(1) The hearing officer shall make an order or statement which recites the action taken at the conference, including agreements made by the parties as to any of the matters considered, including the settlement or simplification of issues, and which limits the issues for hearing to those not disposed of by admissions or agreements; and such order or statement shall control the subsequent course of the proceeding unless modified for good cause by subsequent order. If no objection to such order is filed within ten days after the date such order is mailed, it shall control the subsequent course of the proceeding unless modified for good cause by subsequent order.

(2) In any proceeding the hearings officer may, in his or her discretion, conduct a conference prior to the taking of testimony, or may recess the hearing for such conference, for the purpose of carrying out the purpose of this chapter. The hearing officer shall state on the record the results of such conference.

(3) Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to limit the right of an agency to attempt informal settlement of an adjudicative proceeding at any time.