Authority and duties of hearing officer.

The hearing officer shall: 1. Call the hearing to order and note the appearances of the parties who are present; 2. Ascertain whether the persons commanded to appear under subpoena are present, and whether the documents, books, records and other evidence requested by subpoena are present in the hearing room; 3. Ascertain whether a copy of the notice of intended action or order to show cause, whichever is applicable, has been served on the appropriate parties; 4. Hold appropriate conferences before or during the hearing; 5. Rule on any procedural matter; 6. Rule on the admissibility of evidence and receive evidence; 7. Rule on the admissibility of any amendments to the order to show cause; 8. Act upon any pending motions, petitions or applications that do not involve a final determination of the proceeding; 9. Issue appropriate interim orders; 10. Recess or continue the hearing as necessary; 11. Set reasonable limitations on the time for presentation of oral testimony; 12. Administer the oath to all persons whose testimony will be taken; 13. Ascertain whether a party desires to have a witness excluded from the hearing room until the witness is called to testify; and 14. Make proposed findings of fact, opinions and conclusions of law.