SECTION 630:4-5-15. Effect of order or decision by hearing examiner

(a)   An order or decision by the hearing examiner shall be made final if that order or decision is not timely appealed to the Commission. If not timely appealed to the Commission, then the Administrator shall sign the order or decision by the hearing examiner as a Final Order and mail a copy to each respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(b)   If an order or decision by a hearing examiner is timely appealed to the Commission, then the Commission shall at its next meeting take up the matter, and allow each party an opportunity to present arguments why the order or decision should not become a final order.

(c)   After hearing arguments, the Commission may affirm the order or decision of the hearing examiner, or may for good cause modify the decision or order of the hearing examiner and issue a revised order with findings of fact and conclusions of law, or may refer the order or decision back to the hearing examiner for a hearing on specific matters. The Administrator shall a mail a copy of a Final Order by the Commission to each respondent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

(d)   A party may appeal a Final Order as provided in the APA.

[Source: Amended at 25 Ok Reg 2003, eff 7-1-08]