Sec. 2003.042. POWERS OF ADMINISTRATIVE LAW JUDGE. (a) An administrative law judge employed by the office or a temporary administrative law judge may:
(1) administer an oath;
(2) take testimony;
(3) rule on a question of evidence;
(4) issue an order relating to discovery or another hearing or prehearing matter, including an order imposing a sanction;
(5) issue an order that refers a case to an alternative dispute resolution procedure, determines how the costs of the procedure will be apportioned, and appoints an impartial third party as described by Section 2009.053 to facilitate that procedure;
(6) issue a proposal for decision that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law;
(7) if expressly authorized by a state agency rule adopted under Section 2001.058(f), make the final decision in a contested case;
(8) serve as an impartial third party as described by Section 2009.053 for a dispute referred by an administrative law judge, unless one of the parties objects to the appointment; and
(9) serve as an impartial third party as described by Section 2009.053 for a dispute referred by a government agency under a contract.
(b) An administrative law judge may not serve as an impartial third party for a dispute that the administrative law judge refers to an alternative dispute resolution procedure.
Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 605, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 934, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1167, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 62, Sec. 19.02(10), eff. Sept. 1, 1999; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1352, Sec. 8, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Structure Texas Statutes
Subtitle A - Administrative Procedure and Practice
Chapter 2003 - State Office of Administrative Hearings
Subchapter C. Staff and Administration
Section 2003.041. Employment of Administrative Law Judges
Section 2003.0411. Senior and Master Administrative Law Judges
Section 2003.0412. Ex Parte Consultations
Section 2003.042. Powers of Administrative Law Judge
Section 2003.043. Temporary Administrative Law Judge
Section 2003.045. Oversight of Administrative Law Judges
Section 2003.046. Central Hearings Panel
Section 2003.047. Hearings for Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Section 2003.049. Utility Hearings
Section 2003.050. Procedural Rules
Section 2003.051. Role of Referring Agency
Section 2003.052. Handling of Complaints
Section 2003.053. Equal Employment Opportunity Policy
Section 2003.055. Effective Use of Technology