(a) Policy. It is the Board's policy to encourage the use of negotiated rulemaking in appropriate situations. When the Securities Commissioner finds that a rule to be proposed is likely to be complex, controversial, or affect disparate groups, the Commissioner may propose to engage in negotiated rulemaking in accordance with the Government Code, Chapter 2008.     
      (b) Appointment and duties of convener.      
        (1) The Deputy Securities Commissioner or the Deputy's designee shall serve as the negotiated rulemaking convener.       
        (2) The convener shall assist in identifying persons who are likely to be affected by a proposed rule, including those who oppose issuance of a rule. The convener shall discuss the items listed in Government Code, §2008.052(c), with those persons or their representatives.       
        (3) The convener shall then recommend to the Commissioner whether negotiated rulemaking is a feasible method to develop the proposed rule and shall report on the relevant considerations, including those listed in §2008.052(d).       
      (c) Notice of intent to engage in negotiated rulemaking. After considering the convener's recommendation and report, the Commissioner may direct the Agency Staff to engage in negotiated rulemaking in accordance with the provisions of Government Code, Chapter 2008, and authorize the Agency Staff to perform the duties and requirements set forth in Chapter 2008, including providing any required notices, establishing a negotiated rulemaking committee, and appointing the members of the committee, and appointing a facilitator.     
      (d) Duties of the negotiated rulemaking committee and facilitator.      
        (1) The facilitator shall preside over meetings of the negotiated rulemaking committee and assist the committee in establishing procedures for conducting negotiations and in attempting to arrive at a consensus on the proposed rule.       
        (2) At the conclusion of negotiations, the negotiated rulemaking committee shall send a written report to the Commissioner as provided in Government Code, §2008.056(d).       
      (e) Notice and comment rulemaking. After considering the negotiated rulemaking committee's report, if the Commissioner intends to proceed with the rulemaking process, the Commissioner shall present the proposed rule to the Board for consideration in accordance with Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter B.     
      (f) Rulemaking coordinator. The Board's Deputy Commissioner, or designee, shall act as the designated negotiated rulemaking coordinator to coordinate the implementation of the policy set out in subsection (a) of this section, serve as a resource for any staff training or education needed to implement negotiated rulemaking procedures, and collect data to evaluate the effectiveness of the implementation of negotiated rulemaking procedures.     
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §103.6 adopted to be effective November 12, 2019, 44 TexReg 6857; amended to be effective July 6, 2023, 48 TexReg 3497