(1) Upon application by any person or upon his or her own motion, the presiding officer or other official responsible for the original proceeding shall consider whether the conversion of a proceeding pursuant to RCW 34.05.070 should be made.

(2) Commencement of the new proceeding shall be determined to be the time of commencement of the original proceeding, provided that all statutory and regulatory requirements for the new proceeding shall be met.