Sec. 18. (a) Upon the filing of or the expiration of the time for filing an answer, the commission shall:
(1) order a hearing before the commission on the discipline, retirement, or removal of the judge; or
(2) request the supreme court to appoint three (3) active or retired judges of courts of record as special masters to hear and take evidence on the matter and to report to the commission.
(b) The commission shall:
(1) set a time and place in the state in which the judge involved resides for a hearing; and
(2) mail notice of the hearing to the judge, the masters, and the counsel at least twenty (20) days before the hearing date.