SECTION 32.1. Definitions

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

(1) Act--The Administrative Procedure Act, Texas Government Code, Chapter 2001.

(2) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ)--A person designated by the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) to conduct proceedings pursuant to the Act.

(3) Commission--The Texas Animal Health Commission.

(4) Commissioner--A member of the commission appointed by the Governor.

(5) Contested case--A proceeding in which the legal rights, duties, or privileges of a party are to be determined by the commission pursuant to the Act after an opportunity for adjudicative hearing.

(6) Executive director--The executive director of the Texas Animal Health Commission.

(7) Final order--The commission's final written disposition of a contested case, whether affirmative, negative, injunctive, or declaratory.

(8) Party--A person or agency named or admitted as an applicant, complainant, petitioner, intervenor, protestant, or respondent in a proceeding before the commission.

(9) Person--An individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, or public or private organization of any character.

Source Note: The provisions of this §32.1 adopted to be effective December 18, 1992, 17 TexReg 8287; amended to be effective September 6, 1998, 23 TexReg 8828; amended to be effective February 15, 2024, 49 TexReg 633