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may, upon their own motion, issue an expedited ruling on any motion, with or without the filing of memoranda, where the issuance of such a ruling will not adversely affect a substantial right of any party.

(G) The presiding hearing officer may direct that any motion made at a public hearing or transcribed prehearing conference be reduced to writing and filed and served in accordance with this rule.

(H) A motion for a hearing on a long-term forecast report under division (D)(3) of section 4935.04 of the Revised Code shall be filed within forty-five days of the filing of the report.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4935.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987
Rule 4901-1-13 | Continuances and extensions of time.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided by law, and notwithstanding any other provision in this chapter, continuances of public hearings and extensions of time to file pleadings or other papers may be granted upon motion of any party for good cause shown, or upon motion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ.

(B) A motion for an extension of time to file a document must be timely filed so as to permit the commission, legal director, deputy legal director, or ALJ sufficient time to consider the request and to make a ruling prior to the established filing date. If two or more parties have similar documents due the same day and a party intends to seek an extension of the filing date, the moving party must file its motion for an extension sufficiently in advance of the existing filing date so that other parties who might be disadvantaged by submitting their filing prior to the movant submitting its filing will not be disadvantaged. If two or more parties have similar documents due the same day and the motion for an extension is filed fewer than five business days before the document is scheduled to be filed, then the moving party, in addition to regular service of the motion for an extension, must provide a brief summary of the request to all other parties no later than five-thirty p.m. on the day the motion is filed.

(C) A copy of any written ruling granting or denying a request for a continuance or extension of time shall be served upon all parties to the proceeding.

(D) Nothing in this rule restricts or limits the authority of the presiding hearing officer to issue oral rulings during public hearings or transcribed prehearing conferences.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-14 | Procedural rulings.
 

The legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may rule, in writing, upon any procedural motion or other procedural matter. A copy of any such ruling will be served upon all parties to the proceeding.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981
Rule 4901-1-15 | Interlocutory appeals.
 

(A) Any party who is adversely affected thereby may take an immediate interlocutory appeal to the commission from any ruling issued under rule 4901-1-14 of the Administrative Code or any oral ruling issued during a public hearing or prehearing conference that does any of the following:

(1) Grants a motion to compel discovery or denies a motion for a protective order.

(2) Denies a motion to intervene, terminates a party's right to participate in a proceeding, or requires intervenors to consolidate their examination of witnesses or presentation of testimony.

(3) Refuses to quash a subpoena.

(4) Requires the production of documents or testimony over an objection based on privilege.

(B) Except as provided in paragraph (A) of this rule, no party may take an interlocutory appeal from any ruling issued under rule 4901-1-14 of the Administrative Code or any oral ruling issued during a public hearing or prehearing conference unless the appeal is certified to the commission by the legal director, deputy legal director, ALJ, or presiding hearing officer. The legal director, deputy legal director, ALJ, or presiding hearing officer will not certify such an appeal unless he or she finds that the appeal presents a new or novel question of interpretation, law, or policy, or is taken from a ruling which represents a departure from past precedent and an immediate determination by the commission is needed to prevent the likelihood of undue prejudice or expense to one or more of the parties, should the commission ultimately reverse the ruling in question.

(C) Any party wishing to take an interlocutory appeal from any ruling must file the interlocutory appeal with the commission within five days after the ruling is issued. An extension of time for the filing of an interlocutory appeal may be granted only under extraordinary circumstances. The interlocutory appeal shall set forth the basis of the appeal and citations of any authorities relied upon. A copy of the ruling or the portion of the record that contains the ruling shall be attached to the interlocutory appeal. If the record is unavailable, the interlocutory appeal must set forth the date the ruling was issued and must describe the ruling with reasonable particularity.

(D) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, any party may file a memorandum contra within five days after the filing of an interlocutory appeal.

(E) Upon consideration of an interlocutory appeal, the commission may, in its discretion either:

(1) Affirm, reverse, or modify the ruling.

(2) Dismiss the appeal, if the commission is of the opinion that the issues presented are moot, the party taking the appeal lacks the requisite standing to raise the issues presented or has failed to show prejudice as a result of the ruling in question, or the issues presented should be deferred and raised at some later point in the proceeding.

(F) Any party that is adversely affected by a ruling issued under rule 4901-1-14 of the Administrative Code or any oral ruling issued during a public hearing or prehearing conference and that (1) elects not to take an interlocutory appeal from the ruling or (2) files an interlocutory appeal that is not certified by the ALJ may still raise the propriety of that ruling as an issue for the commission's consideration by discussing the matter as a distinct issue in its initial brief or in any other appropriate filing prior to the issuance of the commission's opinion and order or finding and order in the case.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987, 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-16 | General provisions and scope of discovery.
 

(A) The purpose of rules 4901-1-16 to 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code is to encourage the prompt and expeditious use of prehearing discovery in order to facilitate thorough and adequate preparation for participation in commission proceedings. This chapter is also intended to minimize commission intervention in the discovery process.

(B) Except as otherwise provided in paragraphs (G) and (I) of this rule, any party to a commission proceeding may obtain discovery of any matter, not privileged, which is relevant to the subject matter of the proceeding. It is not a ground for objection that the information sought would be inadmissible at the hearing, if the information sought appears reasonably calculated to lead to the discovery of admissible evidence. Discovery may be obtained through interrogatories, requests for the production of documents and things or permission to enter upon land or other property, depositions, and requests for admission. Aside from the express limits reflected in Chapter 4901-1 of the Administrative Code, the frequency of using these discovery methods is not limited unless the commission orders otherwise under rule 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code.

(C) Any party may, through interrogatories, require any other party to identify each expert witness expected to testify at the hearing and to state the subject matter on which the expert is expected to testify. Thereafter, any party may discover from the expert or other party facts or data known or opinions held by the expert which are relevant to the stated subject matter. A party who has retained or specially employed an expert may, with the approval of the commission, require the party conducting discovery to pay the expert a reasonable fee for the time spent responding to discovery requests.

