(a) At any time after publication of a notice of hearing, the hearing officer may request that the parties attempt to stipulate to an agreement that will resolve specified issues and result in withdrawal of objections, limiting the scope of the subject matter, or in the discontinuance of the hearing.

(b) Such stipulations shall be incorporated into the record of the hearing or agreed to in writing by the involved parties and filed with the hearing officer.

(c) Such stipulations do not alter the responsibility of the commission to make a determination on the application consistent with all applicable laws and regulations.