(a) All final recommendations of the hearing officer and all of the decisions of the executive director and the commission shall be in writing or stated in the record and shall include findings of fact, conclusions of law, reasons for the decision and when appropriate, direct that specific action be taken by the commission. The final decisions of the commission shall be binding upon the commission.

(b) Except in matters ex parte, members or employees of the commission assigned to make a decision or to make findings of fact and conclusions of law in any hearing shall not communicate, directly or indirectly, in connection with any issue of law, with any person, party or its representative of record, except upon notice and opportunity for all parties to participate. Any such member or employee may communicate with other commission members or employees and may seek the aid and advice of agency staff, including counsel to the commission, other than staff which has been or is engaged in the investigative or prosecuting functions in connection with the case under consideration or factually related case.

(c) The commission shall maintain all substantial basis investigation reports and notices of civil assessments and make them publicly available as required by law.