Authority of the Administrative Law Judge

The administrative law judge is authorized to:

(1) issue subpoenas;

(2) rule on requests;

(3) issue orders, including interlocutory orders;

(4) use summary procedures as provided by §142.8 of this chapter (relating to Summary Procedures);

(5) direct parties to appear at a prehearing conference to resolve evidentiary and procedural issues;

(6) establish time limits for conducting a hearing;

(7) administer oaths;

(8) rule on the admissibility of evidence;

(9) determine the relevancy, materiality, weight, and credibility of evidence;

(10) request additional evidence;

(11) take official notice of the law of Texas and other jurisdictions, Texas city and county ordinances, the contents of the Texas Register, the rule of state agencies, facts that are judicially cognizable, and generally recognized facts within the division's specialized knowledge;

(12) examine parties and witnesses, and permit examination and cross-examination of parties and witnesses;

(13) recess, postpone, or dismiss a hearing; and

(14) take any other action as authorized by law, or as may facilitate the orderly conduct and disposition of the hearing.