§ 1955.12 Administrative law judge; powers and duties.

(a) The administrative law judge appointed under 5 U.S.C. 3105 and designated by the Chief Administrative Law Judge to preside over a proceeding shall have all powers necessary and appropriate to conduct a fair, full, and impartial proceeding, including the following:

(1) To administer oaths and affirmations;

(2) To rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

(3) To provide for discovery, including the issuance of subpoenas authorized by section 8(b) of the Act and 5 U.S.C. 555(d) and 556(c)(2), and to determine the scope and time limits of the discovery;

(4) To regulate the course of the proceeding and the conduct of the parties and their counsel;

(5) To consider and rule upon procedural requests, e.g. motions for extension of time;

(6) To hold preliminary conferences for the settlement or simplification of issues;

(7) To take official notice of material facts not appearing in the evidence in the record in accordance with § 1955.40(c);

(8) To render an initial decision;

(9) To examine and cross-examine witnesses;

(10) To take any other appropriate action authorized by the Act, the implementing regulations, or the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 554-557 (hereinafter called the APA).

(b) On any procedural question not otherwise regulated by this part, the Act, or the APA, the administrative law judge shall be guided to the extent practicable by the pertinent provisions of the Federal Rules of Civil Procedure.