(a) Public. Hearings shall be open to the public. However, in
unusual circumstances, the administrative law judge may order a hearing
or any part thereof closed, where to do so would be in the best
interests of the parties, a witness, the public or other affected
persons. Any order closing the hearing shall set forth the reasons for
the decision. Any objections thereto shall be made a part of the record.
(b) Jurisdiction. The administrative law judge shall have
jurisdiction to decide all issues of fact and related issues of law.
(c) Amendments to conform to the evidence. When issues not raised by
the request for hearing, prehearing stipulation, or prehearing order are
tried by express or implied consent of the parties, they shall be
treated in all respects as if they had been raised in the pleadings.
Such amendment of the pleadings as may be necessary to cause them to
conform to the evidence may be made on motion of any party at any time;
but failure to so amend does not affect the result of the hearing of
these issues. The administrative law judge may grant a continuance to
enable the objecting party to meet such evidence.
