§ 37-530.1. Director or hearing officer to conduct hearing - Report - Recommendation - Notice - Review.

The Director shall have the authority to conduct an initial hearing when a hearing before the Commission is required by law. The Director may employ such hearing officers and assistants as are necessary to conduct the hearings.  If a hearing is conducted by a hearing officer, the hearing officer shall issue a report to the Director.  The report of the hearing officer shall include findings of fact and conclusions of law.  After conducting a hearing or after receiving the report of the hearing officer, the Director shall issue a recommendation to the Commission.  Notice of the recommendation of the Director shall be sent to the last-known address of the licensee.  If the licensee disagrees with the recommendation of the Director, he may request a hearing before the Commission for a review of the record.  If the licensee fails to request a review of the record within fifteen (15) days after the date of the notice of the Director's decision, the recommendation of the Director shall become a final order of the Commission.  A failure to request a review of the record by the Commission in a timely manner shall constitute a failure to exhaust administrative remedies.