(1)The Examining authority must fix, and cause the interested parties to be informed of, the deadline by which an interested party must notify the [F1Secretary of State] of the party's wish to be heard at an open-floor hearing.

(2)If the [F1Secretary of State] receives notification from at least one interested party before the deadline, the Examining authority must cause an open-floor hearing to be held.

(3)At an open-floor hearing, each interested party is entitled (subject to the Examining authority's powers of control over the conduct of the hearing) to make oral representations about the application.