The designated Administrative Law Judge shall have authority:
(a) To give notice concerning and to conduct hearings;
(b) To administer oaths and affirmations;
(c) To issue subpoenas;
(d) To rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(e) To take or cause depositions to be taken whenever the ends of
justice would be served thereby;
(f) To regulate the course of the hearing;
(g) To hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the
issues by consent of the parties;
(h) To dispose of procedural requests or other matters;
(i) To limit the number of witnesses at hearings, or limit or
exclude evidence or testimony which may be irrelevant, immaterial, or
cumulative;
(j) If appropriate or necessary to exclude persons or counsel from
participation in hearings for refusing any proper request for
information or documentary evidence, or for contumacious conduct;
(k) To grant continuances or reschedule hearings for good cause
shown;
(l) To consider and decide procedural matters;
(m) To take any other actions authorized by the regulations in this
part.
The Administrative Law Judge's authority in the case shall terminate
upon his filing of the record and his initial decision with the
Assistant Secretary, or when he shall have withdrawn from the case upon
considering himself disqualified, or upon termination of his authority
by the Assistant Secretary for good cause stated. However, the
Administrative Law Judge's authority may be reinstated upon referral of
some or all the issues by the Assistant Secretary for rehearing. This
authority will terminate upon certification of the rehearing record to
the Assistant Secretary.
