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(m) EVIDENCE. <br />(1) Form and Admissibility - The Commission shall not be bound by the rules <br />relating to the admission or rejection of evidence, but may exercise its own <br />discretion in such matter with a view to doing substantial justice. <br />(2) Ruling - The presiding officer shall rule on the admissibility of all evidence. <br />Such rulings may be reviewed by the Commission in determining the matter <br />of the merits. <br />(3) Objections and Exceptions - When objections are made to the admission or <br />exclusion of evidence, the grounds relied upon shall be stated briefly. <br />Formal exceptions to rulings are unnecessary and need not be taken. <br />(4) Offer of Proof - An offer of proof for the record shall consist of a statement <br />of the substance of the evidence to which objection has been sustained. <br />(5) Prepared Testimony - With the approval of the presiding officer, a witness <br />may read into the record his testimony on direct examination. Before any <br />prepared testimony is read, unless excused by the presiding officer, the <br />witness shall deliver copies thereof to the presiding officer and all counsel <br />or parties. Admissibility shall be subject to the rules governing oral <br />testimony. If the presiding officer deems that substantial saving in time will <br />result, a copy of the prepared testimony may be received in evidence <br />without reading, provided that copies thereof shall have been served upon <br />all parties and the Commission fifteen days before the hearing or such prior <br />service is waived to permit proper cross examination of the witness on <br />matters contained in the prepared testimony. <br />(6) Documentary Evidence - If relevant and material matter offered in evidence <br />is embraced in a document containing other matters, the party offering it <br />shall designate specifically the matter so offered. If other matter in the <br />document would unnecessarily encumber the record, the document will not <br />be received in evidence, but at the discretion of the presiding officer, the <br />relevant and material matter may be read into the record or copies thereof <br />received as an exhibit. Other parties shall be afforded an opportunity to <br />examine the document and to offer in evidence other portions thereof <br />believed material and relevant. <br />(7) Exhibits. <br />(A) Form and Size - Exhibits shall be legible and may be prepared on <br />paper not exceeding 8-1/2" x 11" in size or bound or folded to the <br />respective approximate size, where practical. Wherever <br />practicable, sheets of each exhibit shall be numbered and data <br />and other figures shall be set forth in tabular form. <br />Page 14 <br />