831.1107—Powers of presiding officers.
The presiding officer may:
(a)
Administer oaths and affirmations;
(b)
Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(c)
Fix the time and place of hearing;
(d)
Regulate the course of the hearing;
(e)
Exclude any person from the hearing for contumacious conduct or misbehavior that obstructs the hearing;
(f)
Hold conferences for simplification of the issues, or for any other purpose;
(g)
Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;
(h)
Authorize the filing of briefs and set the time for filing;
(i)
Make initial decisions; and
(j)
Take any other action in the course of the proceeding consistent with the purposes of this subpart.