Section 1.07-15 - Hearing Officer(a) The Hearing Officer has no other responsibility, direct or supervisory, for the investigation of cases referred for the assessment of civil penalties. The hearing officer may take action on a case referred by any District Commander.(b) The Hearing Officer decides each case on the basis of the evidence before him, and must have no prior connection with the case. The Hearing Officer is solely responsible for the decision in each case referred to him.(c) The Hearing Officer is authorized to administer oaths and issue subpoenas necessary to the conduct of a hearing, to the extent provided by law.CGD 78-82, 43 FR 54186, Nov. 20, 1978, as amended by CGD 87-008a, 52 FR 17554, May 11, 1987; USCG-2002-12471, 67 FR 41331 , June 18, 2002