(a) At the discretion of the hearing officer, the parties may be ordered to file proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, or post-hearing briefs, or both. The hearing officer may order that such proposed findings and conclusions be filed together with, or as part of, post-hearing briefs.

(b) Proposed findings of fact or other statements of fact in briefs shall be supported by specific references to the record.

(c) In any case in which the hearing officer has ordered the filing of proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law, or post-hearing briefs, the hearing officer shall, after consultation with the parties, prescribe the period within which proposed findings of fact and conclusions of law or post-hearing briefs are to be filed. Such period shall be reasonable under all the circumstances but the total period allowed for the filing of post-hearing submissions shall not exceed 60 days after the conclusion of the hearing unless the hearing officer, for good cause shown, permits a different period and sets forth in an order the reasons why a longer period is necessary.

(d) Unless the hearing officer orders otherwise, each post-hearing submission shall not exceed 25 pages, exclusive of cover sheets, tables of contents and tables of authorities.