(a) In addition to those agencies expressly exempted from the operation of this chapter under paragraph (1) of Code Section 50-13-2, this article shall not apply to the Public Service Commission, the Health Planning Review Board, or the Department of Community Health or to the Department of Labor with respect to unemployment insurance benefit hearings conducted under the authority of Chapter 8 of Title 34. Such exclusion does not prohibit these agencies from contracting with the Office of State Administrative Hearings on a case-by-case basis.

(b) This article shall apply to hearings conducted pursuant to Code Sections 45-20-8 and 45-20-9. The State Personnel Board may provide by rule that proposed decisions in all or in specified classes of cases before the Office of State Administrative Hearings will become final without further action by the board and without expiration of the 30 day review period otherwise provided for in subsection (e) of Code Section 50-13-41.