§ 304. Powers of presiding officers. Except as otherwise provided by statute, presiding officers are authorized to:

1. Administer oaths and affirmations.

2. Sign and issue subpoenas in the name of the agency, at the request of any party, requiring attendance and giving of testimony by witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents and other evidence and said subpoenas shall be regulated by the civil practice law and rules. Nothing herein contained shall affect the authority of an attorney for a party to issue such subpoenas under the provisions of the civil practice law and rules.

3. Provide for the taking of testimony by deposition.

4. Regulate the course of the hearings, set the time and place for continued hearings, and fix the time for filing of briefs and other documents.

5. Direct the parties to appear and confer to consider the simplification of the issues by consent of the parties.

6. Recommend to the agency that a stay be granted in accordance with section three hundred four, three hundred six or three hundred seven of the military law.