R305-7-208. Conferences, Proceedings and Order

  (1) The ALJ may hold one or more conferences for the purposes of:

  (a) identifying and, if possible, narrowing the issues that will be considered;

  (b) determining whether an issue will be considered through a dispositive motion or during the briefing on the merits;

  (c) establishing schedules for the filing of motions and briefs;

  (d) considering stipulations of fact or law; and

  (e) considering any other matters.

  (2) The ALJ shall promptly issue an order memorializing any determinations made about the matters considered in a conference.

  (3) The ALJ may at any time order a party to make a more clear statement of the issues the party intends to raise.

  (4) The ALJ may:

  (a) require the parties to submit proposed schedules for the proceeding; and

  (b) to the extent allowed by Section 19-1-301.5 and R305-7-208(6), change deadlines and page limits for submissions established by this Rule.

  (5) The parties may request the ALJ hold a conference for the purpose of addressing the matters described in R305-7-208(1).

  (6) Stipulated Scheduling Orders. The ALJ shall issue scheduling orders following Section 19-1-301.5 for the administrative record, briefing and page limits, and dispositive motions that shall apply unless the parties file stipulations for alternative scheduling and page limitations. The ALJ shall promptly adopt such timely filed stipulations in applicable scheduling orders unless the ALJ is not available on the stipulated hearing date or questions the necessity of the stipulated brief lengths.

  (a) Stipulated Hearing Date. If the ALJ is not available on the stipulated hearing date, the ALJ shall confer with the parties to determine a mutually acceptable date and shall specify the mutually acceptable date in applicable scheduling orders.

  (b) Stipulated Over-Length Briefs. If the ALJ questions the necessity of the stipulated over-length briefs, the ALJ may require the parties to state with specificity the issues to be briefed, the number of additional pages requested, and the good cause for allowing over-length briefs. The ALJ may promptly refuse to adopt or may promptly modify through order the parties' stipulation for over-length briefs if the parties fail to show good cause.