Subject to these rules, a Judge is empowered to:
(a)
Administer oaths and affirmations;
(b)
Issue subpoenas authorized by law;
(c)
Rule on offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;
(d)
Order depositions to be taken;
(e)
Regulate the course of the hearing;
(f)
Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues;
(g)
Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;
(h)
Make decisions in the proceedings before him, provided that he shall not be assigned to make a recommended decision; and
(i)
Take other action authorized by these rules, by 5 U.S.C. 556, or by the Act.