(D) Discovery responses which are complete when made need not be supplemented with subsequently acquired information except in the following situations:

(1) The response identified each expert witness expected to testify at the hearing or stated the subject matter upon which each expert was expected to testify.

(2) The responding party later learned that the response was incorrect or otherwise materially deficient.

(3) The response indicated that the information sought was unknown or nonexistent and such information subsequently became known or existent.

(4) An order of the commission or agreement of the parties provides for the supplementation of responses.

(5) Reasonable requests for the supplementation of responses are submitted prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(6) The response addressed the identity and location of persons having knowledge of discoverable matters.

(E) The supplementation of responses required under paragraphs (D)(1) to (D)(3) and (D)(6) of this rule shall be provided within five business days of discovery of the new information.

(F) Nothing in rules 4901-1-16 to 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code precludes parties from conducting informal discovery by mutually agreeable methods or by stipulation.

(G) A discovery request under rules 4901-1-19 to 4901-1-22 of the Administrative Code may not seek information from any party which is available in prefiled testimony, prehearing data submissions, or other documents which that party has filed with the commission in the pending proceeding. Before serving any discovery request, a party must first make a reasonable effort to determine whether the information sought is available from such sources.

(H) For purposes of rules 4901-1-16 to 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code, the term "party" includes any person who has filed a motion to intervene which is pending at the time a discovery request or motion is to be served or filed.

(I) Rules 4901-1-16 to 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code do not apply to the commission staff.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:01 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-17 | Time periods for discovery.
 

(A) Except as provided in paragraph (E) of this rule, discovery may begin immediately after a proceeding is commenced and should be completed as expeditiously as possible. Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, discovery must be completed prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(B) In general rate proceedings, no party may serve a discovery request later than fourteen days after the filing and mailing of the staff report of investigation under section 4909.19 of the Revised Code.

(C) In emergency rate proceedings, no party may serve a discovery request later than twenty days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(D) In purchased gas adjustment proceedings, no party may serve a discovery request later than thirty days after the filing of the audit report under rule 4901:1-14-07 of the Administrative Code.

(E) In long-term forecast report proceedings, no party may serve a discovery request later than twenty-five days prior to the commencement of the evidentiary hearing. Discovery may begin in long-term forecast report proceedings:

(1) Immediately after the filing with the commission of a long-term forecast report which contains a substantial change from the preceding report as defined by section 4935.04 of the Revised Code.

(2) Immediately after the filing with the commission of a long-term forecast report when the most recent hearing on a forecast report by the reporting person has been more than four years prior.

(3) Immediately after good cause to conduct a hearing on a long-term forecast report has been determined by order of the commission.

(4) Immediately after a reporting person files its first long-term forecast report under section 4935.04 of the Revised Code.

(F) The restrictions set forth in paragraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this rule do not apply to requests for the supplementation of prior responses served under paragraph (D)(5) of rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code.

(G) Notwithstanding the provisions of paragraphs (B), (C), (D), and (E) of this rule, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may shorten or enlarge the time periods for discovery, upon their own motion or upon motion of any party for good cause shown.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:01 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Rule 4901-1-18 | Filing and service of discovery requests and responses.
 

Except as otherwise provided in rules 4901-1-23 and 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code, and unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, discovery requests and responses shall be served upon all parties but should not be filed with the commission. Discovery requests and responses shall be served upon staff counsel if staff is participating in the proceeding. For purposes of this rule, the term "response" includes written responses or objections to interrogatories served under rule 4901-1-19 of the Administrative Code, written responses or objections to requests for the production of documents or tangible things or requests for permission to enter upon land or other property served under rule 4901-1-20 of the Administrative Code, and written responses or objections to requests for admission served under rule 4901-1-22 of the Administrative Code. It does not include any documents or tangible things produced for inspection or copying under rule 4901-1-20 of the Administrative Code. Discovery requests and responses shall be served upon all parties to the proceeding by email, unless otherwise ordered by the commission, legal director, deputy legal director, or ALJ. The electronic copy of the discovery requests should be reasonably useable for word processing and provided by email, unless other means are agreed to by the parties.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:01 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-19 | Interrogatories and response time.
 

(A) Any party may serve upon any other party written interrogatories, to be answered by the party served. If the party served is a corporation, partnership, association, government agency, or municipal corporation, it shall designate one or more of its officers, agents, or employees to answer the interrogatories, who shall furnish such information as is available to the party. Each interrogatory shall be answered separately and fully, in writing and under oath, unless it is objected to, in which case the reason for the objection shall be stated in lieu of an answer. The answers shall be signed by the person making them, and the objections shall be signed by the attorney or other person making them. The party upon whom the interrogatories have been served shall serve a copy of the answers or objections upon the party submitting the interrogatories and all other parties within twenty days after the service thereof, or within such shorter or longer time as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may allow. The party submitting the interrogatories may move for an order under rule 4901-1-23 of the Administrative Code with respect to any objection or other failure to answer an interrogatory.

(B) Subject to the scope of discovery set forth in rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code, interrogatories may elicit facts, data, or other information known or readily available to the party upon whom the interrogatories are served. An interrogatory which is otherwise proper is not objectionable merely because it calls for an opinion, contention, or legal conclusion, but the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may direct that such interrogatory need not be answered until certain designated discovery has been completed, or until some other designated time. The answers to interrogatories may be used to the extent permitted by the rules of evidence, but such answers are not conclusive and may be rebutted or explained by other evidence.

(C) Where the answer to an interrogatory may be derived or ascertained from public documents on file in this state, or from documents which the party served with the interrogatory has furnished to the party submitting the interrogatory within the preceding twelve months, it is a sufficient answer to such interrogatory to specify the title of the document, the location of the document or the circumstances under which it was furnished to the party submitting the interrogatory, and the page or pages from which the answer may be derived or ascertained.

(D) Where the answer to an interrogatory may be derived or ascertained from the business records of the party upon whom the interrogatory has been served or from an examination, audit, or inspection of such records, and the burden of deriving the answer is substantially the same for the party submitting the interrogatory as for the party served, it is a sufficient answer to such interrogatory to specify the records from which the answer may be derived or ascertained and to afford the party submitting the interrogatory a reasonable opportunity to examine, audit, or inspect such records.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:02 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987
Rule 4901-1-20 | Production of documents and things; entry upon land or other property.
 

