TITLE 1: GOVERNMENT
DIVISION 9: MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
§ 9710. Fact-Finder. (a) If either party, by written notice to the other party and the officer, requests that matters in dispute be submitted to a fact-finder for recommendations, initiation of fact-finding proceedings shall commence. (b) The officer shall provide the parties with a list of five persons qualified to serve as the neutral fact-finder. The parties shall without delay attempt to agree upon a fact-finder from the list provided or to agree upon some other person as a fact-finder. If, after seven days following the issuance of the list, the parties fail to agree upon a fact-finder, the officer shall appoint a fact-finder. The fact-finder so appointed shall not be the mediator appointed in the dispute. (c) The fact-finder shall promptly establish a date, time, and place to meet with the representatives of the parties and shall provide reasonable notice of the meeting to the parties to the dispute. The fact-finder shall make inquiries and investigations, hold hearings, and take such other steps as deemed appropriate. The fact-finder may issue subpoenas requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and production of evidence. (d) The fact-finder shall, within 15 days following the conclusion of the hearing, make written findings of fact and written recommendations to the parties as to how their dispute should be resolved. A copy shall be delivered or mailed by certified mail to each of the parties of the dispute. A copy shall be filed with the officer. (e) The findings and recommendations of the fact-finder are advisory only. Source: PL 7-43, § 5, modified.