Ala. Code § 37-3-9
Except as otherwise provided, any matter arising in the administration of this chapter requiring a hearing shall be heard and decided by the commission or shall, by written order of the commission, be referred to a member or examiner of the commission for hearing and the recommendation of an appropriate order thereon. With respect to such matter, the member or examiner shall have all the rights, duties, powers and jurisdiction conferred by this chapter upon the commission; except, that the order recommended by such member or examiner shall be subject to the following provisions of this paragraph. Any order recommended by the member or examiner with respect to such matter shall be in writing and be accompanied by the reasons therefor and shall be filed with the commission. Copies of such recommended order shall be served upon the parties in interest, who have appeared in the proceeding, who may file exceptions thereto, but if no exceptions are filed within 20 days after service upon such parties, or within such further period as the commission may authorize, such recommended order shall become the order of the commission and become effective, unless within such period the order is stayed or postponed by the commission. Where exceptions are filed as provided in this section, it shall be the duty of the commission to consider the same, and, if sufficient reason appears therefor, the commission shall grant such review or make such order or hold or authorize such further hearing or proceedings in the premises as may be necessary or proper to carry out the purpose of this chapter, or the commission may, on its own motion, review any such matter and take action thereon as if exceptions thereto had been filed. The commission, after review upon the same record or as supplemented by a further hearing shall decide the matter and make appropriate order thereon. Where practicable and as the commission may by rule or notice direct, hearings by the commission, any member or examiner upon any matter shall be held at such places within the State of Alabama as are convenient to the parties.
Ala. Code § 37-3-9 (1975)