(1)    A person who has applied for a contract, permit, or other approval from the department of natural resources or the department of agriculture, trade and consumer protection that is the subject of a contested case hearing for which the division of hearings and appeals has assigned a hearing examiner may file a written request with the administrator of the division of hearings and appeals in the department of administration, not later than 10 days after receipt of the notice under s. 227.44 (1), for a substitution of a new hearing examiner.

   (2)   No person may file more than one request under sub. (1) for a single hearing.

   (3)   Upon receipt of a request under sub. (1), the administrator of the division of hearings and appeals shall determine if the request was made timely and in proper form. If the request was made timely and in proper form, the administrator of the division of hearings and appeals shall transfer the matter to another hearing examiner and shall transmit to the new hearing examiner all materials relating to the matter.