Section 12-6-6.102.06 - Authority of Hearing OfficerThe hearing officer, in the conduct of the hearing, has the power, among others, to:
(a) hold informal 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 either by consent of the parties or upon such officer's own motion;(b) require parties to state their positions with respect to the various issues in the proceeding;(c) require parties to produce for examination those relevant witnesses and documents under their control;(d) rule on motions, and other procedural items on matters pending before such officer;(e) regulate the course of the hearing and conduct of participants therein;(f) receive, rule on, exclude, or limit evidence, and limit lines of questioning or testimony which are irrelevant, immaterial, or unduly repetitious;(g) fix time limits for submission of written documents in matters before such officer;(h) impose appropriate sanctions against any party or person failing to obey an order under these procedures, which sanctions may include:(i) refusing to allow the disobedient party to support or oppose designated claims or defenses, or prohibiting that party from introducing designated matters in evidence;(ii) excluding all testimony of an unresponsive or evasive witness; and(iii) expelling any party or person from further participation in the hearing;(i) take official notice of any material fact not appearing in evidence in the record, if such fact is among the traditional matters of judicial notice.12 Miss. Code. R. 6-6.102.06