Participation by local governing body in hearing for certificate of need application

At a hearing conducted by the commission for a certificate of need application, if a local governing body requests to participate in the hearing, then the officials of the local governing body may appear before the commission and express support or opposition to the granting of a certificate of need to the applicant. The testimony of such officials is informational and advisory to the commission, and the support of the local governing body is not a requirement for the granting of a certificate of need by the commission.