Sec. 9977.15. Powers and duties of hearing officer

(a) A hearing officer is authorized to do the following in any hearing or proceeding to which he or she is assigned:

(1) administer oaths and affirmations;

(2) at the request of any party, sign and issue subpoenas in the name of the commission requiring the attendance and giving of testimony by witnesses and the production of books, papers, documents, and other evidence. Subpoenas shall be regulated by the Civil Practice Law and Rules. Nothing herein contained shall affect the authority of an attorney for a party to issue such subpoenas under the provisions of the Civil Practice Law and Rules;

(3) provide for the taking of testimony by deposition;

(4) regulate the course of the hearings, set the time and place for continued hearings and the time for filing of briefs and other documents;

(5) direct the parties to appear and confer to consider the simplification or settlement of the issues by consent of the parties; and

(6) prepare findings of fact and recommendations.