WAC 242-02-560   Settlement extensions -- Continuances.  (1) If additional time is necessary to achieve settlement of a dispute that is an issue in a petition before a board, a board may extend the one hundred eighty-day time limit for issuing a final decision and order, as provided in RCW 36.70A.300 (2)(b). A board may authorize one, or more, extensions of up to ninety days each.

     (2) A request for a settlement extension must be filed with a board not later than seven days before the date scheduled for the hearing on the merits of the petition.

     (3) A board may grant a request for a settlement extension if:

     (a) The request was timely filed; and

     (b)(i) All parties named in the caption of the petition, agree to and sign the request; or

     (ii) A petitioner and respondent agree to and sign the request and the board determines that a negotiated settlement between the remaining parties could resolve significant issues in dispute.

     (4) Continuances of hearings will be granted only on a board's initiative or upon timely request of a party setting forth in detail the reasons for such a request and a date by which such reason will no longer apply. The board will continue the matter only upon a finding of good cause and in order to prevent manifest injustice.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.270(7). 98-01-144, § 242-02-560, filed 12/19/97, effective 1/20/98; 97-04-008, § 242-02-560, filed 1/24/97, effective 3/1/97. Statutory Authority: RCW 36.70A.270(6). 92-21-034, § 242-02-560, filed 10/15/92, effective 10/15/92.]