(a) Purpose. The purpose of this chapter is to provide a system of procedures for practice before the Texas Medical Board, the Texas Physician Assistant Board, and the Texas State Board of Acupuncture Examiners, and to govern the formal disposition of contested cases at SOAH, as required by Section 164.007(a) of the Act, that will promote just and efficient disposition of proceedings and public participation in the decision-making process. The provisions of this chapter shall be given a fair and impartial construction to obtain these objectives.
(b) Scope.
  (1) This chapter shall govern the initiation, conduct, and determination of proceedings required or permitted by law, including proceedings referred to SOAH.
  (2) This chapter shall not be construed so as to enlarge, diminish, modify, or otherwise alter the jurisdiction, powers or authority of the board, board staff, or the substantive rights of any person.
  (3) This chapter shall control the practice and procedure of all board proceedings to include SOAH proceedings.

Source Note: The provisions of this §187.1 adopted to be effective January 6, 2002, 26 TexReg 10867; amended to be effective November 7, 2004, 29 TexReg 10113; amended to be effective January 25, 2006, 31 TexReg 394