As soon as practicable after the filing of the complaint, the Director of the Office of Adjudication will assign a hearing officer to preside over the matter. The hearing officer may—

1. (a) Give notice concerning, and hold, prehearing conferences and hearings;
2. (b) Administer oaths and affirmations;
3. (c) Examine witnesses;
4. (d) Adopt procedures for the submission of evidence in written form;
5. (e) Issue subpoenas;
6. (f) Rule on offers of proof;
7. (g) Receive evidence;
8. (h) Regulate the course of proceedings, including but not limited to discovery, motions practice, imposition of sanctions, and the hearing;
9. (i) Hold conferences, before and during the hearing, to settle and simplify issues by consent of the parties;
10. (j) Dispose of procedural requests and similar matters;
11. (k) Issue protective orders governing the exchange and safekeeping of information otherwise protected by law, except that national security information may not be disclosed under such an order;
12. (l) Issue orders and decisions, and make findings of fact, as appropriate; and
13. (m) Take any other action authorized by this subpart.