§ 2.1320 - Responsibility and power of the Presiding Officer in an oral hearing.

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The Presiding Officer in any oral hearing shall conduct a fair hearing, develop a record that will contribute to informed decisionmaking, and, within the framework of the Commission's orders, have the power necessary to achieve these ends, including the power to:

Take action to avoid unnecessary delay and maintain order;

Dispose of procedural requests;

Question participants and witnesses, and entertain suggestions as to questions which may be asked of participants and witnesses.

Order consolidation of participants;

Establish the order of presentation;

Hold conferences before or during the hearing;

Establish time limits;

Limit the number of witnesses; and

Strike or reject duplicative, unreliable, immaterial, or irrelevant presentations.

Where the Commission itself does not preside:

The Presiding Officer may certify questions or refer rulings to the Commission for decision;

Any hearing order may be modified by the Commission; and

The Presiding Officer will certify the completed hearing record to the Commission, which may then issue its decision on the hearing or provide that additional testimony be presented.