(a) Any party to the proceeding may, within 20 days after date of service of a proposal for decision, file with the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) exceptions to the proposal and may submit briefs in support of such exceptions; replies to exceptions and reply briefs may be filed within 15 days after date for filing of such exceptions and briefs. A request for extension of time within which to file exceptions, briefs, or replies may be filed with the SOAH, and the SOAH shall promptly notify the parties of its action upon such requests.     
      (b) Briefs, exceptions, and replies shall be of the size and shall conform as near as may be to the form prescribed for applications and other pleadings.     
      (c) The administrative law judge may amend the proposal for decision pursuant to exceptions, briefs, and replies to exceptions and briefs, without the proposal for decision again being served on the parties.     
      (d) The administrative law judge shall submit the proposal for decision to the board of trustees, with a copy to each party.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §101.18 adopted to be effective July 27, 1976, 1 TexReg 1929; amended to be effective January 27, 2000, 25 TexReg 389