The commissioner may designate 1 or more persons to conduct hearings provided for under this act, hearings required by the administrative procedures act of 1969, Act No. 306 of the Public Acts of 1969, being section 24.201 to 24.315 of the Michigan Compiled Laws, and hearings which the commissioner considers necessary and appropriate for fact-finding or information gathering before making decisions, policies, and determinations allowable or required by law in the course of carrying out the duties of the commissioner. Hearings under this act shall be conducted in the same manner as hearings conducted under the insurance code of 1956, Act No. 218 of the Public Acts of 1956, being section 500.100 to 500.8302 of the Michigan Compiled Laws.