Formula Grant Programs (DDC and P&A)
Sec. 1386.101 Authority of presiding officer.
(a) The presiding officer has the duty to conduct a fair hearing, avoid delay, maintain order, and make a record of the proceedings. The presiding officer has all powers necessary to accomplish these ends, including, but not limited to, the power to:
(1) Change the date, time, and place of the hearing, upon notice to the Parties. This includes the power to continue the hearing in whole or in Part;
(2) Hold conferences to settle or simplify the issues in a proceeding, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceedings;
(3) Regulate Participation of Parties and amici curiae and require Parties and amici curiae to state their positions with respect to the issues in the proceeding;
(4) Administer oaths and affirmations,
(5) Rule on motions and other procedural items on matters pending before him or her, including issuance of protective orders or other relief to a Party against whom discovery is sought;
(6) Regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of counsel therein;
(7) Examine witnesses;
(8) Receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence or discovery;
(9) Fix for the time for filing motions, petitions, briefs, or other items in matters pending before him or her,
(10) If the presiding officer is the Assistant Secretary, make a final decision;
(11) If the presiding officer is a person other than the Assistant Secretary, he or she shall certify the entire record, including recommended findings and proposed decision, to the Assistant Secretary;
(12) Take any action authorized by the rules in the Subpart or 5 U.S.C. 551-559; and
(b) The presiding officer does not have authority to compel the production of witnesses, papers, or other evidence by subpoena.
(c) If the presiding officer is a person other than the Assistant Secretary, his or her authority is to render a recommended decision with respect to program requirements which are to be considered at the hearing. In case of any noncompliance, he or she shall recommend whether payments or allotments should be withheld with respect to the entire State plan or the activities of the State's Protection and Advocacy System, or whether the payments or allotments should be withheld only with respect to those Parts of the program affected by such noncompliance.
[49 FR 11779, Mar. 27, 1984, as amended at 61 FR 51162, Sept. 30, 1996]