Section 500.580  Bias or Disqualification of Hearing Officer

a)         Any interested party may file a sufficient affidavit before or during the proceeding and before a final decision is made.  Such affidavit shall set forth allegations of personal bias, prejudice or disqualification of a presiding Hearing Officer. The Board shall determine this issue as part of the record of the case. When a Hearing Officer is disqualified, or if it becomes impractical for that Hearing Officer to continue, another Hearing Officer may be assigned, unless it is further shown that substantial bias or prejudice will result from that assignment.

b)         The Hearing Officer may at any time voluntarily disqualify the Hearing Officer.