Any Hearing Officer may --

(a) Give notice concerning, and hold, prehearing conferences and hearings;

(b) Administrator oaths and affirmations;

(c) Examine witnesses;

(d) Adopt procedures for the submission of evidence in written form;

(e) Issue subpoenas and take depositions or cause them to be taken;

(f) Rule on offers of proof;

(g) Receive evidence;

(h) Regulate the course of the hearing;

(i) Hold conferences, before and during the hearing, to settle and simplify issues by consent of the parties;

(j) Dispose of procedural requests and similar matters; and