(A) Subject to the scope of discovery set forth in rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code, any party may serve upon any other party a written request to:

(1) Produce and permit the party making the request, or someone acting on his or her behalf, to inspect and copy any designated documents, including writings, drawings, graphs, charts, photographs, or data compilations, which are in the possession, custody, or control of the party upon whom the request is served.

(2) Produce for inspection, copying, sampling, or testing any tangible things which are in the possession, control, or custody of the party upon whom the request is served.

(3) Permit entry upon designated land or other property for the purpose of inspecting, measuring, surveying, photographing, testing, or sampling the property or any designated object or operation thereon.

(B) The request shall set forth the items to be inspected either by individual item or by category, and shall describe each category with reasonable particularity. The request shall also specify a reasonable time, place, and manner for conducting the inspection and performing the related acts.

(C) The party upon whom the request is served shall serve a written response within twenty days after the service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may allow. The response shall state, with respect to each item or category, that the inspection and related activities will be permitted as requested, unless the request is objected to, in which case the reason for the objection shall be stated. If an objection is made to part of an item or category, that part shall be specified. The party submitting the request may move for an order under rule 4901-1-23 of the Administrative Code with respect to any objection or other failure to respond to a request or any part thereof, or any failure to permit inspection as requested.

(D) Where a request calls for the production of a public document on file in this state, or a document which the party upon whom the request is served has furnished to the party submitting the request within the preceding twelve months, it is a sufficient response to such request to specify the location of the document or the circumstances under which the document was furnished to the party submitting the request.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:02 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 6/1/1983, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-21 | Depositions.
 

(A) Any party to a pending commission proceeding may take the testimony of any other party or person, other than a member of the commission staff, by deposition upon oral examination with respect to any matter within the scope of discovery set forth in rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code. The attendance of witnesses and production of documents may be compelled by subpoena as provided in rule 4901-1-25 of the Administrative Code.

(B) Any party desiring to take the deposition of any person upon oral examination shall give reasonable notice in writing to the deponent, to all parties, and to the commission. The notice shall state the time and place for taking the deposition and the name and address of each person to be examined, if known, or if the name is not known, a general description sufficient for identification. If a subpoena duces tecum is to be served upon the person to be examined, a designation of the materials to be produced thereunder shall be attached to or included in the notice. Notice to the commission is made by filing a copy of the notice of deposition provided to the person to be deposed or a copy of the subpoena in the case file.

(C) If any party shows that he or she was unable with the exercise of diligence to obtain counsel to represent him or her at the taking of a deposition, the deposition may not be used against such party.

(D) The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, in response to the filing of a motion, may order that a deposition be recorded by other than stenographic means, in which case the order will designate the manner of recording the deposition, and may include provisions to assure that the recorded testimony will be accurate and trustworthy. If such an order is made, any party may arrange to have a stenographic transcription made at his or her own expense.

(E) The notice to a party deponent may be accompanied by a request, made in compliance with rule 4901-1-20 of the Administrative Code, for the production of documents or tangible things at the taking of the deposition.

(F) A party may in the notice and in a subpoena name a corporation, partnership, association, government agency, or municipal corporation and designate with reasonable particularity the matters on which examination is requested. The organization so named shall choose one or more of its officers, agents, employees, or other persons duly authorized to testify on its behalf, and shall set forth, for each person designated, the matters on which he or she will testify. The persons so designated shall testify as to matters known or reasonably available to the organization.

(G) Depositions may be taken before any person authorized to administer oaths under the laws of the jurisdiction in which the deposition is taken, or before any person appointed by the commission. Unless all of the parties expressly agree otherwise, no deposition may be taken before any person who is a relative, employee, or attorney of any party, or a relative or employee of such attorney.

(H) The person before whom the deposition is to be taken shall put the witness under oath or affirmation, and shall personally or by someone acting under his direction and in his presence record the testimony of the witness. Examination and cross-examination may proceed as permitted in commission hearings. The testimony shall be recorded stenographically or by any other means ordered under paragraph (D) of this rule. If requested by any of the parties, the testimony shall be transcribed at the expense of the party making the request.

(I) All objections made at the time of the examination to the qualifications of the officer taking the deposition, or to the manner of taking it, or to the evidence presented, or to the conduct of any party, and any other objection to the proceedings shall be noted by the officer upon the deposition. Evidence objected to shall be taken subject to the objections. In lieu of participating in the oral examination, parties may serve written questions in a sealed envelope upon the party taking the deposition, who shall transmit them to the officer to propound them to the witness and record the answers verbatim.

(J) At any time during the taking of a deposition, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, in response to a motion of any party or the deponent and upon a showing that the examination is being conducted in bad faith or in such a manner as to unreasonably annoy, embarrass, or oppress the deponent or party, may order the person conducting the examination to cease taking the deposition, or may limit the scope and manner of taking the deposition as provided in rule 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code. Upon demand of the objecting party or deponent, the taking of the deposition shall be suspended for the time necessary to make a motion for such an order.

(K) If and when the testimony is fully transcribed, the deposition shall be submitted to the witness for examination and shall be read to or by him or her, unless such examination and reading are expressly waived by the witness and the parties. Any changes in form or substance that the witness desires to make may be entered upon the deposition by the officer with a statement of the reasons given by the witness for making the changes. The deposition shall then be signed by the witness unless the signing is expressly waived by the parties or the witness is ill or cannot be found or refuses to sign. If the deposition is not signed by the witness within ten days after its submission to him or her, the officer shall sign it and state on the record the fact of the waiver or the illness or absence of the witness, or the fact of the refusal to sign together with the reasons, if any, given for such refusal. The deposition may then be used as fully as though signed, unless the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, upon motion to suppress, holds that the reasons given for the refusal to sign require rejection of the deposition in whole or in part.

