WAC 463-30-253   Settlement consideration procedure.  The council must have a reasonable opportunity to hear parties' views on why a proposed settlement should be approved and adopted, to ask questions of the parties, and to conduct its processes in an orderly fashion. Parties must, therefore, consider the timing and the content of their settlement presentation to the council.

     (1) Settlement presentation timing. Parties must file a proposed settlement that allows the council sufficient time for the filing, review, and approval of any filing.

     (2) Settlement presentation contents. When filing a proposed settlement agreement, parties must also file supporting documentation sufficient to demonstrate to the council that the proposal is appropriate for adoption.

     (a) Supporting documentation should include supporting evidence; a narrative outlining the scope of the settlement and its principal aspects; a statement explaining in detail why the proposal is appropriate for adoption; a summary of its costs and benefits; and a summary of legal points that bear on the proposed settlement. The documentation may be in the form of a memorandum, supporting prefiled testimony, brief, or other form that serves the same functions.

     (b) Parties must make a brief presentation to the council concerning the proposed settlement and address any legal or factual matters associated with it. Each party to the settlement agreement must offer to present one or more witnesses to testify in support of the proposal and to answer questions. In the case of a contested settlement, parties opposed to the council's adoption of the proposal may offer to present one or more witnesses to testify or argue against the proposal.



[Statutory Authority: RCW 80.50.040 (1) and (12). 04-21-013, § 463-30-253, filed 10/11/04, effective 11/11/04.]