Under what condition are members of the Commission allowed to communicate about the subject of a hearing?

Members of the Commission are permitted to communicate about the subject of a hearing when all parties agree. This condition ensures that any discussions about the hearing topic are transparent and involve consensus among all relevant participants, thus upholding the integrity of the hearing process. This agreement protects the fairness of proceedings, as it prevents bias or informational advantages that could arise from unilateral discussions.

In contrast, the other conditions either do not provide the necessary openness to all parties or could lead to interpretations that undermine fair process. For instance, communicating after the hearing concludes could potentially lead to issues regarding the finality of discussions related to evidence and arguments presented during the hearing. Writing-only communication could limit accessibility and transparency, while discussions that only take place in public might not accommodate private or sensitive information that needs careful handling. Thus, the requirement for agreement ensures a collaborative and fair dialogue among all parties involved.