(L) The officer shall certify on the deposition that the witness was duly sworn by him or her and that the deposition is a true record of the testimony given by the witness. Upon payment of reasonable charges therefor, the officer shall furnish a copy of the deposition to any party or to the deponent.

(M) Documents and things produced for inspection during the examination of the witness shall, upon request of any party, be marked for identification and annexed to the deposition, except that:

(1) The person producing the materials may substitute copies to be marked for identification, if all parties are afforded a fair opportunity to verify the copies by comparison with the originals,

(2) If the person producing the materials requests their return, the officer shall mark them, give each party an opportunity to inspect and copy them, and return them to the person producing them, and the materials may then be used in the same manner as if annexed to the deposition.

(N) Except as stated in paragraph (N)(2) of this rule, depositions may be used in commission hearings to the same extent permitted in civil actions in the court of common pleas.

(1) Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, any depositions to be used as evidence must be filed with the commission at least three days prior to the commencement of the hearing. A deposition need not be prefiled if used to impeach the testimony of a witness at hearing.

(2) Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, a deposition cannot be used as substantive evidence in lieu of the deponent appearing to present testimony at hearing.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:02 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.06
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-22 | Requests for admission.
 

(A) Any party may serve upon any other party a written request for the admission, for purposes of the pending proceeding only, of the truth of any specific matter within the scope of discovery set forth in rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code, including the genuineness of any documents described in the request. Copies of any such documents shall be served with the request unless they are or have been otherwise furnished for inspection or copying. Objections are to be separately noted and not combined with answers to requests for admission.

(B) Each matter of which an admission is requested shall be separately set forth. The party to whom a request for admission has been directed shall quote each request for admission immediately preceding the corresponding answer or objection. The matter is admitted unless, within twenty days after the service of the request, or within such shorter or longer time as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may allow, the party to whom the request is directed serves upon the party requesting the admission a written answer or objection, signed by the party or by his or her attorney. If an objection is made, the reasons therefor shall be stated. The answer shall specifically deny the matter or set forth in detail the reasons why the answering party cannot truthfully make an admission or denial. A denial shall fairly meet the substance of the requested admission, and when good faith requires that a party qualify his or her answer or deny only part of the matter of which an admission is requested, the party shall specify that portion which is true and qualify or deny the remainder. An answering party may not give lack of information as a reason for failure to admit or deny a matter unless the party states that he or she has made reasonable inquiry and that information known or readily obtainable is insufficient to enable him or her to make an admission or denial. A party who considers the truth of a matter of which an admission has been requested to be a genuine issue for the hearing may not, on that basis alone, object to the request, but may deny the matter or set forth the reasons why an admission or denial cannot be made.

(C) Any party who has requested an admission may move for an order under rule 4901-1-23 of the Administrative Code with respect to any answer or objection. Unless it appears that an objection is justified, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ will order that answer be served. If an answer fails to comply with the requirements of this rule, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may:

(1) Order that the matter be admitted for purposes of the pending proceeding.

(2) Order that an amended answer be served.

(3) Determine that final disposition of the matter should be deferred until a prehearing conference or some other designated time prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(D) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, any matter admitted under this rule is conclusively established against the party making the admission, but such admission may be rebutted by evidence offered by any other party. An admission under this rule is an admission for purposes of the pending proceeding only and may not be used for any other purpose.

(E) If any party refuses to admit the truth of a matter which is subsequently proved at the hearing, and the commission determines that the party's refusal to admit the truth of the matter was not justified, the commission may impose a portion of the costs of the proceeding upon such party, in accordance with the second division of section 4903.24 of the Revised Code.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:02 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987
Rule 4901-1-23 | Motions to compel discovery.
 

(A) Any party, upon reasonable notice to all other parties and any persons affected thereby, may move for an order compelling discovery, with respect to:

(1) Any failure of a party to answer an interrogatory served under rule 4901-1-19 of the Administrative Code.

(2) Any failure of a party to produce a document or tangible thing or permit entry upon land or other property as requested under rule 4901-1-20 of the Administrative Code.

(3) Any failure of a deponent to appear or to answer a question propounded under rule 4901-1-21 of the Administrative Code.

(4) Any other failure to answer or respond to a discovery request made under rules 4901-1-19 to 4901-1-22 of the Administrative Code.

(B) For purposes of this rule, an evasive or incomplete answer will be treated as a failure to answer.

(C) No motion to compel discovery may be filed under this rule until the party seeking discovery has exhausted all other reasonable means of resolving any differences with the party or person from whom discovery is sought. A motion to compel discovery shall be accompanied by:

(1) A memorandum in support, setting forth:

(a) The specific basis of the motion, and citations of any authorities relied upon.

(b) A brief explanation of how the information sought is relevant to the pending proceeding.

(c) Responses to any objections raised by the party or person from whom discovery is sought.

(2) Copies of any specific discovery requests which are the subject of the motion to compel and copies of any responses or objections thereto.

(3) An affidavit of counsel, or of the party seeking to compel discovery if such party is not represented by counsel, setting forth the efforts which have been made to resolve any differences with the party or person from whom discovery is sought.

(D) The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may grant or deny the motion in whole or in part. If the motion is denied in whole or in part, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may issue such protective order as would be appropriate under rule 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code.

(E) Any order of the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ granting a motion to compel discovery in whole or in part may be appealed to the commission in accordance with rule 4901-1-15 of the Administrative Code. If no application for review is filed within the time limit set forth in that rule, the order of the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ becomes the order of the commission.

(F) If any party or person disobeys an order of the commission compelling discovery, the commission may:

(1) Seek appropriate judicial relief against the disobedient person or party under section 4903.04 or 4905.60 of the Revised Code.

(2) Prohibit the disobedient party from further participating in the pending proceeding.

(3) Prohibit the disobedient party from supporting or opposing designated claims or defenses, or from introducing evidence or conducting cross-examination on designated matters.

(4) Dismiss the pending proceeding, if such proceeding was initiated by an application, petition, or complaint filed by the disobedient party, unless such a dismissal would unjustly prejudice any other party.

