(a) Hearings shall be conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the Director and shall be open to the public unless otherwise ordered by the hearing officer. It shall be the duty of the hearing officer to inquire fully into all matters in issue and necessary to obtain a full and complete record upon which SMCS, the Director, the hearing officer, or the Board may discharge their duties under the Laws described in Section 93000. A hearing officer may be substituted by the Director at any time.

(b) The hearing officer may, in their discretion, continue the hearing from day to day, or adjourn it to a later date or to a different place, by announcement thereof at a hearing or by other appropriate notice.

(c) All motions, including motions for intervention pursuant to Section 93035 below, shall be in writing, or if made at the hearing may be stated orally on the record, and shall briefly state the action or relief sought and the grounds for such motion. Motions shall be filed with the hearing officer, and a copy thereof shall immediately be served by the moving party upon each of the other parties to the proceeding. The hearing officer shall rule either orally on the record or in writing upon all motions, including all motions to dismiss a petition.