(a) The Commission shall adopt a decision for all matters subject to hearings and decisions under article 7 of these regulations.

(b) If a matter is heard before the Commission itself, the Commission may adopt the proposed decision on the same day as the hearing.

(c) If a matter is heard by a hearing panel or a hearing officer alone, the panel or hearing officer shall prepare a proposed decision that may be adopted as the decision of the Commission at the next Commission meeting.

(d) A copy of the proposed decision shall be filed by Commission staff as a public record and a copy of the proposed decision shall be served by Commission staff on each party. The Commission itself may adopt the proposed decision or decide the case itself, provided that the Commission itself shall decide no matters provided for in this subdivision without affording the parties the opportunity to present either oral or written argument before the Commission.

(e) If the proposed decision of Commission staff is not adopted by the Commission, as provided in subsections (b) or (c), the Commission shall direct appropriate modification of the proposed decision and thereafter adopt it as the Commission's decision.

(f) Except as provided for in subdivision (b), the proposed decision shall be prepared within a reasonable time following submission of the matter to the hearing officer or panel, and within a reasonable time after the evidentiary hearing. It shall be served on the parties promptly thereafter.