50 CFR § 221.31 - What are the powers of the ALJ?

---
identifier: "/us/cfr/t50/s221.31"
source: "ecfr"
legal_status: "authoritative_unofficial"
title: "50 CFR § 221.31 - What are the powers of the ALJ?"
title_number: 50
title_name: "Wildlife and Fisheries"
section_number: "221.31"
section_name: "What are the powers of the ALJ?"
chapter_name: "NATIONAL MARINE FISHERIES SERVICE, NATIONAL OCEANIC AND ATMOSPHERIC ADMINISTRATION, DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE"
subchapter_number: "C"
subchapter_name: "MARINE MAMMALS"
part_number: "221"
part_name: "CONDITIONS AND PRESCRIPTIONS IN FERC HYDROPOWER LICENSES"
positive_law: false
currency: "2026-03-24"
last_updated: "2026-03-24"
format_version: "1.1.0"
generator: "[email protected]"
authority: "16 U.S.C. 797(e), 811, 823d."
regulatory_source: "80 FR 17207, Mar. 31, 2015, unless otherwise noted."
cfr_part: "221"
---


# 221.31 What are the powers of the ALJ?

The ALJ will have all powers necessary to conduct a fair, orderly, expeditious, and impartial hearing process relating to NOAA's or any other Department's condition or prescription that has been referred to the ALJ for hearing, including the powers to:

(a) Administer oaths and affirmations;

(b) Issue subpoenas under § 221.47;

(c) Shorten or enlarge time periods set forth in these regulations, except that the deadline in § 221.60(a)(2) can be extended only if the ALJ must be replaced under § 221.32 or 221.33;

(d) Rule on motions;

(e) Authorize discovery as provided for in this subpart;

(f) Hold hearings and conferences;

(g) Regulate the course of hearings;

(h) Call and question witnesses;

(i) Exclude any person from a hearing or conference for misconduct or other good cause;

(j) Summarily dispose of any hearing request or issue as to which the ALJ determines there is no disputed issue of material fact;

(k) Issue a decision consistent with § 221.60(b) regarding any disputed issue of material fact; and

(l) Take any other action authorized by law.