When two or more hearings are to be held, and the same or
substantially similar evidence is relevant and material to the matters
at issue at each such hearing, the Chief Administrative Law Judge or the
administrative law judge assigned may, upon motion by any party or on
his or her own motion, order that a consolidated hearing be conducted.
Where consolidated hearings are held, a single record of the proceedings
may be made and the evidence introduced in one matter may be considered
as introduced in the others, and a separate or joint decision shall be
made, at the discretion of the administrative law judge as appropriate.