1. Prior to release of the bond or any portion thereof, application shall be made by the operator to the commission, either with the completion of the report referred to in section 444.774 or subsequent to such report, for release of the bond.

2. The commission shall cause to have investigated the status of reclamation on land for which a release application has been filed.

3. If the director or the commission determines that the bond, or any portion thereof, should be released, an order may be so issued without hearing. If an owner of the land that has been affected by surface mining files a petition in opposition to the release of the bond within thirty days of the receipt date of the application for release, a hearing may be held, if the bond release criteria does not meet permit standards. A hearing may also be held if the director, within thirty days of the receipt date of the application for release, recommends denial of the application following its investigation. In such cases, the commission may hold a hearing as provided in section 444.789 and enter such order as shall be appropriate.

4. If the commission determines that the bond or any portion thereof should not be released, the commission shall issue an order to that effect with the reasons for the order and shall give notice to the operator. A hearing shall be held by the commission as provided in section 444.789 if requested by the operator within thirty days of the date of notice of the order. At such hearing burden of proof shall be on the operator. After hearing, the commission shall enter such order as shall be appropriate and shall give notice to the operator.

5. All final decisions or orders of the commission shall be subject to judicial review as provided for in chapter 536. No judicial review shall be available, however, until and unless all administrative remedies are exhausted.