CFR > Title 20 - Employees' Benefits > CHAPTER III—SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION > PART 498—CIVIL MONETARY PENALTIES, ASSESSMENTS AND RECOMMENDED EXCLUSIONS > 498.204—Authority of the administrative law judge.

498.204—Authority of the administrative law judge.

(a) The ALJ will conduct a fair and impartial hearing, avoid delay, maintain order and assure that a record of the proceeding is made.
(b) The ALJ has the authority to:
(1) Set and change the date, time, and place of the hearing upon reasonable notice to the parties;
(2) Continue or recess the hearing in whole or in part for a reasonable period of time;
(3) Hold conferences to identify or simplify the issues, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding;
(4) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(5) Issue subpoenas requiring the attendance of witnesses at hearings and the production of documents at or in relation to hearings;
(6) Rule on motions and other procedural matters;
(7) Regulate the scope and timing of documentary discovery as permitted by this part;
(8) Regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of representatives, parties, and witnesses;
(9) Examine witnesses;
(10) Receive, exclude, or limit evidence;
(11) Take official notice of facts;
(12) Upon motion of a party, decide cases, in whole or in part, by summary judgment where there is no disputed issue of material fact; and
(13) Conduct any conference or argument in person, or by telephone upon agreement of the parties.
(c) The ALJ does not have the authority to:
(1) Find invalid or refuse to follow Federal statutes or regulations, or delegations of authority from the Commissioner;
(2) Enter an order in the nature of a directed verdict;
(3) Compel settlement negotiations;
(4) Enjoin any act of the Commissioner or the Inspector General; or
(5) Review the exercise of discretion by the Office of the Inspector General to seek to impose a civil monetary penalty or assessment under §§ 498.100 through 498.132.

Code of Federal Regulations

[61 FR 65469, Dec. 13, 1996]