1. (a) The ALJ has broad authority to issue orders to regulate the conduct of the proceeding, rule on motions, establishing deadlines, clarifying the scope of the proceeding, scheduling and conducting prehearing or posthearing conferences for any purpose related to any matter in the case, setting out additional requirements for participation in the case, and taking any other steps conducive to a fair and efficient process.
2. (b) Rulings on matters related to the case not made orally at a recorded prehearing conference or at a hearing shall be in writing and furnished to all parties of record.
3. (c) The ALJ may order the consolidation of dockets or joint hearing on dockets if there are common issues of law and fact, and if consolidation or a joint hearing will aid the fair and efficient handling of contested matters. The ALJ may also order severance of issues if separate hearings on such issues will aid the fair and efficient handling of contested matters.
4. (d) The ALJ may order referral of the case to a mediated settlement conference or other appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedure as provided by the Government Code, Chapter 2008, and Government Code, Chapter 2003.
5. (e) Where authorized by law, the ALJ may issue a final order resolving the contested issues in a case and ruling on all requests for relief.

Source Note:The provisions of this §281.31 adopted to be effective December 30, 1998, 23 TexReg 13073.