(5) Take such other action as the commission considers appropriate.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:03 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4903.082
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 6/1/1983
Rule 4901-1-24 | Motions for protective orders.
 

(A) Upon motion of any party or person from whom discovery is sought, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may issue any order that is necessary to protect a party or person from annoyance, embarrassment, oppression, or undue burden or expense. Such a protective order may provide that:

(1) Discovery not be had.

(2) Discovery may be had only on specified terms and conditions.

(3) Discovery may be had only by a method of discovery other than that selected by the party seeking discovery.

(4) Certain matters not be inquired into.

(5) The scope of discovery be limited to certain matters.

(6) Discovery be conducted with no one present except persons designated by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ.

(7) A trade secret or other confidential research, development, commercial, or other information not be disclosed or be disclosed only in a designated way.

(8) Information acquired through discovery be used only for purposes of the pending proceeding, or that such information be disclosed only to designated persons or classes of persons.

(B) No motion for a protective order shall be filed under paragraph (A) of this rule until the person or party seeking the order has exhausted all other reasonable means of resolving any differences with the party seeking discovery. A motion for a protective order filed pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule shall be accompanied by:

(1) A memorandum in support, setting forth the specific basis of the motion and citations of any authorities relied upon.

(2) Copies of any specific discovery requests that are the subject of the request for a protective order.

(3) An affidavit of counsel, or of the person seeking a protective order if such person is not represented by counsel, setting forth the efforts that have been made to resolve any differences with the party seeking discovery.

(C) If a motion for a protective order filed pursuant to paragraph (A) of this rule is denied in whole or in part, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may require that the party or person seeking the order provide or permit discovery, on such terms and conditions as are just.

(D) Upon motion of any party or person with regard to the filing of a document with the commission's docketing division relative to a case before the commission, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may issue any order which is necessary to protect the confidentiality of information contained in the document, to the extent that state or federal law prohibits release of the information, including where the information is deemed by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ to constitute a trade secret under Ohio law, and where nondisclosure of the information is not inconsistent with the purposes of Title 49 of the Revised Code. Any order issued under this paragraph will minimize the amount of information protected from public disclosure. The following requirements apply to a motion filed under this paragraph:

(1) All documents submitted pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule should be filed with only such information redacted as is essential to prevent disclosure of the allegedly confidential information. Such redacted documents should be filed with the otherwise required number of copies for inclusion in the public case file.

(2) Two unredacted copies of the allegedly confidential information shall be filed under seal, along with a motion for protection of the information, with the secretary of the commission, the chief of the docketing division, or the chief's designee. Each page of the allegedly confidential material filed under seal must be marked as "confidential," "proprietary," or "trade secret."

(3) The motion for protection of allegedly confidential information shall be accompanied by a memorandum in support setting forth the specific basis of the motion, including a detailed discussion of the need for protection from disclosure, and citations of any authorities relied upon. The motion and memorandum in support shall be made part of the public record of the proceeding.

(E) Pending a ruling on a motion filed in accordance with paragraph (D) of this rule, the information filed under seal will not be included in the public record of the proceeding or disclosed to the public until otherwise ordered. The commission and its employees will undertake reasonable efforts to maintain the confidentiality of the information pending a ruling on the motion. A document or portion of a document filed with the docketing division that is marked "confidential," "proprietary," or "trade secret," or with any other such marking will not be afforded confidential treatment and protected from disclosure unless it is filed in accordance with paragraph (D) of this rule.

(F) Unless otherwise ordered, any order prohibiting public disclosure pursuant to paragraph (D) of this rule automatically expires twenty-four months after the date of its issuance, and such information may then be included in the public record of the proceeding. A party wishing to extend a protective order beyond twenty-four months shall file an appropriate motion at least forty-five days in advance of the expiration date of the existing order. The motion shall include a detailed discussion of the need for continued protection from disclosure. A timely-filed motion will be automatically approved on the expiration date of the existing order, unless otherwise ordered by the commission. Nothing precludes the commission from reexamining the need for protection de novo if there is an application for rehearing on confidentiality or a public records request for the redacted information.

(G) The requirements of this rule do not apply to information submitted to the commission staff. However, information submitted directly to the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ that is not filed in accordance with the requirements of paragraph (D) of this rule may be filed with the docketing division as part of the public record. No document received via fax will be given confidential treatment by the commission.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:03 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1983, 7/7/1997, 5/7/2007, 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-25 | Subpoenas.
 

(A) The commission, any commissioner, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may issue subpoenas upon their own motion or upon motion of any party. A subpoena shall command the person to whom it is directed to attend and give testimony at the time and place specified therein. A subpoena may also command such person to produce the books, papers, documents, or other tangible things described therein. A party may request a subpoena by either of the following methods:

(1) A party may file a motion for a subpoena with the docketing division. A completed subpoena form, ready for signature, shall accompany the motion. The ALJ assigned to the case, or the legal director or deputy legal director or their designee, will review the filing and, if appropriate, sign the subpoena. The ALJ, legal director, deputy legal director, or designee will return via United States mail the signed subpoena, with a cover letter, to the party that filed the motion. A copy of the cover letter will be docketed in the case file.

(2) To receive expedited treatment, a motion for a subpoena and the subpoena itself should first be submitted in person to the ALJ assigned to the case, or to the legal director or a designee, for signature of the subpoena. After the subpoena is signed, a copy of the motion for a subpoena and a copy of the signed subpoena shall then be filed with the docketing division by the requesting party and served upon the parties to the case. The person seeking the subpoena shall retain the original signed subpoena and make arrangements for its service.

(B) Arranging for service of a signed subpoena is the responsibility of the person requesting the subpoena. A subpoena may be served by any other person who is not a party and who is not less than eighteen years of age. Service of a subpoena upon a person named therein shall be made by delivering it to such person, or by reading it to him or her in person, leaving it at his or her place of residence, leaving it at his or her business address if the person is a party or employee of a party to the case, or mailing the subpoena via United States mail as certified or express mail, return receipt requested, with instructions to the delivering postal authority to show to whom delivered, date of delivery, and address where delivered. A subpoena may be served at any place within this state. The person serving the subpoena shall file a return thereof with the docketing division. When the subpoena is served by mail, the person filing the return shall include the signed receipt with the return.

