Are Independent Hearing Officers A Good Idea for Idaho’s Water?

Sponsored by the Idaho State Bar Water Law Section

Presented by McHugh Bromley Legal Education, LLC

Wednesday, November 5, 2025

8:30 am – 4:30 pm (MDT)

University of Idaho – Water Center, First Floor

322 E. Front St. - Boise

7.0 CLE credits including 1.0 Ethics

In Person attendance only*

Registration Fee:

Private Attorney                    $400

Government Attorney          $300

General Public                       $200

Students                                 $100

Agenda

8:30 am         Overview of the Issue

                        Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC                     

8:45 am         Idaho’s Office of Administrative Hearings, Ensuring Expertise and How to Keep Hearing Officers Independent and Without Bias.

                        Hon. Bryan A. Nickels, Office of Administrative Hearings

9:30 am         What Agencies in Idaho Require Independent Hearing Officers Outside of OAH and What is that Process?

                        Public Utilities Commission – Commissioner/Deputy AG- Invited

10:00 am       Break

10:15 am       Western States’ Case Studies – What Do Other States Do and What Are Their Ethical Rules for Hearing Officers?

                        Paul Simmons, Esq., Klamath Water Users Association, Retired - Oregon

                        Utah Division of Water Resources Invited - Utah

                        Jim Browitt, Browitt Law Office - Washington

                        Office of Administrative Hearings Invited - Montana

11:45 am       Lunch

12:15 pm      A Judicial Perspective - Do Independent Hearing Officers Do a Better Job Than In-House Hearing Officers?            

                        Justice Roger Burdick, Retired Chief Justice, Idaho Supreme Court

12:45 pm      How Does It Work Within IDWR & Code of Ethics Within the Agency

                        James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

1:15 pm         Perspectives on Independent Hearing Officers for Idaho’s Contested Cases On Water Issues

                        Moderator: Candice McHugh, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                        Panelists:

                        Thomas J. Budge, Racine Olson, PLLP

                        Christopher M. Bromley, McHugh Bromley, PLLC

                        Andy Waldera, Sawtooth Law Offices

                        James Cefalo, Idaho Department of Water Resources

2:15 pm         Summary of Proposed Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

2:30 pm         Small Group/Leader Led Discussions on What We’ve Learned Today – Revisions or Thoughts on Draft Legislation or Changes Within the Agency

3:15 pm         Report from Small Groups

                        Reasons Why We Should Change to Independent HO or OAH

                        Reasons Why We Should Keep Contested Matters within the Agency

4:00 pm         Next Steps/Recommendations Summary

4:30 pm         Program Concludes

*A recording will be made and available on demand after the program.