<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".22" citation="COMAR 26.01.02.22" title_num="26" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="02" heading="Prehearing Conference.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>The hearing examiner may hold a prehearing conference to enable the parties to discuss settlement, enter into stipulations, narrow the issues to be litigated, and to resolve other matters preliminary to the hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>A scheduled hearing will not ordinarily be postponed to allow the parties to have a prehearing conference.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Upon request of a party, the hearing examiner may order that each party make available to the other parties the names and written reports of experts and other witnesses the party expects to call.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Unless permitted by the hearing examiner, persons other than parties may not attend the prehearing conferences.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="E.">
    <text>At the prehearing conference the following matters may be addressed:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Stipulations and admissions of facts, the genuineness of documents, and other matters upon which there is no dispute;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Matters of which official notice may be taken;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>When possible, determinations regarding the admissibility of any written documents, papers, exhibits, testimony, or materials proposed to be introduced at the hearing by each party;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>A proposed schedule of order for the following:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Submission of written briefs,</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Order of presentation, and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Presentation of oral arguments;</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Settlement possibilities;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Determinations regarding the identity and limitations of the number of witnesses; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Rulings regarding issuance of subpoenas, discovery orders, and protective orders.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="F.">
    <text>The hearing examiner may also consider such other matters as will promote the orderly and prompt conduct of the hearing.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="G.">
    <text>At the discretion of the hearing examiner all or part of the prehearing conference may be conducted by telephone, television, or other electronic means, provided that each participant in the prehearing conference has an opportunity to participate, to hear, and to object.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="H.">
    <text>The hearing examiner may prepare a written order reciting the actions taken or to be taken with regard to each of the matters in §E, of this regulation, and this order shall become a part of the record of the case.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="I.">
    <text>If a prehearing conference is not held, the hearing examiner may issue a prehearing order to regulate the conduct of the proceedings.</text>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>