The secretary may designate any qualified person as hearing officer with respect to hearings on any franchise application. Subject to later review and ruling by the secretary or his designee, such hearing officer may:

(1) Administer oaths and affirmations, examine witnesses, and receive evidence;

(2) Admit evidence which possesses probative value commonly accepted by reasonable, prudent men in the conduct of their affairs, giving effect to the rules of privilege recognized by law and excluding incompetent, irrelevant, immaterial and unduly repetitious evidence;

(3) Rule on offers of proof and receive relevant evidence;

(4) Regulate the course of the hearing;

(5) Hold conferences for the settlement or simplification of the issues by consent of the parties;

(6) Dispose of procedural requests or similar matters;

(7) Prepare the proposed order, including findings of fact and conclusions of law, disposing of such application and submit the same to the secretary or his designee for consideration.