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. |
