908.53—Scheduling and prehearing conferences.

(a) Scheduling conference. Within thirty (30) days of service of the notice or order commencing a proceeding or at such other time as the parties may agree, the presiding officer shall direct representatives for all parties to meet with him or her in person at a specified time and place prior to the hearing or to confer by telephone for the purpose of scheduling the course and conduct of the proceeding. This meeting or telephone conference is called a “scheduling conference.” The identification of potential witnesses, the time for and manner of discovery and the exchange of any pre-hearing materials including witness lists, statements of issues, stipulations, exhibits and any other materials may also be determined at the scheduling conference.
(b) Pre-hearing conference. The presiding officer may, in addition to the scheduling conference, on his own motion or at the request of any party, direct representatives for the parties to meet with him (in person or by telephone) at a pre-hearing conference to address any or all of the following:
(1) Simplification and clarification of the issues;
(2) Stipulations, admissions of fact and the contents, authenticity and admissibility into evidence of documents;
(3) Matters of which official notice may be taken;
(4) Limitation of the number of witnesses;
(5) Summary disposition of any or all issues;
(6) Resolution of discovery issues or disputes;
(7) Amendments to pleadings; and
(8) Such other matters as may aid in the orderly disposition of the proceeding.
(c) Transcript. The presiding officer, in his discretion, may require that a scheduling or prehearing conference be recorded by a court reporter. A transcript of the conference and any materials filed, including orders, becomes part of the record of the proceeding. A party may obtain a copy of the transcript at such party's expense.
(d) Scheduling or pre-hearing orders. Within a reasonable time following the conclusion of the scheduling conference or any pre-hearing conference, the presiding officer shall serve on each party an order setting forth any agreements reached and any procedural determinations.