<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".15" citation="COMAR 02.01.02.15" title_num="02" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="02" heading="Powers and Duties of the Individual Conducting Hearing.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Duties of the Chief. In hearings before the Chief, the Chief shall:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Conduct a full, fair, and impartial hearing;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Take action to avoid unnecessary delay in the disposition of the proceeding; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Maintain order.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Powers of the Chief. In hearings before the Chief, the Chief has the power to regulate the course of the hearing and the conduct of the parties and authorized representatives, including the power to:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Administer oaths and affirmations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Issue subpoenas for witnesses and the production of evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant and material evidence;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Consider and rule upon motions;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Admit affidavits and other hearsay as evidence, unless there are nonhearsay reasons why the evidence should be excluded;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Examine and call witnesses as necessary to ensure a full and complete record;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Limit unduly repetitious testimony and reasonably limit the time for presentations;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Grant a continuance or postponement;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Modify or waive, reasonably, any time periods established by this chapter;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Request parties to submit legal memoranda and proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(11)">
      <text>Make proposed or final decisions, as authorized, and take any other appropriate actions authorized by law;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(12)">
      <text>Issue orders necessary to secure procedural simplicity and administrative fairness, and to eliminate unjustifiable expense and delay;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(13)">
      <text>Conduct the hearing in a manner suited to ascertain the facts and safeguard the rights of the parties to the hearing; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(14)">
      <text>Impose appropriate sanctions for failure to abide by these regulations or any lawful order of the individual conducting the hearing.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>COMAR 28.02.01.11 governs the powers and duties of the Judge in hearings delegated to the Office.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>