As soon as practicable after the filing of the complaint, the Director of the Office of Adjudication will assign a hearing officer to preside over the matter. The hearing officer may -
(a) Give notice concerning, and hold, prehearing conferences and hearings;
(b) Administer oaths and affirmations;
(c) Examine witnesses;
(d) Adopt procedures for the submission of evidence in written form;
(e) Issue subpoenas;
(f) Rule on offers of proof;
(g) Receive evidence;
(h) Regulate the course of proceedings, including but not limited to discovery, motions practice, imposition of sanctions, and 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;
(k) Issue protective orders governing the exchange and safekeeping of information otherwise protected by law, except that national security information may not be disclosed under such an order;
(l) Issue orders and decisions, and make findings of fact, as appropriate; and
(m) Take any other action authorized by this subpart.