45 CFR §702.5
Verified against eCFR.gov as of June 20, 2026View official text on eCFR.gov ↗
- (a)The Chairperson shall announce in an opening statement the subject of the proceedings.
- (b)Following the opening statement, the Commission shall first convene in executive session if one is required pursuant to the provisions of § 702.6.
- (c)The Chairperson, subject to the approval of the Commission, shall:
- (1)Set the order of presentation of evidence and appearance of witnesses;
- (2)Rule on objections and motions;
- (3)Administer oaths and affirmations;
- (4)Make all rulings with respect to the introduction into or exclusion from the record of documentary or other evidence;
- (5)Regulate the course and decorum of the proceedings and the conduct of the parties and their counsel to ensure that the proceedings are conducted in a fair and impartial manner.
- (d)Proceedings shall be conducted with reasonable dispatch and due regard shall be had for the convenience and necessity of witnesses.
- (e)The questioning of witnesses shall be conducted only by Members of the Commission, by authorized Commission staff personnel, or by counsel to the extent provided in § 702.7.
- (f)In addition to persons served with a copy of the rules in this part pursuant to §§ 702.4 and 702.6, a copy of the rules in this part will be made available to all witnesses.
- (g)The Chairperson may punish breaches of order and decorum by censure and exclusion from the proceedings.