(1) Defined.

(a) Initial orders. Initial orders are orders an administrative law judge enters that resolve the disputed issues in adjudications in which the administrative law judge presides without the commissioners. The commission secretary also may enter initial orders in response to challenges to, or requests for mitigation of, commission penalty assessments.

(b) Final orders. Final orders are orders that a majority of the commissioners enter that resolve the substantive disputed issues in an adjudication in which the commissioners preside or that a majority of the commissioners enter on review of an initial order entered by an administrative law judge or the commission secretary.

(2) Service. The commission will serve initial and final orders on all party representatives included in the master service list in an adjudication.

(3) Timing. Except as otherwise provided in these rules or applicable statute, the presiding administrative law judge will enter an initial order within sixty days after the commission receives transcripts following the close of the record, hears oral argument (if allowed or required), or receives final briefs, whichever occurs last. Except as otherwise provided in these rules or applicable statute, the commission will enter its final order within ninety days after the commission receives transcripts following the close of the record, hears oral argument (if allowed or required), receives final briefs, or receives a petition for administrative review or a response to a petition for review, whichever occurs last. The commission may alter the time for entering an initial or final order for good cause.