410.645—Joint hearings.
When two or more hearings are to be held, and the same or substantially similar evidence is relevant and material to the matters in issue at each such hearing, the Administrative Law Judge (formerly called “hearing examiner”) may fix the same time and place for each hearing and conduct all such hearings jointly. However, where there is no common issue of law or fact involved in two or more hearings and any party objects to a joint hearing, a joint hearing may not be held. Where joint hearings are held, a single record of the proceedings shall be made and the evidence introduced in one case may be considered as introduced in the others, and a separate or joint decision shall be made, as appropriate.