(b)

1. (1) After the record before the hearing officer is closed and the hearing officer has considered all of the evidence, the hearing officer shall, as soon as practical, prepare a proposed order to be delivered to the Board of Trustees of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.

2. (2) The proposed order shall include:

   1. (A) Findings of fact based exclusively on the evidence and testimony in the record of the hearing;
   2. (B) Conclusions of law that shall be separately stated from the findings of fact; and
   3. (C) A recommendation to the board.

3. (3)

   1. (A) The hearing officer shall provide the proposed order to the board via email and via United States Postal Service mail addressed to the: Arkansas Teacher Retirement System, Member Appeals ATTN: Legal Department 1400 West Third Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201
   2. (B) Upon receiving the proposed order, the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System shall mail a copy of the proposed order to the member and, if applicable, the member’s counsel via certified first-class United States Postal Service mail with a copy to the Executive Director of the Arkansas Teacher Retirement System.