(1) The presiding officer may exclude evidence that is irrelevant, unduly repetitious, or excludable on constitutional or statutory grounds, or on the basis of any evidentiary privilege provided by statute or recognized in the courts of this state. All other evidence may be admitted if it is of a type commonly relied upon by prudent persons in the conduct of their affairs.
(2) Any part of the evidence may be received in written form if doing so will expedite the hearing without substantially prejudicing the interests of any party.
(3) Documentary evidence may be received in the form of copies or excerpts, if the original is not readily available. Upon request, parties shall be given an opportunity to compare the copy with the original if available.
(4) Official notice may be taken of: any facts that could be judicially noticed in the courts of this state; and
(5) generally recognized technical or scientific facts within the agency’s specialized knowledge.
(6) The agency’s experience, technical competence, and specialized knowledge may be utilized in the evaluation of the evidence.
Parties shall be notified of the specific facts or material noticed and the source thereof, including any staff memoranda and data. Notice should be provided either before or during the hearing, and must be provided before the issuance of any order that is based in whole or in part on facts or material noticed. Parties must be afforded a timely and meaningful opportunity to contest and rebut the facts or material so noticed. When the presiding officer proposes to notice staff memoranda or reports, a responsible staff member shall be made available for cross-examination if any party so requests.