Section 785.11 - Prehearing conference(a) On the ALJ's own motion, or on request of a party, the ALJ may direct the parties to participate in a prehearing conference, either in person or by telephone, to consider:(1) Simplification of issues;(2) The necessity or desirability of amendments to pleadings;(3) Obtaining stipulations of fact and of documents to avoid unnecessary proof; or(4) Such other matters as may expedite the disposition of the proceedings.(b) The ALJ may order the conference proceedings to be recorded electronically or taken by a reporter, transcribed and filed with the ALJ.(c) If a prehearing conference is impracticable, the ALJ may direct the parties to correspond with the ALJ to achieve the purposes of such a conference.(d) The ALJ will prepare a summary of any actions agreed on or taken pursuant to this section. The summary will include any written stipulations or agreements made by the parties.