| (a) An independent hearing examiner shall be compensated
at the rate of $125 per hour for billable professional services. Billable
professional services are activities that directly relate to implementing
a hearing assignment, including prehearing and post-hearing telephone
conferences; drafting and reviewing correspondence, documents, and
evidence; participating in an evidentiary hearing; and drafting and
finalizing an opinion or recommendation.
(b) An independent hearing examiner is eligible to
receive a maximum compensation of $10,000 for each case. This amount
may not be increased.
(c) While conducting a hearing, an independent hearing
examiner is entitled to receive per diem and expenses at rates established
by the State of Texas for overnight travel related to official state
business. Per diem includes food, lodging, and transportation. (See https://fmx.cpa.state.tx.us/fm/travel/travelrates.php)
(d) An independent hearing examiner is entitled to
reimbursement for expenses directly related to the hearing such as
long distance telephone calls, postage to the parties or to the commissioner
of education, cost of copies, or facsimiles. An independent hearing
examiner may not be reimbursed for expenses arising from legal research
such as computerized legal research services. An independent hearing
examiner may not be reimbursed for expenses related to acquiring research
materials or for registration fees to attend required continuing legal
education seminars and conferences.
(e) All billings and claims for reimbursement shall
be prepared pursuant to this section and shall be presented to the
school district for payment. Compensable hourly services shall be
billed in quarter-hour increments. An independent hearing examiner
may not be compensated for services rendered by any other person.
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| Source Note: The provisions of this §157.1101 adopted to be effective May 8, 1996, 21 TexReg 3708; amended to be effective May 7, 2006, 31 TexReg 3533; amended to be effective May 28, 2012, 37 TexReg 3829 |
