In this chapter:

     (1) "Mediation" means a process in which a mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between parties to assist them in reaching a voluntary agreement regarding their dispute.

     (2) "Mediation communication" means a statement, whether oral or in a record or verbal or nonverbal, that occurs during a mediation or is made for purposes of considering, conducting, participating in, initiating, continuing, or reconvening a mediation or retaining a mediator.

     (3) "Mediator" means an individual who conducts a mediation.

     (4) "Nonparty participant" means a person, other than a party or mediator, that participates in a mediation.

     (5) "Mediation party" means a person that participates in a mediation and whose agreement is necessary to resolve the dispute.

     (6) "Person" means an individual, corporation, business trust, estate, trust, partnership, limited liability company, association, joint venture, government; governmental subdivision, agency, or instrumentality; or public corporation, or any other legal or commercial entity.

     (7) "Proceeding" means:

     (a) A judicial, administrative, arbitral, or other adjudicative process, including related prehearing and posthearing motions, conferences, and discovery; or

     (b) A legislative hearing or similar process.

     (8) "Record" means information that is inscribed on a tangible medium or that is stored in an electronic or other medium and is retrievable in perceivable form.

     (9) "Sign" means:

     (a) To execute or adopt a tangible symbol with the present intent to authenticate a record; or

     (b) To attach or logically associate an electronic symbol, sound, or process to or with a record with the present intent to authenticate a record.

[2005 c 172 § 2.]