Sec. 201.504.  INFORMAL PROCEEDINGS; REFUNDS.  (a)  The board by rule shall adopt procedures governing:
(1)  informal disposition of a contested case under Section 2001.056, Government Code;  and
(2)  an informal proceeding held in compliance with Section 2001.054, Government Code.
(b)  Rules adopted under Subsection (a) must:
(1)  provide the complainant and the license holder an opportunity to be heard;  and
(2)  require the presence of a representative of the attorney general or the board's legal counsel to advise the board or the board's employees.
(c)  Subject to Subsection (d), the board may order a license holder to pay a refund to a consumer as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal settlement conference instead of or in addition to imposing an administrative penalty under this chapter.
(d)  The amount of a refund ordered as provided in an agreement resulting from an informal settlement conference may not exceed the amount the consumer paid to the license holder for a service regulated by this chapter.  The board may not require payment of other damages or estimate harm in a refund order.
Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 388, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1999.
Amended by: 
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1020 (H.B. 972), Sec. 30, eff. September 1, 2005.
Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch. 1020 (H.B. 972), Sec. 31, eff. September 1, 2005.