(a) One or more hearing examiners shall be appointed by the Governor of the Virgin Islands upon the recommendation of the Commissioner of Labor who by reason of training, education, or experience are qualified to hear and render decisions in contested cases arising under this chapter.
(b) The function of hearing examiners, acting as individuals or in assembly, shall be to hear and make a determination upon any proceeding instituted before them or upon any motion in connection therewith, assigned to them by the Commissioner and shall make a written report of such determination which shall constitute the final disposition of the proceedings. The report of the hearing examiner shall be transmitted by certified mail to the parties. The report of the hearing examiner shall become a final decision and order of the Commissioner within 30 days after receipt of the report by the parties, unless, within such period the Commissioner directs review of the report and the report is modified by the Commissioner. Thereafter, the modified report shall become the final order of the Commissioner. The decision becomes the final order of the Commissioner upon its receipt of the parties when transmitted to the parties by certified mail five working days after its issuance by the Commissioner.
(c) The appointment, terms of office, compensation and removal of hearing examiners shall be fixed in accordance with the provisions of title [sic] chapter 25 of the Virgin Islands Code.
(d) The Commissioner may prescribe such rules as are necessary for the lawful and orderly transaction of proceedings and hearings under this chapter.
(e) Hearing examiners may order testimony to be taken by deposition in any proceedings pending before them. Any person may be compelled to appear and depose and to produce papers or documents in the same manner as witnesses may be compelled to appear and testify and produce like documentary evidence before a hearing examiner. Witnesses whose depositions are taken under this subsection and the persons taking such depositions are entitled to the same fees as are paid for like services in the courts of the Virgin Islands.