(1) The hearings, as provided under Section 29-7-21(1), may be conducted by the commission itself at a regular or special meeting of the commission, or the commission may designate a hearing officer, who may conduct such hearings in the name of the commission at any time and place as conditions and circumstances may warrant. The hearing officer shall have the record prepared of any hearing that he has conducted for the commission. The record shall be submitted to the commission along with that hearing officer’s findings of fact and recommended decision. Upon receipt and review of the record of the hearing and the hearing officer’s findings of fact and recommended decision, the commission shall render its decision in the matter. The decision shall become final after it is entered on the minutes and shall be considered the final administrative agency decision on the matter. The decision may be appealed under Section 29-7-21(2).
(2) All hearings before the commission shall be recorded either by a court reporter, tape or mechanical recorders and subject to transcription upon order of the commission or any interested party, but if the request for transcription originates with an interested party, that party shall pay the cost thereof.