The presiding officer may:

(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(b) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

(c) Fix the time and place of hearing;

(d) Regulate the course of the hearing;

(e) Exclude any person from the hearing for contumacious conduct or misbehavior that obstructs the hearing;

(f) Hold conferences for simplification of the issues, or for any other purpose;

(g) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;

(h) Authorize the filing of briefs and set the time for filing;

(i) Make initial decisions; and

(j) Take any other action in the course of the proceeding consistent with the purposes of this subpart.