Section 1848.17  Disqualification of Hearing Officer

a)         A hearing officer, on his own motion or that of a party, may be disqualified in a proceeding due to bias or conflict of interest.

b)         A motion for disqualification filed pursuant to this Section shall:

1)         Be in writing;

2)         Contain a statement of supporting grounds; and

3)         Be filed with the Director and served upon all parties.

c)         Unless the Director orders otherwise, the hearing officer and any party to a proceeding in which a motion is filed under this Section shall have ten (10) days from service of the motion to file a response.

d)         The Director shall rule on all motions filed pursuant to this Section as expeditiously as possible.  If a motion filed under this Section is granted, the Director shall appoint a new hearing officer for the proceeding.