Presiding hearing officer.

1. The Commissioner may designate a person to act as hearing officer. 2. The decision of the hearing officer is subject to review and approval by the Commissioner. 3. If the Commissioner designates a person to act as hearing officer, the Commissioner retains the right, at any time, to assume responsibility for presiding over the hearing, and any authority granted to a hearing officer in NAC 598.120 to 598.174 , inclusive, is also granted to the Commissioner. 4. If the Commissioner is unable to preside over the hearing and does not designate a hearing officer, the Director shall appoint a hearing officer to preside over the hearing, whose decision is subject to review and approval by the Director.