Sec. 36.410. PROPOSAL FOR DECISION. (a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the presiding officer shall submit a proposal for decision to the board not later than the 30th day after the date the evidentiary hearing is concluded.

(b) The proposal for decision must include:

(1) a summary of the subject matter of the hearing;

(2) a summary of the evidence or public comments received; and

(3) the presiding officer's recommendations for board action on the subject matter of the hearing.

(c) The presiding officer or general manager shall provide a copy of the proposal for decision to:

(1) the applicant; and

(2) each designated party.

(d) A party may submit to the board written exceptions to the proposal for decision.

(e) If the hearing was conducted by a quorum of the board and if the presiding officer prepared a record of the hearing as provided by Section 36.408(a), the presiding officer shall determine whether to prepare and submit a proposal for decision to the board under this section.

(f) The board shall consider the proposal for decision at a final hearing. Additional evidence may not be presented during a final hearing. The parties may present oral argument at a final hearing to summarize the evidence, present legal argument, or argue an exception to the proposal for decision. A final hearing may be continued as provided by Section 36.409.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 970 (H.B. 1763), Sec. 17, eff. September 1, 2005.

Amended by:

Acts 2015, 84th Leg., R.S., Ch. 405 (H.B. 2179), Sec. 6, eff. June 10, 2015.