38 CFR 18b.42 – Authority of presiding officer
The presiding officer shall have the duty to conduct a fair hearing, to take all necessary action to avoid delay, and to maintain order. The presiding officer shall have all powers necessary to these ends, including (but not limited to) the power to:
Terms Used In 38 CFR 18b.42
- Evidence: Information presented in testimony or in documents that is used to persuade the fact finder (judge or jury) to decide the case for one side or the other.
- Presiding officer: A majority-party Senator who presides over the Senate and is charged with maintaining order and decorum, recognizing Members to speak, and interpreting the Senate's rules, practices and precedents.
- Testify: Answer questions in court.
(a) Arrange and issue notice of the date, time, and place of hearings, or, upon due notice to the parties, to change the date, time, and place of hearings previously set.
(b) Hold conferences to settle, simplify, or fix the issues in a proceeding, or to consider other matters that may aid in the expeditious disposition of the proceeding.
(c) Require parties and amici curiae to state their position with respect to the various issues in the proceeding.
(d) Administer oaths and affirmations.
(e) Rule on motions, and other procedural items on matters pending before the presiding officer.
(f) Regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of counsel therein.
(g) Examine witnesses and direct witnesses to testify.
(h) Receive, rule on, exclude or limit evidence.
(i) Fix the time for filing motions, petitions, briefs, or other items in matters pending before the presiding officer.
(j) Issue initial or recommended decisions.
(k) Take any action authorized by the rules in this part, or in conformance with the provisions of 5 U.S.C. §§ 551–559 (the Administrative Procedure Act).