(1) Although a party may offer any documents and testimony at the hearing to support the party's position, other parties may object to the evidence and may question the witnesses. For example, a party may object to the authenticity or admissibility of any exhibit or offer argument about how much weight the ALJ should give the exhibit.

(2) The ALJ determines whether to admit the evidence and what weight (importance) to give it.

(3) If the ALJ does not admit the evidence, the party may make an offer of proof to show why the ALJ should admit it. The offer of proof preserves the issue for appeal. To make an offer of proof, a party presents evidence and argument on the record to show why the ALJ should consider the evidence.