(1) After the hearing of a contested matter, the hearing examiner shall render a written decision on the merits which must contain findings of fact, a determination of the issues presented, and recommendation regarding the penalty to be imposed, if any. Copies of the decision and recommendation must be served on the parties personally or sent to them by registered or certified mail.
(2) The commission may, upon motion made within ten (10) days after service of a hearing examiner’s decision and recommendation, or upon its own motion within thirty (30) days of the date of the decision and recommendation, order a hearing before the commission upon such terms and conditions as it may deem just and proper to review the decision and recommendation. After hearing, the commission may reverse, modify or affirm the hearing examiner’s decision. If the commission decides not to review the hearing examiner’s decision and recommendation within thirty (30) days of the hearing examiner’s decision, that decision shall become the final order of the commission.