(a) Immediately after the executive director issues a preliminary decision on an application under § 5.553, the commission, on the request of the applicant or the executive director, shall refer the application directly to the State Office of Administrative Hearings for a contested case hearing on whether the application complies with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements.
(b) Sections 5.554, 5.555, and 5.556 of this code and Sections 2003.047(e) and (f), Government Code, do not apply to an application referred for a hearing under Subsection (a).

(c) Notwithstanding Subsection (b), the commission by rule shall provide for public comment and the executive director’s response to public comment to be entered into the administrative record of decision on an application.