Administrative law judges shall have authority to:
(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;(b) Issue subpoenas as authorized by law;(c) Rule upon offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;(d) Take or cause depositions to be taken whenever the ends of justice would be served thereby;(e) Regulate the course of the hearing;(f) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties;(g) Require the attendance at such conferences of at least one representative of each party who has the authority to negotiate concerning resolution of issues in controversy;(h) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;(i) Render recommended decisions in proceedings on applications for licenses and permits and on revocation or denial of renewal of licenses or permits;(j) Call, examine, and cross-examine witnesses, including hostile or adverse witnesses, when the administrative law judge deems such action to be necessary to a just disposition of the case, and introduce into the record documentary or other evidence; and(k) Take any other action authorized by rule of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives consistent with the Administrative Procedure Act. See5 U.S.C. 556(c) and 18 U.S.C. 843.