(a) Exercise of authority. Administrative judges may exercise authority as provided in paragraph (b) of this section upon their own initiative or upon the motion of a party, as appropriate.

(b) Authority. Administrative judges shall conduct fair and impartial hearings and take all necessary action to avoid delay in the disposition of all proceedings. They shall have all powers necessary to that end unless otherwise limited by law, including, but not limited to, the authority to:

(1) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(2) Issue subpoenas in accordance with § 28.46;

(3) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

(4) Rule upon discovery issues as appropriate under §§ 28.42 through 28.45;

(5) Convene a hearing as appropriate, regulate the course of the hearing, maintain decorum and exclude from the hearing any disruptive persons;

(6) Exclude from the hearing any witness, except the petitioner(s), whose later testimony might be colored by testimony of other witnesses, or any persons whose presence might have a chilling effect on a testifying witness;

(7) Rule on all motions, witness and exhibit lists and proposed findings;

(8) Require the filing of memoranda of law and the presentation of oral argument with respect to any question of law;

(9) Order the production of evidence and the appearance of witnesses whose testimony would be relevant, material and not repetitious;

(10) Impose sanctions as provided under § 28.24 of this part;

(11) Hold prehearing conferences for the settlement and simplification of issues; and

(12) Issue initial decisions, as appropriate.