Oregon Statutes 543.055 – Hearings and witnesses
(1) The Water Resources Commission may hold hearings and take testimony orally, by deposition or in such other form as the commission considers satisfactory, either within or without this state. The Water Resources Commission may require, by subpoena, the attendance of witnesses and the production of documentary evidence.
Terms Used In Oregon Statutes 543.055
- Affidavit: A written statement of facts confirmed by the oath of the party making it, before a notary or officer having authority to administer oaths.
- Deposition: An oral statement made before an officer authorized by law to administer oaths. Such statements are often taken to examine potential witnesses, to obtain discovery, or to be used later in trial.
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Oath: A promise to tell the truth.
- Person: includes individuals, corporations, associations, firms, partnerships, limited liability companies and joint stock companies. See Oregon Statutes 174.100
- Subpoena: A command to a witness to appear and give testimony.
- Testimony: Evidence presented orally by witnesses during trials or before grand juries.
(2) An administrative law judge assigned from the Office of Administrative Hearings established under ORS § 183.605, shall conduct any contested case hearing that the commission is required or permitted by law to hold. The administrative law judge has the same powers with respect to the conduct of the hearing as are granted by law to the commission, including the taking of testimony, the signing and issuance of subpoenas and the administering of oaths and affirmations to witnesses. The administrative law judge shall keep a record of the proceedings on the hearing and shall transmit such record to the commission.
(3) The commission may designate any person to take the testimony, affidavit or deposition of a witness. The person so designated may administer an oath or affirmation to any such witness and take the testimony thereof in accordance with such rules as the commission may prescribe.
(4) Witnesses appearing before the commission or any person designated by the commission to take testimony shall be paid the fees and mileage provided for witnesses in ORS § 44.415 (2). [1955 c.673 § 2; 1961 c.224 § 14; 1985 c.673 § 141; 1989 c.980 § 15; 1999 c.849 112,113; 2003 c.75 § 46]