Section 3730.210  Authority of Hearing Officer

The Hearing Officer shall have the duty to conduct a fair and impartial hearing, to take all necessary action to avoid delay, to maintain order, and to ensure development of a clear and complete record.  He shall have all powers necessary to these ends including (but not limited to) the power to:

a)         require, when appropriate, all parties to state their position with respect to any proposal, application, petition, or complaint;

b)         administer oaths and affirmations;

c)         examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify;

d)         regulate the course of the hearing;

e)         limit the number of times any witness may testify, limit repetitious or cumulative testimony, and establish reasonable limits on the amount of time each witness may testify;

f)         to issue discovery orders pursuant to Section 3730.208;

g)         to issue subpoenas pursuant to Section 3730.212;

h)         conduct hearings and prehearing conferences;

i)          rule or reserve ruling on the admissibility of evidence and amendments to pleadings;

j)          continue a hearing from day to day or adjourn it to a later date by announcement thereof at the hearing or by appropriate notice thereof to all parties; and

k)         direct parties to enter their appearances on the record.