(a) An appeals conference will be held if requested by any of the following:

(b) If an appeals conference is requested under subdivision (a)(3) or (a)(4), or for a petition for reassessment of nonunitary value under subdivision (a)(2), the Chief Counsel may modify the time periods provided in sections 5326.6 and 5327.

(c) An appeals conference will consider all issues raised in the petition. The purpose of an appeals conference is to obtain additional facts and evidence, obtain stipulations of fact, and narrow questions of law, in order to facilitate a more efficient and productive oral hearing or other Board action on the petition.

(d) The parties may attend the appeals conference in person or by telephone. The Appeals Attorney will attempt to conduct the appeals conference at a time and in a manner that is convenient for both the petitioner and the State-Assessed Properties Division.

(e) The petitioner and the State-Assessed Properties Division will be notified of the date, time, and place of the appeals conference in writing or by electronic mail or facsimile. The petitioner and the State-Assessed Properties Division must confirm their participation in writing or by electronic mail or facsimile. Once the parties agree to attend an appeals conference, the Appeals Attorney, at its discretion, may choose to hold the appeals conference at the stated date, time, and place even if one party does not appear.

(f) The Appeals Attorney (conference holder) will conduct the appeals conference. To the extent practicable, the conference holder will ensure that the appeals conference is informal and non-adversarial in nature.

(g) The petitioner must be represented at the conference by an agent or employee who is thoroughly familiar with the facts and issues and has been authorized to represent the petitioner. The State-Assessed Properties Division will be represented by an appraiser.

(h) The conference holder will not record, videotape, or arrange for court reporting of the appeals conference. Any party may arrange for the appeals conference to be recorded or reported, at that party's expense. If the appeals conference is recorded or reported, a transcript must be made available to all participants. A recording or transcript of an appeals conference becomes a disclosable public record, if and when the petition being discussed on the record or transcript becomes a disclosable public record under chapter 5 of this division.

(i) If an appeals conference is scheduled, the Chief Counsel may shorten the time period provided in section 5327.4, subdivision (c), for issuing the notice of hearing.