Oklahoma § 17-282 - Settlement conferences

§ 17-282. Settlement conferences

A. In any contested public utility rate proceeding, the

Corporation Commission shall at the request of any of the parties,

order a settlement conference among the parties, to be held at a

time and place to be fixed by the Commission. Provided, however,

that the Commission may terminate any settlement conference, upon a

motion by any party, if it finds that any party is failing to

participate in the process in good faith or that there is no

probability of settlement.

B. An individual designated by the Commission with the

concurrence of the utility and the Attorney General will preside as

settlement judge at the settlement conference. The settlement judge

shall take no part in adjudicating the case subsequent to the

settlement conference.

C. Scheduling of settlement conferences will not continue,

delay, or otherwise interfere with scheduling dates set pursuant to

a scheduling order. Likewise, the scheduling dates set at the

prehearing or scheduling conference will not affect the date of a

settlement conference set pursuant to a separate settlement

conference order.

D. At least one attorney who is fully familiar with the

proceeding or cause shall appear for each party. A person or

representative with full settlement authority shall accompany the

attorney to the settlement conference. The settlement judge

presiding over the settlement conference may make such other and

additional requirements of the parties as shall be deemed proper in

order to expedite an amicable resolution of the case. The

settlement authority of the Public Utility Division of the

Corporation Commission shall be extended from the director of that

division.

Oklahoma Statutes - Title 17. Corporation Commission

E. Any settlement reached by the parties shall be subject to

the approval of the Commission.

F. All matters discussed at a settlement conference, and any

materials which may be distributed in connection with a settlement

conference, shall be considered privileged and confidential.

Accordingly, all such matters and materials shall not be admissible

in any public utility rate proceeding, and shall not be disclosed to

the Commission, except for any settlement reached by the parties

which is submitted to the Commission for approval under subsection E

of this section.

Added by Laws 1994, c. 315, § 8, eff. July 1, 1994.