(C) The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, upon their own motion or upon motion of any party, may quash a subpoena if it is unreasonable or oppressive, or condition the denial of such a motion upon the advancement by the party on whose behalf the subpoena was issued of the reasonable costs of producing the books, papers, documents, or other tangible things described therein.

(D) A subpoena may require a person, other than a member of the commission staff, to attend and give testimony at a deposition, and to produce designated books, papers, documents, or other tangible things within the scope of discovery set forth in rule 4901-1-16 of the Administrative Code. Such a subpoena is subject to the provisions of rule 4901-1-24 of the Administrative Code as well as paragraph (C) of this rule.

(E) Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, all motions for subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses at a hearing must be filed with the commission no later than ten days prior to the commencement of the hearing or, if expedited treatment is requested, no later than five days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(F) Any persons subpoenaed to appear at a commission hearing, other than a party or an officer, agent, or employee of a party, shall receive the same witness fees and mileage expenses provided in civil actions as provided in section 2335.06 of the Revised Code . For purposes of this paragraph, the term "employee" includes consultants and other persons retained or specially employed by a party for purposes of the proceeding. If the witness is subpoenaed at the request of one or more parties, the witness fees and mileage expenses shall be paid by such party or parties. If the witness is subpoenaed upon motion of the commission, a commissioner, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, the witness fees and mileage expenses will be paid by the state, in accordance with section 4903.05 of the Revised Code. Unless otherwise ordered, a motion for a subpoena requiring the attendance of a witness at a hearing shall be accompanied by a deposit in the form of a check made payable to the person subpoenaed sufficient to cover the required witness fees and mileage expenses for one day's attendance. A separate deposit is required for each witness. The deposit shall be tendered to the fiscal officer of the commission, who shall tender the check to the witness when the hearing is completed. The fiscal officer shall attempt to resolve any payment controversies between the parties. The fiscal officer shall bring any unresolved controversies to the attention of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ for resolution.

(G) If any person fails to obey a subpoena issued by the commission, a commissioner, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, the commission may seek appropriate judicial relief against such person under section 4903.02 or 4903.04 of the Revised Code.

(H) A sample subpoena is provided in the appendix to this rule.

View Appendix

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:03 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981, 5/7/2007, 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-26 | Prehearing conferences.
 

(A) In any proceeding, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may, upon motion of any party or upon their own motion, hold one or more prehearing conferences for the purpose of:

(1) Resolving outstanding discovery matters, including:

(a) Ruling on pending motions to compel discovery or motions for protective orders.

(b) Establishing a schedule for the completion of discovery.

(2) Ruling on any other pending procedural motions.

(3) Identifying the witnesses to be presented in the proceeding and the subject matter of their testimony.

(4) Identifying and marking exhibits to be offered in the proceeding.

(5) Discussing possible admissions or stipulations regarding issues of fact or the authenticity of documents.

(6) Clarifying and/or settling the issues involved in the proceeding.

(7) Discussing or ruling on any other procedural matter that the commission or the presiding hearing officer considers appropriate.

(B) Reasonable notice of any prehearing conference will be provided to all parties when possible. Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, the failure of a party to attend a prehearing conference constitutes a waiver of any objection to the agreements reached or rulings made at such conference.

(C) Prior to a prehearing conference, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ assigned to the case may, upon motion of any party or upon their own motion, require that all parties to the proceeding file with the commission and serve upon all other parties a list of the issues the party intends to raise at the hearing. Issues must be specifically identified and described and the presiding hearing officer may, upon motion of any party or upon his or her own motion, strike issues which do not meet this requirement. In any proceeding in which lists of issues are required, no party may be permitted to raise an issue at hearing that was not set forth in its list, except for good cause shown.

(D) Following the conclusion of a prehearing conference, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may issue an appropriate prehearing order, reciting or summarizing any agreements reached or rulings made at such conference. Unless otherwise ordered for good cause shown, such order is binding upon all persons who are or subsequently become parties, and controls the subsequent course of the proceeding.

(E) Evidence of (1) furnishing or offering or promising to furnish, or (2) accepting or offering or promising to accept a valuable consideration in compromising or attempting to compromise a disputed matter in a commission proceeding is not admissible to prove liability for or invalidity of the dispute. Evidence of conduct or statements made in compromise negotiations is likewise not admissible. This rule does not exclude any evidence otherwise discoverable merely because it is presented in the course of compromise negotiations. This rule also does not exclude evidence if offered for another valid purpose.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:03 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/1/1983
Rule 4901-1-27 | Hearings.
 

(A) The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ will assign the time and place for each hearing. Unless otherwise ordered, all hearings are held at the offices of the commission in Columbus, Ohio. Reasonable notice of each hearing will be provided to all parties.

(B) The presiding hearing officer regulates the course of the hearing and the conduct of the participants. Unless otherwise provided by law, the presiding hearing officer may, without limitation:

(1) Administer oaths and affirmations.

(2) Determine the order in which the parties present testimony and the order in which witnesses are examined.

(3) Issue subpoenas.

(4) Rule on objections, procedural motions, and other procedural matters.

(5) Examine witnesses.

(6) Grant continuances.

(7) Take such actions as are necessary to:

(a) Avoid unnecessary delay.

(b) Prevent the presentation of irrelevant or cumulative evidence.

(c) Prevent argumentative, repetitious, cumulative, or irrelevant cross-examination.

(d) Assure that the hearing proceeds in an orderly and expeditious manner.

(e) Prevent public disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary business information, or confidential research, development, or commercial materials and information. The presiding hearing officer may, upon motion of any party, direct that a portion of the hearing be conducted in camera and that the corresponding portion of the record be sealed to prevent public disclosure of trade secrets, proprietary business information, or confidential research, development, or commercial materials and information. The party requesting such protection shall have the burden of establishing that such protection is required. The commission or the presiding hearing officer will issue a ruling prior to the closing of the case regarding the amount of time that any sealed portion of the hearing record remains sealed.

