653—1.8 (17A) Public hearings prior to the adoption, amendment or repeal of any rule.
	 1.8(1) Scheduling a public hearing. The board may at its discretion hold a public hearing, or it shall hold a public hearing upon the written request of at least 25 interested persons, a governmental subdivision, an agency, or an association of 25 persons.
	  a.   	 If the board chooses to hold a public hearing, it will announce the date, time, and location in the Iowa Administrative Bulletin.
	  b.   	 If the board has not scheduled a public hearing and a person or an organization wishes to request one, a written request for a public hearing shall be received by the executive director within 20 days after the notice of intended action has been published.
	 (1) 	 The executive director shall schedule a public hearing if the request(s) meets the requirements of this rule.
	 (2) 	 The executive director shall set the date, time, and location of the public hearing.
	 (3) 	 The individual or organization requesting the public hearing shall be notified of the date, time, and location of the public hearing by certified mail.
	 1.8(2) Proceedings at the public hearing. The chairperson of the board shall serve as the presiding officer or appoint a presiding officer over the public hearing.
	  a.   	 Any individual(s) may present either written or oral comments pertinent to the rule(s) for which the public hearing has been scheduled.
	 (1) 	 Any individual(s) desiring to make written comments in advance of the hearing shall submit these comments to the executive director. The presiding officer shall accept written comments at the hearing.
	 (2) 	 Any individual(s) desiring to make an oral presentation shall be present at the hearing and ask to speak.
	  b.   	 The authority of the presiding officer during the public hearing includes:
	 (1) 	 Setting a time limit on oral presentations if necessary;
	 (2) 	 Excluding any individual(s) who may be either disruptive or obstructive to the hearing;
	 (3) 	 Ruling that the oral presentation or discussion is not pertinent to the hearing; and
	 (4) 	 Accepting any written testimony.
	  c.   	 The conduct of the presiding officer during the public hearing shall include but need not be limited to:
	 (1) 	 Open the hearing and receive appearances.
	 (2) 	 Enter the notice of hearing into the public record.
	 (3) 	 Review rule(s) under adoption, amendment or repeal and provide rationale for the proposed action by the board.
	 (4) 	 Receive written and oral presentations.
	 (5) 	 Read into the official public record written comments which have been submitted.
	 (6) 	 Inform those individuals present that within 30 days of the date of hearing the board shall issue a written statement of the principal reasons for and against the rule it adopted, incorporating therein the reasons either for accepting or overruling considerations urged against the rule.
	 (7) 	 Adjourn the hearing.