The Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board proposes amendments to §157.11, Contested Cases; Entry of Appearance; Continuance to change the current process of referring contested cases to the State Office of Administrative Hearings to the use of the agency's in-house administrative law judge as enacted by SB382.

Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, has determined that for the first five-year period the section is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the rule.

Mr. Thorburn also has determined that for each year of the first five years the amendments are in effect, the public benefit will expedite the complaint process by utilizing the agency's in house administrative law judge. There will be no effect on small businesses. There will be no cost to individuals who are required to comply with the proposed amendments.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to Wayne Thorburn, Commissioner, Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Board, P.O. Box 12188, Austin, Texas 78711-2188.

The amendments are proposed under the Texas Appraiser Licensing and Certification Act, Subchapter D, Board Powers and Duties (Occupations Code, Chapter 1103), which provides the board with authority to adopt rules under §1103.151, Rules Relating to Certification and Licenses.

No other code, article, or statute is affected by this proposal.