Quorum of Commission. A majority of the Commission shall constitute a quorum for the purpose of administering generally the provisions of the Public Utilities Article, Annotated Code of Maryland. Formation of Panels. Subject to the reserved right of the Commission to determine which proceedings shall be conducted en banc, the Chairman shall determine the composition of panels, assign cases to them, designate the presiding officer, and also determine the cases to be referred to the Hearing Examiner Division. Panels shall consist of three commissioners or two commissioners and a hearing examiner. Quorum for Panels. A majority of the three-member panel shall constitute a quorum for both conducting the proceeding and for the passage of a final order. Absence of Chairman. The Chairman shall designate a member of the Commission to act in his absence to discharge his duties under this regulation for the formation of hearing panels and the assignment of cases.