The State Board of Dental Examiners adopts amendments to §107.11, relating to Definitions; amendments to §107.15, relating to Computation of Time; amendments to §107.17, relating to Service in Non-rulemaking Proceedings; amendments to §107.21, relating to Appearances Personally or by Representative; new §107.22, relating to Pleading; new §107.23, relating to Commencement of Formal Disciplinary Proceedings; new §107.24, relating to Respondent's Answer in a Disciplinary Matter; new §107.25, relating to Formal Proceedings; new §107.47, relating to Depositions; amendments to §107.48, relating to Subpoenas; amendments to §107.50, relating to Filing of Exceptions, Briefs, and Replies; amendments to §107.54, relating to Administrative Finality; amendments to §107.55, relating to Motions for Rehearing; and amendments to §107.63, relating to Informal Disposition and Alternative Dispute Resolution. The new and amended sections are adopted without changes to the proposed text as published in the May 21, 2010, issue of the Texas Register (35 TexReg 3923) and will not be republished.

The new and amended sections were suggested by staff and proposed by the Board to update and clarify the State Board of Dental Examiners' procedural rules. The new and amended sections provide clarification and consistency in the agency's procedural process and provide licensees and registrants with a better understanding of necessary procedural requirements. In addition, the new wording more accurately reflects current statutory provisions and integrates applicable Administrative Procedure Act statutes, SOAH rules, and Texas Rules of Civil Procedure rules.

No written comments were received regarding the new and amended sections.

The new and amended sections are adopted under Texas Government Code §§2001.021 et seq., and Texas Occupations Code §254.001, which provides the Board with the authority to adopt and enforce rules necessary for it to perform its duties.

The adopted sections affect Texas Occupations Code, Title 3, Subtitle D, and Texas Administrative Code, Title 22, Part 5.