Minn. Stat. § 176.381: REFERENCE OF QUESTIONS OF FACT.

Subdivision 1. Hearing before Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals.

In the hearing of any matter before the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals, the chief judge of the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals may refer any question of fact to the chief administrative law judge for assignment to a compensation judge either to hear evidence and report it to the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals or to hear evidence and make findings of fact and report them to the Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals. The Workers' Compensation Court of Appeals shall notify the commissioner of any matter referred to a compensation judge under this subdivision.

Subd. 2. Hearing before compensation judge.

In the hearing of any petition before a compensation judge, the chief administrative law judge may refer any question of fact to another compensation judge to hear evidence and report it to the original compensation judge.