[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2005]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR15.95]

[Page 376]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
PART 15_NONDISCRIMINATION--Table of Contents
 
 Subpart C_Rules of Practice and Procedure for Hearings, Decisions and 
        Administrative Review Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964
 
Sec. 15.95  Responsibilities and duties of hearing officer.

    The hearing officer shall have the duty to conduct a fair hearing, 
to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. He 
shall have all powers necessary to these ends, including (but not 
limited to) the power to:
    (a) Arrange and issue notice of the date, time and place of 
hearings, or, upon due notice to the parties, to change the date, time 
and place of hearings previously set.
    (b) Hold conferences to settle, simplify, or fix the issues in a 
proceeding, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious 
disposition of the proceeding.
    (c) Require parties and interveners to state their position with 
respect to the various issues in the proceeding.
    (d) Administer oaths and affirmations.
    (e) Rule on motions, and other procedural items on matters pending 
before him.
    (f) Regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of parties 
therein.
    (g) Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify.
    (h) Receive, rule on, exclude or limit evidence.
    (i) Fix the time for filing motions, petitions, briefs, or other 
items in matters pending before him.
    (j) In accordance with his authority issue an initial decision, or 
recommended findings and proposed decision, or final decision.
    (k) Take any other action a hearing officer is authorized to take 
under these rules or subpart A of this part.

                                 Motions