Notwithstanding the provisions of Kan. Stat. Ann. § 77-514, and amendments thereto, on and after July 1, 2004, with respect to hearings pursuant to Kan. Stat. Ann. § 65-6a18 et seq., and amendments thereto, before the secretary of agriculture in accordance with the Kansas administrative procedure act, a hearing officer from the office of administrative hearings shall be the presiding officer unless the party requests that the matter, for which a hearing has been scheduled or for which a right to a hearing exists, be heard by a hearing officer appointed by the secretary.