(C) The presiding hearing officer will permit members of the public that are not parties to the proceeding, the opportunity to offer testimony at the portion or session of the hearing designated for the taking of public testimony.

(D) Formal exceptions to rulings or orders of the presiding hearing officer are unnecessary if, at the time the ruling or order is made, the party makes known the action which he or she desires the presiding hearing officer to take, or his or her objection to action which has been taken and the basis for that objection.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:04 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-28 | Reports of investigation and objections thereto.
 

(A) In all rate proceedings in which the commission is required by section 4909.19 of the Revised Code to conduct an investigation, a written report of such investigation will be filed with the commission and served upon all parties. The report is deemed to be admitted into evidence as of the time it is filed with the commission, but all or part of such report may subsequently be stricken, upon motion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ assigned to the case, or upon motion of any party for good cause shown. Any person making or contributing to the report may be subpoenaed to testify at the hearing in accordance with rule 4901-1-25 of the Administrative Code, but the unavailability of such persons does not affect the admissibility of the report.

(B) Any party may file objections to a report of investigation described in paragraph (A) of this rule, within thirty days after such report is filed with the commission. Such objections may relate to the findings, conclusions, or recommendations contained in the report, or to the failure of the report to address one or more specific items. All objections must be specific. Any objections that fail to meet this requirement may be stricken upon motion of any party or the commission staff or upon motion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ. Except for rate proceedings, if the commission staff modifies any portion of the report after objections are filed, then any party may raise new objections in response to such modification within fifteen days after such modification is filed with the commission.

(C) The objections to the report described in paragraph (A) of this rule, shall frame the issues in the proceeding, although the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may designate additional issues or areas of inquiry. Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, all material findings and conclusions set forth in the report to which no objection has been filed are deemed admitted for purposes of the proceeding. At the hearing, any party who has filed objections may present evidence in support of those objections. The commission or the presiding hearing officer may, in their discretion, permit the parties to present evidence or conduct cross-examination concerning additional issues. Any party may present rebuttal testimony in response to direct testimony or other evidence presented by any other party or by the commission staff, unless otherwise ordered by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ.

(D) In a rate case proceeding, an objection to a staff report will be deemed withdrawn if a party fails to address the objection in its initial brief.

(E) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, in all other cases in which the commission orders an investigation to be performed by staff and the filing of a report, the report is deemed admitted into evidence at the time it is filed with the commission, but all or part of such report may subsequently be stricken upon motion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, or upon motion of any party for good cause shown. If a staff report described in this paragraph is admitted into evidence, interested persons will have some opportunity, to be determined by the commission, to submit testimony, file comments, or file objections to the report. If a hearing is scheduled in the case in which the report is filed, any person making or contributing to the report may be subpoenaed to testify at the hearing in accordance with paragraph (A) of rule 4901-1-25 of the Administrative Code, but the unavailability of such persons does not affect the admissibility of the report. Objections or comments to a report described in this paragraph should not be filed unless directed by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:04 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 6/15/2014
Rule 4901-1-29 | Expert testimony.
 

(A) Except as otherwise provided in this rule, all expert testimony to be offered in commission proceedings, except testimony to be offered by the commission staff, shall be reduced to writing, filed with the commission, and served upon all parties prior to the time such testimony is to be offered. The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may establish a schedule in any proceeding for the filing of testimony to be presented by staff.

(1) Unless otherwise ordered by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ:

(a) All direct expert testimony to be offered by the applicant, complainant, or petitioner in a general rate proceeding shall be filed and served no later than ten days prior to the commencement of the hearing or the deadline for filing objections to the staff report of investigation, whichever occurs earlier.

(b) All direct expert testimony to be offered by any other party in a general rate proceeding shall be filed and served no later than the deadline for filing objections to the staff report of investigation.

(c) All direct expert testimony to be offered by the applicant in an emergency rate proceeding shall be filed and served no later than sixteen days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(d) All direct expert testimony to be offered by any other party in an emergency rate proceeding shall be filed and served no later than seven days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(e) All direct expert testimony to be offered by the gas utility in a purchased gas adjustment proceeding shall be filed and served no later than sixteen days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(f) All direct expert testimony to be offered by any other party in a purchased gas adjustment proceeding shall be filed and served no later than seven days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(g) All direct expert testimony to be offered by any party in a long-term forecast report proceeding shall be filed and served no later than sixteen days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(h) All direct expert testimony to be offered in any other commission proceeding shall be filed and served no later than seven days prior to the commencement of the hearing.

(2) All expert testimony to be offered in rebuttal shall be filed and served within the time limits established by the commission or the presiding hearing officer, unless the commission or the presiding hearing officer determines that such testimony need not be reduced to writing.

(B) For purposes of this rule, "commencement of the hearing" means the scheduled date for beginning the hearing at which expert testimony is to be offered.

(C) Notwithstanding paragraph (A) of this rule, the presiding hearing officer may, in his or her discretion, permit an expert witness to present additional oral testimony at the hearing, provided that such testimony could not, with reasonable diligence, have been filed and served within the time limits established by the commission or the presiding hearing officer or the presentation of such testimony will not unduly delay the proceeding or unjustly prejudice any other party.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:04 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4935.04
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 12/25/1987
Rule 4901-1-30 | Stipulations.
 

(A) Any two or more parties may enter into a written or oral stipulation concerning issues of fact, the authenticity of documents, or the proposed resolution of some or all of the issues in a proceeding.

(B) A written stipulation must be signed by all of the parties joining therein, and must be filed with the commission and served upon all parties to the proceeding.

(C) An oral stipulation may be made only during a public hearing or prehearing conference conducted on the record, and all parties joining in such a stipulation must acknowledge their agreement thereto on the record. The commission or the presiding hearing officer may require that an oral stipulation be reduced to writing and filed and served in accordance with paragraph (B) of this rule.

