(1) Record closure. The evidentiary record in an adjudication closes at the conclusion of the last day of hearing unless the commission rules otherwise; except that the evidentiary record will also include any exhibit containing public comments and responses to bench requests the commission receives after the hearings conclude.

(2) Reopening the record. A party may file a motion to reopen the evidentiary record at any time after the record closes and before the commission enters a final order. A party seeking to present additional evidence after the commission has entered a final order must submit a petition for rehearing pursuant to WAC 480-07-870. The commission may reopen the record in a proceeding on its own motion.

(3) Required showing. The commission may reopen the record to allow receipt of evidence that is essential to a decision and that was unavailable and not reasonably discoverable with due diligence at the time of the hearing or for any other good and sufficient cause. A motion to reopen the record must include the evidence the party proposes to add to the record and must demonstrate that the evidence meets this standard.

(4) Responses. The commission will give the other parties an opportunity to respond to a motion to reopen the record, including to the evidence the moving party seeks to add to the record, unless the commission determines that it can rule on the motion without hearing from the other parties consistent with the requirements of due process.

(5) Ruling. The commission will rule on a motion to reopen the record in the final order unless the commission determines that a separate order is warranted. If the commission grants the motion in a separate order, the commission may return the matter to the presiding officer for further proceedings, including additional evidentiary hearings or other process when appropriate.

(6) Compliance with statutory deadline. The commission may deny a motion to reopen the record in any proceeding in which the commission must enter a final order within a statutory time frame or by a statutory deadline if the commission determines that it reasonably could not consider the additional evidence offered and enter a final order within the statutory time frame or by the statutory deadline.