§ 2.1320 Responsibility and power of the Presiding Officer in an oral hearing.

(a) The Presiding Officer in any oral hearing shall conduct a fair hearing, develop a record that will contribute to informed decisionmaking, and, within the framework of the Commission's orders, have the power necessary to achieve these ends, including the power to: (1) Take action to avoid unnecessary delay and maintain order; (2) Dispose of procedural requests; (3) Question participants and witnesses, and entertain suggestions as to questions which may be asked of participants and witnesses. (4) Order consolidation of participants; (5) Establish the order of presentation; (6) Hold conferences before or during the hearing; (7) Establish time limits; (8) Limit the number of witnesses; and (9) Strike or reject duplicative, unreliable, immaterial, or irrelevant presentations. (b) Where the Commission itself does not preside: (1) The Presiding Officer may certify questions or refer rulings to the Commission for decision; (2) Any hearing order may be modified by the Commission; and (3) The Presiding Officer will certify the completed hearing record to the Commission, which may then issue its decision on the hearing or provide that additional testimony be presented.