(a) The hearing officer may convene a prehearing conference to set a time and place for the hearing, and for stipulation as to matters of fact and to simplify issues, identify and schedule prehearing matters, and resolve other similar matters before the hearing.

(b) The hearing officer may administer oaths, hold hearings, and take testimony. Upon application by a party to the hearing, the hearing officer may issue subpoenas under AS 39.52.380.

(c) The attorney general shall present the charges before the hearing officer. At a hearing, the attorney general has the burden of demonstrating by a preponderance of the evidence that the subject of the accusation has, by act or omission, violated this chapter.

(d) The parties to a hearing are the attorney general and the subject of the accusation. The subject of an accusation may be represented by counsel. Each party has an opportunity to be heard and cross-examine witnesses, who shall testify under oath.

(e) The Administrative Procedure Act does not apply to hearings under this section, except as provided in AS 39.52.380.

(f) Technical rules of evidence do not apply, but the hearing officer's findings must be based upon reliable and relevant evidence. All testimony and other evidence taken at the hearing must be recorded and the evidence maintained. Copies of transcripts of the hearing record are available to the subject of the accusation at the subject's expense; however, upon request, a copy of the recording of the hearing must be furnished without charge to the subject of the accusation.

(g) At the conclusion of the formal hearing, the hearing officer may direct either or both parties to submit proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation to be filed within 10 days after the conclusion of the hearing.

(h) Within 30 days after the conclusion of a formal hearing, the hearing officer shall serve a written report on the personnel board and the parties, unless the personnel board grants an extension of time. The report must contain the officer's findings of fact, conclusions of law, and recommendation. The hearing officer shall submit the record to the personnel board.