(1) The arbitrator will exercise all authority reasonable and necessary for the conduct of the arbitration subject to the provisions of this subchapter, the commission's procedural order on arbitration, and other provisions of law. If the commission is not the arbitrator, the arbitrator appointed by the commission shall have all the powers and duties of hearings examiners as set forth in the Montana Administrative Procedure Act.

(2) If the commission acts as the arbitrator, it may appoint a staff member to act as a hearings officer for procedural matters. The hearings officer may conduct scheduling and procedural conferences and decide procedural issues as necessary and reasonable to promote the speedy resolution of arbitration proceedings as mandated by the 1996 Act.