(1) Initial hearing notice.

(a) Timing. The commission will set the time and place of the first hearing session or prehearing conference in any adjudication in a notice served to all parties at least twenty days before the hearing or conference. The commission may shorten the notice period to seven days, as provided by RCW 34.05.434. The commission will set all hearings sufficiently in advance so that all parties will have a reasonable time to prepare, considering the procedural schedule, other pending matters, and the need to minimize continuances.

(b) Provisions for appointment of interpreter. The initial notice of hearing will state that if a limited-English-speaking or hearing-impaired party needs an interpreter, a qualified interpreter will be appointed at no cost to the party or witness. The notice will include a form for a party to indicate whether the party needs an interpreter and to identify the party's primary language or hearing-impaired status.

(2) Notice of continued hearing sessions. When a hearing is not concluded as scheduled, the time and place for continued hearing sessions may be set:

(a) On the record without further written notice to the parties; or

(b) By letter or formal notice from the presiding officer or the commission secretary.