(a) In an appropriate proceeding, to assist in the disposition of the proceeding without expense or burden to the parties or the department, the administrative law judge may direct the parties, their attorneys, or representatives to appear before the administrative law judge for a conference to consider any matter which may be considered under the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure, Rule 166, using the procedures set out therein.     
      (b) The administrative law judge may order that the conference provided for in these rules be conducted by videoconference or telephone conference call.     
      (c) The administrative law judge may order all or part of the prehearing conference to be recorded.     
      (d) The administrative law judge may issue a prehearing order reciting the actions taken or to be taken with regard to any matter addressed at the prehearing conference. Any such order shall be made a part of the case record.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §1.15 adopted to be effective January 18, 1991, 16 TexReg 113; amended to be effective August 3, 1993, 18 TexReg 4747; amended to be effective December 8, 2022, 47 TexReg 8039