| (a) The board may hold public hearings:
(1) to consider the adoption of rules;
(2) in accordance with the programs operated by the
department; and
(3) to provide, when deemed appropriate by the board
or when otherwise required by law, for public input regarding any
other issue under the jurisdiction of the board.
(b) The executive director or designee may conduct
public hearings held under subsection (a)(2) and (3) of this section.
(c) Public hearings shall be conducted in a manner
that maximizes public access and input while maintaining proper decorum
and orderliness, and shall be governed by the following guidelines:
(1) Questioning of those making presentations shall
be reserved to board members, the executive director, or if applicable,
the presiding officer.
(2) Organizations, associations, or groups are encouraged
to present their commonly held views and same or similar comments
through a representative member where possible.
(3) Presentations shall remain pertinent to the issue
being discussed.
(4) A person who disrupts a public hearing shall leave
the hearing room and premises if ordered to do so by the chair or
the presiding officer.
(5) Time allotted to one speaker may not be reassigned
to another speaker.
(d) Persons with disabilities, who have special communication
or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a hearing to be held
by the board, may contact the department in Austin. In the case of
a hearing conducted by the department, those persons may contact the
public affairs officer, whose address and telephone number appear
in the public notice for that hearing, to request auxiliary aids or
services. Requests shall be made at least two days before the hearing.
The department shall make every reasonable effort to accommodate these
needs.
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