Ky. R. Civ. P. 53.03
An order of reference to a master commissioner or local rules of court may specify or limit his or her powers and may direct him or her to report only upon particular issues or to do or perform particular acts or to receive and report evidence only and may fix the time and place for beginning and closing the hearings and for the filing of the master commissioner's report. Subject to the specifications and limitations stated in the order or local rules of court, the master commissioner has and shall exercise the power to regulate all proceedings in every hearing before him or her and to do all acts and take all measures necessary or proper for the efficient performance of his or her duties under the order or local rules of court. He or she may require the production before him of evidence upon matters embraced in the reference, including the production of all books, papers, vouchers, documents, and writing applicable thereto. He or she may rule upon the admissibility of evidence unless otherwise directed by the order of reference and has the authority to put witnesses on oath and may himself or herself examine them and may call the parties to the action and examine them upon oath. When a party so requests, the master commissioner shall make a record of the evidence offered and excluded in the same manner and subject to the same limitations as provided in applicable Rules of Civil Procedure and/or Rules of Evidence for a court sitting without a jury.
Ky. R. Civ. P. 53.03