(a) On motion of a party or by order of an administrative law judge, the administrative law judge may conduct a prehearing conference. The administrative law judge shall set the time and place for the prehearing conference, and shall give reasonable written notice to all parties.
(b) The prehearing conference may deal with one or more of the following matters:
(1) Exploration of settlement possibilities.
(2) Preparation of stipulations.
(3) Clarification of issues.
(4) Rulings on identity and limitation of the number of witnesses.
(5) Objections to proffers of evidence.
(6) Order of presentation of evidence and cross-examination.
(7) Rulings regarding issuance of subpoenas and protective orders.
(8) Schedules for the submission of written briefs and schedules for the commencement and conduct of the hearing.
(9) Exchange of witness lists and of exhibits or documents to be offered in evidence at the hearing.
(10) Motions for intervention.
(11) Exploration of the possibility of using alternative dispute resolution provided in Article 5 (commencing with Section 11420.10) of, or the informal hearing procedure provided in Article 10 (commencing with Section 11445.10) of, Chapter 4.5, and objections to use of the informal hearing procedure. Use of alternative dispute resolution or of the informal hearing procedure is subject to subdivision (d).
(12) Any other matters as shall promote the orderly and prompt conduct of the hearing.
(c) The administrative law judge may conduct all or part of the prehearing conference by telephone, television, or other electronic means if each participant in the conference has an opportunity to participate in and to hear the entire proceeding while it is taking place.
(d) With the consent of the parties, the prehearing conference may be converted immediately into alternative dispute resolution or an informal hearing. With the consent of the parties, the proceeding may be converted into alternative dispute resolution to be conducted at another time. With the consent of the agency, the proceeding may be converted into an informal hearing to be conducted at another time subject to the right of a party to object to use of the informal hearing procedure as provided in Section 11445.30.
(e) The administrative law judge shall issue a prehearing order incorporating the matters determined at the prehearing conference. The administrative law judge may direct one or more of the parties to prepare a prehearing order.
(Amended by Stats. 1995, Ch. 938, Sec. 37. Effective January 1, 1996. Operative July 1, 1997, by Sec. 98 of Ch. 938.)