Section B — General Limitations

(a) The protest committee shall first consider validity. The hearing shall be closed if (1) a protest or request is invalid, or (2) a protest was made under rule 60.4(c)(1) and there was no injury or serious damage. (b) The protest committee shall take the evidence of the parties present at the hearing, their witnesses, and any other evidence it considers necessary. Hearsay evidence is admissible. However, the protest committee may exclude evidence which is irrelevant or unduly repetitive. (c) A party present at the hearing may question any person who gives evidence. (d) A member of the protest committee who saw the incident shall, as soon as reasonably possible, declare this fact to the parties attending the hearing. (e) A witness shall be excluded from the hearing when not giving evidence, except for a witness who: (1) is also a party, or (2) is a member of the protest committee.