(b)

1. (1) In order to make a more effective use of hearing time in formal proceedings and to expedite the orderly conduct and disposition of the proceedings, the administrative law judge shall set a date in the complete petition calendar for at least one prehearing conference between the parties. The parties attending a prehearing conference shall consider, but not be limited to the consideration of, all of the following:

   1. (A) Simplifying and clarifying the issues and eliminating irrelevant or immaterial issues.
   2. (B) Obtaining stipulations as to facts, authenticity of documents, admissibility of evidence, and other evidentiary matters.
   3. (C) The use of other aids to the orderly conduct and disposition of the proceeding as may be possible.
2. (2) This section does not preclude any party from calling or holding off-calendar conferences by agreement or stipulation. If a conference is called before the hearing, or if the hearing is recessed for a conference, and the conference yields an outcome of substance, the administrative law judge shall state on the record the results of the conference.

(d)

1. (1) The administrative law judge shall set dates in the complete petition calendar for the parties to file proposed written testimony, witness lists, and proposed exhibits with the administrative law judge on a date before the hearing, reserving rights of cross-examination at the hearing.
2. (2) Any objections to the prefiled testimony, witnesses, or proposed exhibits shall be lodged with the administrative law judge at a prehearing date set in the complete petition calendar, and shall be resolved by the administrative law judge at the commencement of the hearing.
3. (3) When a party fails to file any written testimony, witness list, or proposed exhibit for the rate hearing, or objections to the prefiled testimony, witnesses, or proposed exhibits for the rate hearing, within the time specified by the complete petition calendar, the late filing may be accepted if the administrative law judge determines that there was good cause for failure to file within the required time. For purposes of this section, “good cause” exists when a failure to file arises from an excusable mistake, surprise, excusable neglect, or reasonable reliance on the statement of the administrative law judge, or from fraud, misrepresentation, or other misconduct by a party participating in the proceeding.

(h)

1. (1) For all petitions contested by an intervenor, the complete petition calendar shall require a final order and tariff to be published no later than 240 days from the date of petition filing established pursuant to Section 1268 if there is no rereferral under Section 1279.
2. (2) For all petitions that are either uncontested by an intervenor or a joint submission that is not subject to any further requests to intervene by a party opposed to the petition, the complete petition calendar shall require that an expedited hearing date is set and a final order and tariff are published no later than 120 days from the date of petition filing established pursuant to Section 1268 if there is no rereferral under Section 1279.