[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 7, Volume 8]
[Revised as of January 1, 2003]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 7CFR900.55]

[Page 17]
 
                          TITLE 7--AGRICULTURE
 
  CHAPTER IX--AGRICULTURAL MARKETING SERVICE (Marketing Agreements and 
      Orders; Fruits, Vegetables, Nuts), DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 
PART 900--GENERAL REGULATIONS--Table of Contents
 
Subpart--Rules of Practice Governing Proceedings on Petitions To Modify 
                 or To Be Exempted From Marketing Orders
 
Sec. 900.55  Judges.

    (a) Assignment. No judge who has any pecuniary interest in the 
outcome of the proceeding, or who has participated in any investigation 
preceding the institution of the proceeding, shall serve as judge in 
such proceeding.
    (b) Conduct. The judge shall conduct the proceeding in a fair and 
impartial manner and shall not discuss ex parte the merits of the 
proceeding with any person who is or who has been connected in any 
manner with the proceeding in an advocative or investigative capacity.
    (c) Powers of judges. Subject to review by the Secretary, as 
provided elsewhere in this subpart, the judge shall have power to:
    (1) Rule upon motions and requests;
    (2) Adjourn the hearing from time to time, and change the time and 
place of hearing;
    (3) Administer oaths and affirmations and take affidavits;
    (4) Issue subpenas, under the facsimile signature of the Secretary, 
requiring the attendance and testimony of witnesses and the production 
of books, records, contracts, papers, and other documentary evidence;
    (5) Examine witnesses and receive evidence;
    (6) Take or order, under the facsimile signature of the Secretary, 
the taking of depositions;
    (7) Admit or exclude evidence;
    (8) Hear oral argument on facts or law;
    (9) Consolidate hearings upon two or more petitions pertaining to 
the same order;
    (10) Do all acts and take all measures necessary for the maintenance 
of order at the hearing and the efficient conduct of the proceeding.
    (d) Who may act in absence of judge. In case of the absence of the 
judge or his inability to act, the powers and duties to be performed by 
him under these rules of practice in connection with a proceeding may, 
without abatement of the proceeding unless otherwise ordered by the 
Secretary, be assigned to any other judge.
    (e) Disqualification of judge. The judge may at any time withdraw as 
judge in a proceeding if he deems himself to be disqualified. Upon the 
filing by an interested person in good faith of a timely and sufficient 
affidavit of personal bias or disqualification of a judge, the Secretary 
shall determine the matter as a part of the record and decision in the 
proceeding, after making such investigation or holding such hearings, or 
both, as he may deem appropriate in the circumstances.