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TITLE 22EXAMINING BOARDS
PART 22TEXAS STATE BOARD OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTANCY
CHAPTER 519PRACTICE AND PROCEDURE
SUBCHAPTER BCOMPLAINTS AND INVESTIGATIONS
RULE §519.24Committee Recommendations

(a) At the conclusion of its investigation the committee may make a recommendation to the board regarding the disposition of the investigation.

(b) The committee may recommend dismissal of the complaint if the committee determines:

  (1) the board lacks jurisdiction; or

  (2) there is insufficient evidence of a violation of the Act, board rules or board order; or

  (3) the respondent came into compliance with the Act, board rules or board order.

(c) The committee will inform the respondent of its recommendation but may, in its discretion, issue a confidential letter of comment stating the committee's concerns about respondent's practice and make suggestions that may improve respondent's practice. The committee's recommendation of dismissal is not final until it is ratified by the board in an open meeting.

(d) If the committee determines that there is a violation of the Act, board rules or board order, the committee may recommend disciplinary action. The committee may recommend any disciplinary sanction provided in §901.501 of the Act (relating to Disciplinary Powers of Board), singularly or in any combination. The respondent shall be notified of the committee's action.

(e) Upon a determination by the committee that there is a violation of the Act, board rule, or board order, the committee may offer respondent an agreed consent order containing the committee's findings of fact and conclusions of law, and proposed sanctions, administrative penalties and costs. The respondent shall be notified of the committee's determination by certified mail at the respondent's address on file with the board. The respondent shall have 20 calendar days to provide in writing Respondent's acceptance of the agreed consent order or request a hearing to contest the committee's determination in accordance with §519.3 of this chapter (relating to Computation of Time). Upon a showing of good cause, the 20 days may be extended. Failure to accept the proposed agreed consent order within the required time to respond shall be deemed a rejection.

(f) If the respondent does not accept the proposed agreed consent order and fails to request a hearing in writing within the required time, the executive director, after providing notice of hearing before the executive director and respondent failing to appear, may offer a proposed order containing the committee's findings of fact and conclusions of law and imposing disciplinary sanctions, and administrative penalties and costs for the board's consideration and ratification. A proposed order offered by the executive director is not final until it has been approved by the board.


Source Note: The provisions of this §519.24 adopted to be effective June 9, 2004, 29 TexReg 5628; amended to be effective October 15, 2008, 33 TexReg 8519; amended to be effective February 9, 2012, 37 TexReg 493; amended to be effective April 10, 2013, 38 TexReg 2223; amended to be effective December 7, 2016, 41 TexReg 9514

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