HAR § 18-237D-4-20 — Disqualification of presiding officers

(a) A presiding officer shall be disqualified from deciding an agency appeal if the presiding officer: (1) Has a financial interest, as defined by section 84-3, HRS, in a business or other undertaking that will be directly affected by the decision of the agency appeal; (2) Is related within the third degree by blood or marriage to any party to the proceeding or any party’s representative or attorney; (3) Has participated in the investigation preceding the institution of the agency appeal proceedings or has participated in the development of the evidence to be introduced at the hearing; or (4) Has a personal bias or prejudice concerning a party that will prevent a fair and impartial decision involving that party. (b) A presiding officer shall withdraw from further participation in the proceedings upon discovery of a disqualifying conflict of interest or bias if the factual circumstances are undisputed. If the allegation of a disqualifying conflict of interest or bias is not clearly substantiated, the presiding officer need not voluntarily withdraw and the party seeking the disqualification may file a motion to disqualify the presiding officer. The motion shall be filed and decided before the evidentiary portion of the hearing on the agency appeal. If a presiding officer is disqualified, the director shall designate another representative to serve as the presiding officer. If the disqualified presiding officer is the director, the director shall designate a representative to serve as the presiding officer whose findings of fact, conclusions of law, and decision and order shall be final and binding.