New York Consolidated Laws, Executive Law - EXC § 885. Consolidated hearings

1. Any applicant for permits required for a business undertaking, project, or activity, or any state agency having jurisdiction of the required permits, may request the office to coordinate any public hearings.  The office may consolidate such hearings insofar as may be feasible.

2. A consolidated hearing shall be conducted in a manner consistent with the state administrative procedure act.  The director or his designee shall be the presiding officer and shall establish an agenda for, and regulate, the course of the hearing.  A representative of each state agency within whose jurisdiction a specific application lies shall conduct that portion of the hearing pertaining to the submission of information and data relating to such application.  The hearing may be continued by the presiding officer when appropriate and shall be recorded in a suitable manner.

3. The office, with the consent of the state agencies having permit jurisdiction, may provide for a pre-hearing conference to assist in the disposition of the type, time, place, and parties of the consolidated hearing, the simplification of the issues, the stipulations as to agreed facts and necessary documents, and any other relevant matters.