(1) A hearing examiner or member of the commission assigned to preside over petitions for declaratory rulings and hearings upon them shall have those powers and that authority contained in ARM 24.9.306.

(2) The hearing examiner shall expedite the hearing of petitions for declaratory rulings to the extent possible consistent with preserving the right to a fair hearing.

(3) The hearing examiner shall, to the extent possible and in compliance with the rights of the public to be heard and participate in public hearings, encourage and permit public participation in declaratory ruling hearings as well as public commentary upon the issues before the commission.