58-36-35. Appeal to Commissioner from decision of Bureau.

(a) Any member of the Bureau may appeal to the Commissioner from any decision of the Bureau, except for a decision made under G.S. 58-36-1(2). After a hearing held on not fewer than 10 days' written notice to the appellant and to the Bureau, the Commissioner shall issue an order approving the decision or directing the Bureau to reconsider the decision. If the Commissioner directs the Bureau to reconsider the decision and the Bureau fails to take action satisfactory to the Commissioner, the Commissioner shall make such order as the Commissioner may see fit.

(b) No later than 20 days before the hearing, the appellant shall file with the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated hearing officer and shall serve on the appellee a written statement of his case and any evidence the appellant intends to offer at the hearing. No later than five days before such hearing, the appellee shall file with the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated hearing officer and shall serve on the appellant a written statement of the appellee's case and any evidence the appellee intends to offer at the hearing. Each such hearing shall be recorded and transcribed. The cost of the recording and transcribing shall be borne equally by the appellant and appellee; provided that upon any final adjudication the prevailing party shall be reimbursed for his share of such costs by the other party. Each party shall, on a date determined by the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated hearing officer, but not sooner than 15 days after delivery of the completed transcript to the party, submit to the Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated hearing officer and serve on the other party, a proposed order. The Commissioner or the Commissioner's designated hearing officer shall then issue an order.