(a) General. (1) The presiding officer has the authority to regulate the procedure in the hearing before him, and has authority to take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance of the duties assigned him. These include authority: (i) To hold hearings; (ii) to administer oaths and affirmations; (iii) to grant intervention; (iv) to accept any pleading; (v) to establish special rules of procedure appropriate to the effective handling of the particular proceeding; (vi) to examine witnesses; (vii) to issue subpoenas at the hearing; (viii) to dispose of requests for discovery; (ix) to hold conferences for the settlement and simplification of issues; (x) to rule on motions and dispose of procedural requests; (xi) to make initial decisions; (xii) to exclude any person from the hearing for contemptuous conduct; and (xiii) to take any other action authorized by this part, by the Administrative Procedure Act, or by the Interstate Commerce Act and related acts.

(2) The presiding officer has the authority: (i) To terminate examination or cross-examination of repetitious or cumulative nature; (ii) to limit direct examination to material matters; (iii) to limit cross-examination to disputed material facts; (iv) to require that principal examination or cross-examination be conducted by one or more counsel representing similar interests in proceedings where several parties are involved; (v) to set reasonable schedules for the presentation of witnesses; (vi) and to set reasonable time limits for the examination or cross-examination of witnesses. In order to enforce this paragraph, the officer may require a clear statement on the record of the nature of the testimony to be given by any witness.

(b) Motions to dismiss; amendments. (1) The presiding officer shall have power to decide any motion to dismiss the proceeding or other motion which involves final determination of the merits of the proceeding.

(2) The presiding officer may grant leave to amend any application or complaint.

(c) Preparation of the decision by the prevailing party. Any proceeding in which an oral hearing is held and in which the officer is able to announce his decision either:

(1) On the record after the close of the taking of testimony and the hearing of arguments by the officer, or

(2) By appropriate notification to the parties after the close of the hearing, may be made the subject of an initial decision prepared by a party or parties in whose favor the officer decides, within a period specified by the officer, and subject to such changes as the officer considers appropriate in the draft prepared for him.

(d) Recording; media coverage. The presiding officer shall have authority to permit or to refuse to permit the recording of the hearing by means of live or delayed television or radio broadcast, or the use of a tape recorder or other electronic or photographic equipment by any person other than the official reporter.