(a) Convening. At any time before the hearing begins, the administrative law judge, on his/her own motion or on motion by a party, may direct the parties or their counsel to participate with him/her in a prehearing conference to consider the following:

1. (1) Simplification and clarification of the issues;
2. (2) Necessity or desirability of amending pleadings;
3. (3) Stipulations as to the facts and the contents and authenticity of documents;
4. (4) Issuance of and responses to subpoenas;
5. (5) Taking of depositions and the use of depositions in the proceedings;
6. (6) Orders for discovery, inspection and examination of premises, production of documents and other physical objects, and responses to such orders;
7. (7) Disclosure of the names and addresses of witnesses and the exchange of documents intended to be offered in evidence; and
8. (8) Any other matter that will tend to simplify the issues or expedite the proceedings.