Sec. 161.165. FORMAL HEARING: SUBPOENAS AND WITNESSES. (a) A subpoena or other request to testify shall be served sufficiently in advance of the scheduled appearance at a formal hearing to allow a reasonable period, as determined by the commission, for the person subpoenaed to prepare for the hearing and to employ counsel if desired.
(b) Except as provided by Section 161.166(a)(1), the commission may order that a person may not, except as specifically authorized by the presiding officer, make public the name of a witness subpoenaed by the commission before the date of that witness's scheduled appearance.
(c) A witness may read a written statement or present a brief oral opening statement at a formal hearing, subject to the rules of evidence applicable to a contested case under Section 2001.081, Government Code.
(d) A person whose name is mentioned or who is identified or referred to in testimony or in statements made by a commission member, commission staff member, or witness and who reasonably believes that the statement tends to adversely affect the person's reputation may:
(1) request to appear personally before the commission to testify in the person's own behalf; or
(2) file a sworn statement of facts relevant to the testimony or statement that the person believes adversely affects the person's reputation.
(e) A witness who testifies at a formal hearing must be sworn.
Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch. 799 (S.B. 1368), Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.
Structure Texas Statutes
Title 5 - Matters Affecting Public Officers and Employees
Subtitle B - County Officers and Employees
Chapter 161 - County Ethics Commission in Certain Counties
Subchapter D. Complaint Procedures and Hearings
Section 161.152. Complaint Procedures and Hearings
Section 161.153. Hearings and Settlement
Section 161.154. Categorization of Violations
Section 161.155. Filing of Complaint; Contents
Section 161.1551. Standing Preliminary Review Committee
Section 161.156. Processing of Complaint
Section 161.157. Retaliation Against County Employee Reporting Violation of Ethics Code Prohibited
Section 161.158. Preliminary Review: Initiation
Section 161.159. Preliminary Review: Response by Respondent
Section 161.160. Preliminary Review: Written Questions
Section 161.161. Preliminary Review and Preliminary Review Procedures
Section 161.162. Preliminary Review Hearing: Procedure
Section 161.163. Preliminary Review Hearing: Resolution
Section 161.164. Formal Hearing: Standard of Evidence
Section 161.165. Formal Hearing: Subpoenas and Witnesses
Section 161.166. Formal Hearing: Procedure
Section 161.167. Formal Hearing: Resolution
Section 161.168. Status of Complaint
Section 161.169. Extension of Deadline
Section 161.171. Status of Complainant
Section 161.172. Applicability of Other Acts
Section 161.173. Confidentiality; Offense
Section 161.174. Availability of Commission Orders on Internet