39 C.F.R. § 956.15 Presiding officer.
Title 39 - Postal Service
(a) The presiding officer shall be an Administrative Law Judge qualified in accordance with law. The Chief Administrative Law Judge shall assign cases under this part upon rotation so far as practicable. The Judicial Officer may, for good cause found, preside at the reception of evidence upon request of either party. (b) The presiding officer shall have authority to: (1) Administer oaths and affirmations; (2) Examine witnesses; (3) Rule upon offers of proof, admissibility of evidence, and matters of procedure; (4) Order any pleading amended upon motion of a party at any time prior to the close of the hearing; (5) Maintain discipline and decorum and exclude from the hearing any person acting in an indecorous manner; (6) Require the filing of briefs or memoranda of law on any matter upon which he is required to rule; (7) Order prehearing conferences for the purposes of the settlement or simplification of issues by the parties; (8) Permit oral argument by any party; (9) Order the proceeding reopened at any time prior to his decision for the receipt of additional evidence; (10) Render an initial decision, if the presiding officer is not the Judicial Officer, which becomes the final agency decision unless a timely appeal is taken; the Judicial Officer may issue a tentative or a final decision; (11) Take such other and further action as may be necessary properly to preside over the proceeding and render decision therein.
Title 39: Postal Service
PART 956—RULES OF PRACTICE IN PROCEEDINGS RELATIVE TO DISCIPLINARY ACTION FOR VIOLATION OF RESTRICTIONS ON POST-EMPLOYMENT ACTIVITY
§ 956.15 Presiding officer.
