SECTION 156.157. Qualifications of Arbitrators

(a) The chief judge may appoint as an arbitrator any SOAH administrative law judge.

(b) A potential arbitrator who is not a SOAH administrative law judge shall be on an approved list of a nationally recognized association that performs arbitration services or meet the following minimum standards:

(1) Have at least five years of experience in health care and/or the legal profession and/or alternative dispute resolution with recognized expertise in his/her profession(s).

(2) Have the attributes necessary to be a successful arbitrator, including expertise, honesty, integrity, impartiality, and the ability to manage the arbitration process.

(3) May not represent any plaintiff in a proceeding seeking monetary damages from the State of Texas or any of its agencies, and he/she must affirm that he/she will not undertake any such representation during the pendency of the arbitration proceeding.

(c) The chief judge may remove an arbitrator if she/he determines that the arbitrator no longer meets the qualifications listed in this section. The determination of the chief judge in this matter is conclusive.

Source Note: The provisions of this §156.157 adopted to be effective June 17, 2015, 40 TexReg 3627