(1) Hearing officers upon their own motion or upon request of a party may direct the parties or their representatives to engage in a prehearing conference or conferences to consider:

(a) Simplification of issues;

(b) The necessity or desirability of amendments to the pleadings, if any;

(c) The possibility of obtaining stipulations, admissions of fact and admissions of the genuineness of documents which will avoid unnecessary proof;

(d) Limitations on the number and consolidation of the examination of witnesses;

(e) Procedural matters;

(f) Distribution of written testimony and exhibits to the parties prior to the hearing;

(g) Such other matters as may aid in the disposition or settlement of the proceeding.

(2) Prehearing conferences may be held by telephone conference call or at a time and place specified by hearing officers.

(3) Following prehearing conferences, hearing officers shall issue an order. Orders are effective when they are served. Hearing officers may, at their discretion, hold more than one prehearing conference and issue orders modifying any prehearing order.

(4) In any full hearing, hearing officers may, in their discretion, conduct a conference prior to the taking of testimony, or may recess the hearing for such conference, for the purpose of carrying out the purpose of this rule. Hearing officers shall state on the record the results of such conference.