Section 31-376-36 - Duties and powers of hearing officersIt shall be the duty of the Hearing Officer to conduct a fair and impartial hearing, to assure that the facts are fully elicited, to adjudicate all issues and avoid delay. The Hearing Officer shall have authority with respect to cases assigned to him, between the time he is designated and the time he issues his decision, subject to the rules and regulations of the Commission, to:
(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;(b) Issue authorized subpoenas;(c) Rule upon petitions to revoke subpoenas;(d) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;(e) Take or cause depositions to be taken whenever the needs of justice would be served;(f) Regulate the course of the hearing and, if appropriate or necessary, exclude persons or counsel from the hearing for contemptuous conduct and strike all related testimony of witnesses refusing to answer any proper questions;(g) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues;(h) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters, including motions referred to the Hearing Officer by the Commission and motions to amend pleadings; also to dismiss complaints or portions thereof, and to order hearings reopened or, upon motion, consolidated prior to issuance of his decision;(i) Make decisions in conformity with pertinent Connecticut codes.(j) Call and examine witnesses and to introduce into the record documentary or other evidence;(k) Request the parties at any time during the hearing to state their respective positions, concerning any issue in the case or theory in support thereof;(l) Adjourn the hearing as the needs of justice and good administration require;(m) Take any other action necessary under the foregoing and authorized by the published rules and regulations of the Commission.Conn. Agencies Regs. § 31-376-36
Effective December 30, 1974