SECTION 157.1042. Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) Administrative law judge--A member or employee of the agency or other individual assigned to issue a proposal for decision, to render a decision, or to make findings of fact or conclusions of law.

(2) Agency--The Texas Education Agency.

(3) Board--The board of trustees of a public school district.

(4) Commissioner--The commissioner of education, or one who has been designated by the commissioner to perform a task.

(5) Disqualification--When an administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, permanently forbids a party representative from any further participation in an adjudicative proceeding.

(6) Exclusion--When an administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, ejects a person temporarily from an adjudicative proceeding.

(7) Hearing--An adjudicative process from initiation until final decision.

(8) Independent hearing examiner--a person certified by the commissioner to hold hearings pursuant to the Texas Education Code, Chapter 21, Subchapter F (Hearings Before Hearings Examiners).

(9) Party representative--A lawyer or non-lawyer who acts on behalf of himself or herself or who is authorized to act on behalf of a party during the hearing.

Source Note: The provisions of this §157.1042 adopted to be effective April 7, 1993, 18 TexReg 1928; amended to be effective July 20, 2004, 29 TexReg 6887