417.6—Powers of Administrative Law Judge.
The designated Administrative Law Judge shall have authority:
(g)
To hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties;
(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;
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terminate upon his filing of the record and his initial decision with the Assistant Secretary, or when he shall have withdrawn from the case upon considering himself disqualified, or upon termination of his authority by the Assistant Secretary for good cause stated.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.