Sec. 203.004.  NEGOTIATED RULEMAKING; ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION.  (a)  The board shall develop and implement a policy to encourage the use of:
(1)  negotiated rulemaking procedures under Chapter 2008, Government Code, for the adoption of department rules; and
(2)  appropriate alternative dispute resolution procedures under Chapter 2009, Government Code, to assist in the resolution of internal and external disputes under the department's jurisdiction.
(b)  The department's procedures relating to alternative dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state agencies.
(c)  The department shall:
(1)  coordinate the implementation of the policy adopted under Subsection (a);
(2)  provide training as needed to implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative dispute resolution; and
(3)  collect data concerning the effectiveness of those procedures.
Added by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 85 (S.B. 653), Sec. 1.002, eff. September 1, 2011.