SECTION 206.23. Public Hearings

(a) The board may hold public hearings:

(1) to consider the adoption of rules;

(2) in accordance with the programs operated by the department; and

(3) to provide, when deemed appropriate by the board or when otherwise required by law, for public input regarding any other issue under the jurisdiction of the board.

(b) The executive director or designee may conduct public hearings held under subsection (a)(2) and (3) of this section.

(c) Public hearings shall be conducted in a manner that maximizes public access and input while maintaining proper decorum and orderliness, and shall be governed by the following guidelines:

(1) Questioning of those making presentations shall be reserved to board members, the executive director, or if applicable, the presiding officer.

(2) Organizations, associations, or groups are encouraged to present their commonly held views and same or similar comments through a representative member where possible.

(3) Presentations shall remain pertinent to the issue being discussed.

(4) A person who disrupts a public hearing shall leave the hearing room and premises if ordered to do so by the chair or the presiding officer.

(5) Time allotted to one speaker may not be reassigned to another speaker.

(d) Persons with disabilities, who have special communication or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a hearing to be held by the board, may contact the department in Austin. In the case of a hearing conducted by the department, those persons may contact the public affairs officer, whose address and telephone number appear in the public notice for that hearing, to request auxiliary aids or services. Requests shall be made at least two days before the hearing. The department shall make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

Source Note: The provisions of this §206.23 adopted to be effective February 4, 2010, 35 TexReg 654; amended to be effective June 25, 2015, 40 TexReg 4000