(1) The commissioner of safety, in the commissioner's discretion, is hereby authorized to appoint or designate hearing officers to conduct contested case hearings under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in chapter 5 of this title.
(2) The commissioner shall delegate the commissioner's authority to review initial orders in contested cases suspending or revoking driver licenses to the administrative procedures division of the office of the secretary of state for review by an administrative judge with such division. The commissioner may delegate the commissioner's authority to review initial orders under this subsection (b) to one (1) or more additional persons. Review of initial orders shall be subject to further review and final disposition by the commissioner.
(3) The time taken to review an initial order shall not extend the time provided in § 4-5-315 for rendering and entering a final order or order remanding the case for further proceedings by the commissioner.