1. (a)

   1. (1) A pre-hearing conference may be convened by the ALJ if the ALJ thinks that such a conference would be useful, or if requested by—

      1. (i) The designated Department official; or
      2. (ii) The IHE.
   2. (2) The purpose of a pre-hearing conference is to allow the parties to settle, narrow, or clarify the dispute.

2. (b) A pre-hearing conference may consist of—

   1. (1) A conference telephone call;
   2. (2) An informal meeting; or

   3. (3) The submission and exchange of written material.

      (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1145g)

[55 FR 33581, Aug. 16, 1990, as amended at 61 FR 66225, Dec. 17, 1996]