(a) It is the Board's policy to encourage the fair and expeditious resolution of all formal complaint matters through voluntary settlement procedures. The Board's Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) procedures are set out in this subchapter, however, the Board encourages the resolution of disputes at any time, whether under this subchapter or not.
(b) ADR may be requested by the Board, a respondent or an applicant any time after the Board initiates a formal complaint against a respondent or denies an application.
(c) This subchapter may apply to a contested case upon unanimous motion of the parties and at the discretion of the administrative law judge. In such cases, it is within the discretion of the judge to grant a continuance of the hearing to allow the use of ADR.
(d) A contingent dismissal is a method of alternative dispute resolution available only at the discretion of the Board and its staff. An administrative law judge may not recommend a contingent dismissal as a method to resolve a contested case.

Source Note: The provisions of this §157.30 adopted to be effective September 11, 2013, 38 TexReg 5877; amended to be effective May 14, 2018, 43 TexReg 3097; amended to be effective May 26, 2022, 47 TexReg 3049