Prehearing conferences

The hearing officer may order the parties to participate in a prehearing conference. Any party may request the hearing officer to hold a prehearing conference, but the decision to conduct a prehearing conference is the hearing officer's. The hearing officer will determine the method and manner in which the prehearing conference will be conducted. The purpose of the prehearing conference is to identify and simplify the issues to be decided, to determine whether the pleadings need amendment or clarification, to set a hearing date, to identify witnesses and exhibits, to obtain stipulations in regard to foundation for testimony and exhibits, to identify and stipulate to material facts not in dispute, and to consider such other matters that may foster the orderly and expeditious resolution of the issues. The prehearing conference will be informal, but the hearing officer may record the proceeding. Agreements, amendments, stipulations, or other matters appropriate for resolution through the prehearing conference may be reduced to writing, entered on the record, or made the subject of an order by the hearing officer. The hearing officer may require that proposed exhibits be exchanged at the prehearing conference, or otherwise prior to the hearing. Proposed exhibits not so exchanged may be denied admission as evidence.