(a)The executive director shall employ administrative law judges to make valuations of public utility properties, or to estimate proper rates of service of public utilities, or to examine other questions coming before the Commission, by taking testimony or by independent investigation. The executive director shall designate one administrative law judge to serve as chief administrative law judge who shall be responsible for supervising and directing the activities of all administrative law judges, subject to the approval of the executive director. Administrative law judges shall, under the direction of the chief administrative law judge, take testimony of witnesses, examine accounts, records, books, papers and physical properties, either by holding hearings or making independent investigat
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(a) The executive director shall employ administrative law judges to make valuations of public utility properties, or to estimate proper rates of service of public utilities, or to examine other questions coming before the Commission, by taking testimony or by independent investigation. The executive director shall designate one administrative law judge to serve as chief administrative law judge who shall be responsible for supervising and directing the activities of all administrative law judges, subject to the approval of the executive director. Administrative law judges shall, under the direction of the chief administrative law judge, take testimony of witnesses, examine accounts, records, books, papers and physical properties, either by holding hearings or making independent investigations, in any matter referred to them by the chief administrative law judge; and make report thereof to the chief administrative law judge, and attend at hearings before the Commission when so directed by the chief administrative law judge, for the purpose of explaining their investigations and the result thereof to the Commission and the parties interested; and perform such other duties as the chief administrative law judge may direct. (b) All administrative law judges employed by the Commission shall be thoroughly familiar with applicable rules of evidence, procedure and administrative law. At least every two years after an administrative law judge is employed by the Commission, the executive director and chief administrative law judge shall review the performance of such administrative law judge based on whether the administrative law judge: (i) is, and is perceived to be, fair to all parties; (ii) has a judicious and considerate temperament; (iii) is capable of comprehending and properly conducting proceedings and other duties to which he is assigned; (iv) is capable of understanding and rendering rulings on legal and evidentiary issues; (v) is capable of independently evaluating the evidentiary record and drafting a proposed final order which reflects careful, impartial and competent analysis; and (vi) meets any other qualifications deemed relevant or necessary by the executive director or chief administrative law judge.