1. (a) In any appeal, the hearings examiner or a party may move for the setting of a prehearing conference. The hearings examiner shall direct the parties to appear, either in person or by telephone, at a specific time for a conference prior to a hearing on the merits for the purposes of considering any of the following:

   1. (1) the formulation or simplification of issues;
   2. (2) admission of certain assertions of fact or stipulations;
   3. (3) the procedure at the hearing on the merits;
   4. (4) any limitation, where possible, of the number of witnesses; and/or
   5. (5) such other matters as may aid in the simplification of the proceeding or the disposition of matters in controversy, including the settlement of matters in dispute.
2. (b) Action taken at the conference shall be recorded in the manner directed by the hearings examiner.

Source Note:The provisions of this §157.1053 adopted to be effective April 7, 1993, 18 TexReg 1928.