Except as otherwise provided by this section or by rule or regulation of the Department, formal rules of evidence and trial procedures do not apply. On a genuine issue of fact, a party is entitled to:call witnesses; offer evidence, including rebuttal evidence; cross-examine any witness that another party or the Department calls; and present summation and argument. The Commissioner or hearing officer:may admit probative evidence that reasonable and prudent individuals commonly accept in the conduct of their affairs and give probative effect to that evidence; may not exclude evidence solely on the basis that it is hearsay; must give effect to a privilege recognized by law; may receive documentary evidence in the form of copies or excerpts or through incorporation by reference; may take official notice of a fact that is judicially noticeable or that is general, technical, or scientific and within the specialized knowledge of the Department; and may exclude evidence that is:incompetent; irrelevant; immaterial; or unduly repetitious. Ord. 99-548