The presiding officer shall schedule prehearing conferences as necessary for the efficient management of the proceeding. The presiding officer shall conduct prehearing conferences for any appropriate purpose, including consideration of the following:     
       (1) motions and other preliminary matters related to the proceeding, including notice, discovery, and procedural schedules;       
         (2) settlement of the case, or clarification and simplification of the issues;         
           (3) the necessity or desirability of amended pleadings;           
             (4) the possibility of obtaining stipulations that would avoid the unnecessary introduction of evidence;             
               (5) evidentiary matters, including a request for interim relief;               
                 (6) the specific procedures to be followed at the hearing;                 
                   (7) the scheduling of the hearing on the merits; and                   
                     (8) any other matters as may assist in thedisposition of the proceeding in a fair and efficient manner.                    
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §22.121 adopted to be effective November 1, 1993, 18 TexReg 6641.