§ 771.97 Powers.

Administrative law judges shall have authority to:

  1. a.(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;

  2. b.(b) Issue subpoenas as authorized by law;

  3. c.(c) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

  4. d.(d) Take or cause depositions to be taken whenever the ends of justice would be served thereby;

  5. e.(e) Regulate the course of the hearing;

  6. f.(f) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties;

  7. g.(g) Require the attendance at such conferences of at least one representative of each party who has the authority to negotiate concerning resolution of issues in controversy;

  8. h.(h) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;

  9. i.(i) Render recommended decisions in proceedings on applications for licenses and permits and on revocation or denial of renewal of licenses or permits;

  10. j.(j) Call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, including hostile or adverse witnesses, when the administrative law judge deems such action to be necessary to a just disposition of the case, and introduce into the record documentary or other evidence; and

  11. k.(k) Take any other action authorized by rule of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. See 5 U.S.C. 556(c) and 18 U.S.C. 843.