As determined by the Commissioner, the Hearings Officer for the Finance Commission or an Administrative Law Judge at the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) may be designated as the hearings officer for hearings under this chapter. All such hearings are to be conducted in accordance with Chapter 9 of this title (relating to Rules of Procedure for Contested Case Hearings, Appeals, and Rulemakings), including, but not limited to motions for rehearing, notices of appeal, and applications for review and shall be a contested case governed by Chapter 2001, Government Code. All such hearings, unless specifically authorized by the Commissioner, shall be conducted in Austin, Travis County, Texas. Such rules, as set forth in Chapter 9 of this title, are incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.