(a) In hearings conducted under §18.6, the responsible agency official shall make the final agency decision, on the basis of the record, findings, conclusions, and recommendations presented by the hearing examiner.

(b) Prior to making a final decision, the responsible agency official shall give the parties an opportunity to submit the following, within thirty (30) days after the submission of the hearing officer's recommendations:

(1) Proposed findings and determinations;

(2) Exceptions to the recommendations of the hearing officer; and

(3) Supporting reasons for the exceptions or proposed findings or determinations; and

(4) Final briefs summarizing the arguments presented at the hearing.

(c) All determinations, findings and conclusions made by the responsible agency official shall be final and conclusive upon the responsible agency and all appellants.