(D) Unless otherwise ordered, parties who file a full or partial written stipulation or make an oral stipulation must file or provide the testimony of at least one signatory party that supports the stipulation. Parties that do not join the stipulation may offer evidence and/or argument in opposition.

(E) No stipulation may be considered binding upon the commission.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:04 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 1/20/1963
Rule 4901-1-31 | Briefs and memoranda.
 

(A) In addition to those instances in which this chapter specifically allows the filing of memoranda, the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may, upon motion of any party or upon their own motion, permit or order the filing of briefs or memoranda at any time during a proceeding. Such briefs or memoranda may, in the discretion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, be limited to one or more specific issues.

(B) All briefs and memoranda which are greater than ten pages and which address more than one proposition or issue shall contain a table of contents which should include the propositions or issues discussed within the brief or memorandum. If requested by the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ, all parties shall include within their initial brief a section entitled "statement of issues." This section shall list all issues that the party requests that the commission address in its opinion and order. The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may impose other requirements or limitations concerning the length or form of briefs or memoranda.

(C) If unreported decisions, other than decisions of the commission, are cited, copies of such decisions shall be attached to the brief or memorandum and shall be furnished to all parties. Failure to comply with this requirement may be grounds for striking the brief or memorandum.

(D) In long-term forecast report proceedings, the record is considered closed for purposes of division (F) of section 4935.04 of the Revised Code upon the filing of the final round of briefs.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18, 4935.04(F), 4935.04(G)
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 7/18/1985, 12/25/1987, 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-32 | Oral arguments.
 

The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may, upon motion of any party or upon their own motion, hear oral arguments at any time during a proceeding. Such arguments may, in the discretion of the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ, be limited to one or more specific issues, and are subject to such time limitations and other conditions as the commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or the ALJ may prescribe.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Rule 4901-1-33 | Attorney examiner's reports and exceptions thereto.
 

(A) If ordered by the commission, the ALJ will prepare a written report of his or her findings, conclusions, and recommendations, following the conclusion of a hearing. Such report is filed with the commission and served upon all parties.

(B) Any party may file exceptions to an ALJ's report within twenty days after such report is filed with the commission. Exceptions shall be stated and numbered separately, and shall be accompanied by a memorandum in support, setting forth the basis of the exceptions and citations of any authorities relied upon. If an exception relates to one or more findings of fact, the memorandum in support should, where practicable, include specific citations to any portions of the record relied upon in support of the exception.

(C) Any party may file a reply to another party's exceptions within fifteen days after the service of those exceptions.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 7/18/1985, 12/25/1987
Rule 4901-1-34 | Reopening of proceedings.
 

(A) The commission, the legal director, the deputy legal director, or an ALJ may, upon their own motion or upon motion of any person for good cause shown, reopen a proceeding at any time prior to the issuance of a final order.

(B) A motion to reopen a proceeding shall specifically set forth the purpose of the requested reopening. If the purpose is to permit the presentation of additional evidence, the motion shall specifically describe the nature and purpose of such evidence, and shall set forth facts showing why such evidence could not, with reasonable diligence, have been presented earlier in the proceeding.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13, 4901.18
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 5/7/2007
Rule 4901-1-35 | Applications for rehearing.
 

(A) Any party or any affected person, firm, or corporation may file an application for rehearing, within thirty days after the issuance of a commission order, in the form and manner and under the circumstances set forth in section 4903.10 of the Revised Code. An application for rehearing must set forth, in numbered or lettered paragraphs, the specific ground or grounds upon which the applicant considers the commission order to be unreasonable or unlawful. An application for rehearing must be accompanied by a memorandum in support, which sets forth an explanation of the basis for each ground for rehearing identified in the application for rehearing and which shall be filed no later than the application for rehearing.

(B) Any party may file a memorandum contra within ten days after the filing of an application for rehearing.

(C) As provided in section 4903.10 of the Revised Code, all applications for rehearing must be filed within thirty days after an order has been journalized by the secretary of the commission, or, in the case of an application that is subject to automatic approval under the commission's procedures, an application for rehearing must be filed within thirty days after the date on which the automatic timeframe has expired, unless the application has been suspended by the commission.

(D) A party or any affected person, firm, or corporation may only file one application for rehearing to a commission order within thirty days following the entry of the order upon the journal of the commission.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 4/20/2001
Rule 4901-1-36 | Supreme court appeals.
 

Consistent with the requirements of section 4903.13 of the Revised Code, a notice of appeal of a commission order to the Ohio supreme court must be filed with the commission's docketing division within the time period prescribed by the court and served, unless waived, upon the chairperson of the commission, or, in his or her absence, upon any public utilities commissioner, or by leaving a copy at the offices of the commission at Columbus. Service of the notice of appeal of a commission order to the Ohio supreme court may not be delivered via fax or e-filing upon the chairperson or a commissioner.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:05 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Prior Effective Dates: 3/1/1981
Rule 4901-1-37 | Commission workshops.
 

The commission may, from time to time, schedule informational workshops for the purpose of receiving information and exchanging ideas regarding relevant topics. Such workshops are listed on the commission's regular meeting agenda or on the weekly hearing calendar and open to all interested persons. The workshops need not be transcribed and participants need not be represented by counsel. Certain individuals may be designated by the commission as spokespersons or chairpersons for purposes of presenting information or conducting such workshops. Requests by persons interested in scheduling a workshop shall be made in writing to the director of the relevant staff department, with a copy of the request submitted to the chairperson of the commission. The commission, in its discretion, reserves the right to postpone or reject requests for workshops.

Last updated April 11, 2024 at 9:06 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/11/2029
Rule 4901-1-38 | General provisions.
 

(A) This chapter sets forth the procedural standards that apply to all entities participating in cases before the commission.

(B) The commission may, upon its own motion or upon a motion filed by a party, waive any requirement of this chapter for good cause shown, other than a requirement mandated by statute from which no waiver is permitted.

Last updated May 6, 2024 at 9:51 AM

Supplemental Information

Authorized By: 4901.13
Amplifies: 4901.13
Five Year Review Date: 4/1/2029