(a) The commissioner may designate and appoint an administrative law judge to act on his or her behalf in conducting any hearing held under this chapter and to prepare draft decisions or proposals for decision on those hearings.
(b) The administrative law judge has the authority to administer oaths; call and examine witnesses; issue subpoenas; make rulings on motions, the admissibility of evidence, and amendments to pleadings; maintain decorum; schedule and recess the hearing from day to day; establish reasonable timelines; and make any other orders as justice requires.
(c) If the administrative law judge is unable to continue presiding over a hearing at any time before the final decision, another administrative law judge will be appointed who shall perform any remaining function without the necessity of repeating any previous proceedings.

Source Note: The provisions of this §157.1043 adopted to be effective April 7, 1993, 18 TexReg 1928; amended to be effective July 20, 2004, 29 TexReg 6887