| (a) Hearings in contested cases will be conducted by the presiding officer who shall have authority to administer oaths, to examine witnesses, to rule upon the admissibility of evidence and amendments to pleadings, and to recess any hearing from day to day. (b) If the presiding officer dies, becomes disabled or withdraws or is removed from employment on the case at any time before the final decision thereon, the agency may appoint another presiding officer who may perform any function remaining to be performed without the necessity of repeating any previous proceedings on the case. (c) The chairperson of the commission or a member designated by the chairperson shall preside over hearings conducted by the commission membership. The chairperson or designated member shall rule on the admissibility of evidence or amendments to pleadings. The chairperson or designated member may enter proposed orders which have been approved by the
commission.
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