Powers of presiding officers.

The presiding officer may: (a) Administer oaths and affirmations; (b) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence; (c) Fix the time and place of hearing; (d) Regulate the course of the hearing; (e) Exclude any person from the hearing for contumacious conduct or misbehavior that obstructs the hearing; (f) Hold conferences for simplification of the issues, or for any other purpose; (g) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters; (h) Authorize the filing of briefs and set the time for filing; (i) Make initial decisions; and (j) Take any other action in the course of the proceeding consistent with the purposes of this subpart.