(2) The board may defray the costs and expenses of the hearing by assessing, in its final order, all or a portion of the costs and expenses of the hearing to a party to the hearing. [1987 c.775 §2; 1989 c.171 §85; 1989 c.293 §1; 1993 c.741 §112a; 1993 c.796 §6; 1999 c.849 §§178,179; 2003 c.75 §63; 2003 c.619 §2; 2007 c.288 §17]