Sec. 2008.052.  APPOINTMENT AND DUTIES OF CONVENER.  (a)  A state agency that proposes to engage in negotiated rulemaking shall appoint a convener to assist the agency in determining whether it is advisable to proceed.
(b)  The state agency may appoint an agency employee or contract with another individual to serve as the convener.  The convener may not have a financial or other interest in the outcome of the rulemaking process that would interfere with the person's impartial and unbiased service as the convener.
(c)  The convener shall assist the agency in identifying persons who are likely to be affected by the proposed rule, including persons who oppose the issuance of a rule.  The convener shall discuss with those persons or their representatives:
(1)  whether they are willing to participate in negotiated rulemaking;
(2)  whether the agency should engage in negotiated rulemaking to develop the proposed rule;
(3)  which issues that a negotiated rulemaking committee should address;  and
(4)  whether there are other persons the convener needs to identify who may be affected by the proposed rule.
(d)  The convener shall then recommend to the agency whether negotiated rulemaking is a feasible method to develop the proposed rule and shall report to the agency on the relevant considerations, including:
(1)  the number of identifiable interests that would be significantly affected by the proposed rule;
(2)  the probability that those interests would be adequately represented in a negotiated rulemaking;
(3)  the probable willingness and authority of the representatives of affected interests to negotiate in good faith;
(4)  the probability that a negotiated rulemaking committee would reach a unanimous or a suitable general consensus on the proposed rule;
(5)  the probability that negotiated rulemaking will not unreasonably delay notice and eventual adoption of the proposed rule;
(6)  the adequacy of agency and citizen resources to participate in negotiated rulemaking;
(7)  the probability that the negotiated rulemaking committee will provide a balanced representation between public and regulated interests;  and
(8)  the willingness of the agency to accept the consensus of a negotiated rulemaking committee as the basis for the proposed rule.
Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1315, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.