33 CFR 148.236: What authority does an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) have?

When assigned to a formal hearing, an ALJ may:

(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(b) Issue subpoenas;

(c) Issue rules of procedure for written evidence;

(d) Rule on offers of proof and receive evidence;

(e) Examine witnesses;

(f) Rule on motions of the parties;

(g) Suspend or bar an attorney from representing a person in the proceeding for unsuitable conduct;

(h) Exclude any person for disruptive behavior during the hearing;

(i) Set the hearing schedule;

(j) Certify questions to the Commandant (CG-5P);

(k) Proceed with a scheduled session of the hearing in the absence of a party who failed to appear;

(l) Extend or shorten a non-statutorily imposed deadline under this subpart within the 240-day time limit for the completion of public hearings in 33 U.S.C. 1504(g);

(m) Set deadlines not specified in this subpart or the Deepwater Ports Act; and

(n) Take any other action authorized by or consistent with this subpart, the Deepwater Ports Act, or 5 U.S.C. 551-559.