Section 500.690  Hearing Officer's Report

a)         At the close of the hearing and after the disposition of all motions, the Hearing Officer may request the parties to submit proposed findings of fact, conclusions of law and proposed order in such form and in such sequence as the Hearing Officer may direct.

b)         The Hearing Officer's report shall be in writing and shall include proposed findings of fact and recommended conclusions of law. Findings of fact shall be based exclusively on the evidence presented at the hearing or known to all parties, including matters officially noticed. Findings of fact, if set forth in statutory language, shall be accompanied by a statement of the underlying supporting facts. If a party submits proposed findings of fact which may control the decision or order, the decision or order shall include a ruling upon each proposed finding. Each conclusion of law shall be supported by authority or reasoned opinion. A decision or order shall not be made except upon consideration of the record as a whole or such portion thereof as may be supported by competent material and substantial evidence.

c)         The Hearing Officer shall then submit proposed findings and recommend conclusions of law to the Board not later than sixty (60) days after the conclusion of the hearing.