(a) Except as otherwise specifically provided, all rules and regulations promulgated by the board under this title shall be promulgated pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act." For the purposes of this title, rule making under subsection (b) of Code Section 50-13-4 in response to an imminent peril to the public health, safety, or welfare shall include rule making to protect wildlife, the public, and the natural resources of this state in the event of fire, flood, disease, pollution, or other emergency situations.

(b) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, when a petition for judicial review of a final decision of the board in any matter arising under this title is filed pursuant to Chapter 13 of Title 50, the "Georgia Administrative Procedure Act," if the superior court in which the petition for review is filed does not hear the case within 90 days from the date the petition for review is filed with the court, the final decision of the board shall be considered affirmed by operation of law unless a hearing originally scheduled to be heard within the 90 days has been continued to a date certain by order of the court. In the event a hearing is held later than 90 days after the date the petition for review is filed with the court because a hearing originally scheduled to be heard within the 90 days has been continued to a date certain by order of the court, the final decision of the board shall be considered affirmed by operation of law if no order of the court disposing of the issues presented for review has been entered within 30 days after the date of the continued hearing. If a case is heard within 90 days from the date the petition for review is filed, the final decision of the board shall be considered affirmed by operation of law if no order of the court dispositive of the issues presented for review has been entered within 30 days of the date of the hearing.

(c) A decision of the board affirmed by operation of law under subsection (b) of this Code section shall be subject to appellate review in the same manner as a decision of the superior court. The date of entry of judgment for purposes of appeal pursuant to Code Section 5-6-35 of a decision affirmed by operation of law without action of the superior court shall be the last date on which the superior court could have taken action under subsection (b) of this Code section. Upon the setting aside of any such decision of the board, the court may recommit the controversy to the board for further hearing or proceedings in conformity with the judgment and opinion of the court; or such court may enter the proper judgment upon the findings, as the nature of the case may demand. Such decree of the court shall have the same effect and all proceedings in relation thereto shall, subject to the other provisions of this chapter, thereafter be the same as though rendered in an action heard and determined by the court.

(d) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any reference to an administrative law judge or hearing officer in this title shall be to an administrative law judge appointed by the chief state administrative law judge. The decision of the administrative law judge shall constitute the final administrative decision in any matter and any party to the matter, including the commissioner, shall have the right of judicial review in accordance with Chapter 13 of Title 50. Any request for administrative review by an administrative law judge appointed by the chief state administrative law judge shall be filed with the commissioner.

(e) Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, any reference to a final decision of the Board of Natural Resources in this title shall be to a final administrative decision by an administrative law judge appointed by the chief state administrative law judge.