Modifying certain contested case procedures under the administrative procedure act (APA); authorizing state agencies to by order provide for the report or order of the administrative law judge as the final decision; authorizing involved parties after agency approval to agree to submit issues raised to arbitration as an alternative to initiating or continuing contested case proceedings; providing for closure of the contested case record; requiring decisions or orders rejecting or modifying findings of fact, conclusions or recommendations of administrative law judges to include the reasons for the rejection or modification; reports or orders of administrative law judges to constitute the final decision in the case, exception; specifying a time limit for administrative law judge issuance of findings of fact, conclusions or orders after closure of the hearing record, authorizing extension upon a showing of good cause (Ch. 251, 2002)