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.