1. (a) Appearance. In any contested case the hearings examiner on his or her own motion or on the motion of a party, may direct the parties, their attorneys or representatives to appear before him or her at a specified time and place for a conference prior to the hearing for the purpose of:

   1. (1) formulating issues;
   2. (2) simplifying issues;
   3. (3) discussing matters to be officially noticed;
   4. (4) discussing the possibility of making admissions of certain averments of fact or stipulations concerning the use by either or both parties of matters of public record, such as official records of the board to the end of avoiding the unnecessary introduction of proof;
   5. (5) ruling on any previously filed motions;
   6. (6) discussing the procedure at a hearing;
   7. (7) discussing the limitation, where possible, of the number of witnesses; and
   8. (8) discussing such other matters as may aid in the simplification of the proceedings.
2. (b) Order. Action taken at the conference shall be recorded in an appropriate order by the hearings examiner.

Source Note:The provisions of this §187.20 adopted to be effective January 5, 1988, 12 TexReg 4916.