In addition to the definitions contained in §800.2 and §801.23 of this title, the following words or terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. (1) Agency grantees--Grantees that receive funding from the Agency, such as Skills Development Fund, Wagner-Peyser 7(b), and Workforce Investment Act (WIA) statewide, to provide workforce services. (2) Appearance of a conflict of interest--A circumstance in which the action of a Board member, Board employee, workforce service provider, or workforce service provider employee in a decision-making position appears to be: (A) influenced by considerations of one or more of the following: gain to the person, entity, or organization for which the person has an employment interest, substantial financial interest, or other interest, whether direct or indirect (other than those consistent with the terms of the contract); or (B) motivated by design to gain improper influence over the Commission, the Agency, or the Board. (3) Board decision-making position--A position with a Board that has final decision-making authority or final recommendation authority on matters that directly affect workforce service providers. A Board decision-making position is one that performs the function of a Board's executive director, deputy executive director, chief financial officer, lead contract manager, or lead contract monitor. (4) Conflict of interest--A circumstance in which a Board member, Board employee, workforce service provider, or workforce service provider's employee is in a decision-making position and has a direct or indirect interest, particularly a substantial financial interest, that influences the individual's ability to perform job duties and fulfill responsibilities. (5) Corrective Action Plan--A plan developed and imposed by the Agency that requires a Board or Agency grantee to take Agency-identified actions within a specified time frame designed to correct specific instances of noncompliance or other failures. (6) Hearing--An informal, orderly, and readily available proceeding held before an impartial hearing officer at which a party or hearing representative may present evidence to show that the Agency's determination of sanctions shall be reversed, affirmed, or modified. (7) Hearing officer--An Agency employee designated to conduct hearings and issue proposals for decision. (8) Hearing representative--Any individual authorized by a party to assist the party in presenting the party's appeal. A hearing representative may be legal counsel or another individual. Each party may have a hearing representative to assist in presenting the party's appeal. (9) Level-one sanction--A sanction imposed by the Agency on a Board or Agency grantee for significant inability or failure to perform as required by the Agency, including performing or failing to perform due to a sanctionable act as described in this subchapter. A level-one sanction may be associated with the imposition of one or more penalties as referenced in this chapter. (10) Level-two sanction--A higher sanction than level one imposed by the Agency on a Board or Agency grantee for severe inability or failure to perform as required by the Agency, including performing or failing to perform due to a sanctionable act as described in this chapter. A level-two sanction may be associated with the imposition of more severe penalties than those imposed on a Board or Agency grantee under a level-one sanction. (11) Level-three sanction--The highest sanction level imposed by the Agency on a Board or Agency grantee for extreme inability or failure to perform as required by the Agency, including performing or failing to perform due to a sanctionable act as described in this chapter. A level-three sanction may be associated with the imposition of the most severe penalties imposed on the Board or Agency grantee. (12) Particular matter--A specific investigation, application, request for a ruling or determination, rulemaking proceeding, administrative proceeding, contract, claim, or judicial proceeding, or any other proceeding as defined in Texas Government Code §572.054(h)(2). (13) Party--The person or entity with the right to participate in a hearing authorized by applicable statute or rule. (14) Substantial financial interest--An interest in a business entity in which a person: (A) owns 10 percent or more of the stock, shares, fair market value, or other interest in the business entity; (B) owns more than $5,000 of the fair market value of the business entity; (C) owns real property if the interest is an equitable or legal ownership with a fair market value of $2,500 or more used for the business entity; (D) receives funds from the business entity that exceed 10 percent of the person's gross income for the previous year; (E) is a compensated member of the board of directors or other governing board of the business entity; (F) serves as an elected officer of the business entity; or (G) is related to a person in the first degree by consanguinity or affinity, as determined under Texas Government Code, Chapter 573, who has a substantial financial interest in the business entity, as listed in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of this section. First degree of consanguinity or affinity means the person's parent, child, adopted child, or spouse. (15) Workforce service provider--An entity or individual under contract with a Board to operate: (A) one or more Workforce Solutions Offices; or (B) one or more programs (e.g., child care) or components of one or more programs (e.g., issuing checks for youth participating in summer employment or performing child care billing). (16) Workforce service provider employee in a decision-making position--A position with a workforce service provider that includes the ability to commit or bind the provider to a particular course of action with respect to carrying out the provider's duties and activities under the contract. |
