(a) If no agreement is reached under AS 18.80.110 and the executive director determines to refer the complaint for hearing, the executive director shall issue an accusation based on the investigator's determination of substantial evidence and serve the person charged in the accusation and the complainant with notice of the referral and a copy of the accusation. The executive director's decision to refer the complaint to hearing is not reviewable by the commission under this chapter. The location of the hearing is the commission office unless the commission designates another location. The executive director, or the executive director's designee, shall present the case in support of the accusation before the commission. The person charged in the accusation may file a written answer and may appear at the hearing, with or without counsel, and submit evidence.

(b) The commission shall request the chief administrative law judge to appoint, under AS 44.64.020, an administrative law judge employed or retained by the office of administrative hearings to preside over a hearing conducted under this section. AS 44.64.040 - 44.64.055, 44.64.070 - 44.64.200, and the procedures in AS 44.62.330 - 44.62.630 (Administrative Procedure Act) apply to the hearing except as otherwise provided in this chapter.

(c) An accusation may be reasonably and fairly amended by the commission. An amendment to name a different discriminatory practice must be supported by substantial evidence, and the discriminatory practice must be referred for conference, conciliation, and persuasion as provided in AS 18.80.110, before a hearing may proceed.

(d) In a hearing on an accusation, each element of an accusation or defense must be proven by a preponderance of the evidence.

(e) At any time after the issuance of an accusation, the executive director or the person charged in the accusation may petition for a summary decision on the accusation. The commission shall grant a petition if, after a reasonable opportunity for discovery, the record shows that there is no genuine issue of material fact and the petitioner is entitled to an order under AS 18.80.130 as a matter of law.