---
kind: "section"
citation: "49 C.F.R. § 1503.607"
title: "49"
number: "1503.607"
heading: "Administrative law judges."
url: "https://uscodex.org/cfr/49/1503.607"
---

# §1503.607. Administrative law judges.

- (a) **Powers of an ALJ.** In accordance with the rules of this subpart, an ALJ may:
  - (1) **Give notice of, and hold, prehearing conferences and hearings.**
  - (2) Issue scheduling orders and other appropriate orders regarding discovery or other matters that come before him or her consistent with the rules of this subpart.
  - (3) **Administer oaths and affirmations.**
  - (4) **Issue subpoenas authorized by law.**
  - (5) **Rule on offers of proof.**
  - (6) **Receive relevant and material evidence.**
  - (7) **Regulate the course of the hearing in accordance with the rules of this subpart.**
  - (8) Hold conferences to settle or to simplify the issues on his or her own motion or by consent of the parties.
  - (9) **Rule on procedural motions and requests.**
  - (10) **Make findings of fact and conclusions of law, and issue an initial decision.**
  - (11) Strike unsigned documents unless omission of the signature is corrected promptly after being called to the attention of the attorney or party.
  - (12) Order payment of witness fees in accordance with [§ 1503.649](/cfr/49/1503.649.md).
- (b) **Limitations on the power of the ALJ.**
  - (1) The ALJ may not:
    - (i) **Issue an order of contempt.**
    - (ii) **Award costs to any party.**
    - (iii) **Impose any sanction not specified in this subpart.**
    - (iv) **Adopt or follow a standard of proof or procedure contrary to that set forth in this subpart.**
    - (v) Decide issues involving the validity of a TSA regulation, order, or other requirement under the U.S. Constitution, the Administrative Procedure Act, or other law.
  - (2) If the ALJ imposes any sanction not specified in this subpart, a party may file an interlocutory appeal of right pursuant to [§ 1503.631(c)(3)](/cfr/49/1503.631.md?p=c-3).
  - (3) This section does not preclude an ALJ from issuing an order that bars a person from a specific proceeding based on a finding of obstreperous or disruptive behavior in that specific proceeding.
- (c) **Disqualification.** The ALJ may disqualify himself or herself at any time. A party may file a motion, pursuant to [§ 1503.629(f)(6)](/cfr/49/1503.629.md?p=f-6), requesting that an ALJ be disqualified from the proceedings.

## Notes

### Authority

Authority : 6 U.S.C. 1142; 18 U.S.C. 6002; 28 U.S.C. 2461 (note); 49 U.S.C. 114, 20109, 31105, 40113-40114, 40119, 44901-44907, 44939, 46101-46107, 46109-46110, 46301, 46305, 46311, 46313-46314; Pub. L. 110-53 (121 Stat. 266, Aug. 3, 2007) secs. 1408 (6 U.S.C. 1137), 1501 (6 U.S.C. 1151), 1517 (6 U.S.C. 1167), and 1534 (6 U.S.C. 1184).

### Source

Source: 74 FR 36039, July 21, 2009, unless otherwise noted.