B. Recommendations of Hearing Officers. In a proceeding heard by a Hearing Officer, the Hearing Officer shall prepare his recommendation which may be in the form of an opinion and order, unless otherwise directed by the Commissioners. Such recommendation by the Hearing Officer shall become part of the Docket. Upon prior written request by a party to the Executive Secretary, a copy of such recommendation shall be sent to such party by the Executive Secretary. Such proposed order shall include recommended findings, conclusions, and order, which may be narrative form at the discretion of the Hearing Officer. Any party to the proceeding may serve and file five copies of exceptions to the proposed order within ten days after service thereof. There shall be no reply to exceptions and the proposed order and any exceptions filed shall be submitted to the Commission for its consideration.
Any party to a proceeding may offer at the conclusion of the hearing, a proposed order, with Findings of Fact and Conclusions of Law for consideration by the Commission, or Hearing Officer.