§ 26.2 Hearing officer, powers, and duties.

(a) Hearing officer. Proceedings conducted under these rules shall be presided over by a hearing officer who shall be an Administrative Law Judge or Administrative Judge authorized by the Secretary or designee to conduct proceedings under this part. (b) Time and place of hearing. The hearing officer shall set the time and place of any hearing and shall give reasonable notice to the parties. (c) Powers of hearing officers. The hearing officer shall conduct a fair and impartial hearing and take all action necessary to avoid delay in the disposition of proceedings and to maintain order. The hearing officer shall have all powers necessary to those ends, including, but not limited to, the power: (1) To administer oaths and affirmations; (2) To cause subpoenas to be issued as authorized by law; (3) To rule upon offers of proof and receive evidence; (4) To order or limit discovery as the interests of justice may require; (5) To regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of the parties and their counsel; (6) To hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties; (7) To consider and rule upon all procedural and other motions appropriate in adjudicative proceedings; (8) To take notice of any material fact not appearing in evidence in the record that is properly a matter of judicial notice; (9) To make and file determinations; and (10) To exercise such other authority as is necessary to carry out the responsibilities of the hearing officer under subpart A of this part.