(a) General rule. Unless otherwise specified by statute, by this chapter, or by order of the presiding officer, a responsive pleading, if made, shall be filed by a party within five working days after receipt of the pleading to which the response is made. Responsive pleadings shall state the date of receipt of the pleading to which response is made. Unless the presiding officer is advised otherwise, it shall be presumed that all pleadings are received within five days of the filing date.
(b) Responses to complaints. Unless otherwise specified by statute, by this chapter, or by order of the presiding officer, responsive pleadings to complaints filed to initiate a proceeding shall be filed within 21 days of the receipt of the complaint. This subsection does not apply to complaints filed under PURA, chapter 36, subchapter D or chapter 53, subchapter D, or for a complaint filed under TWC §13.004 (relating to Jurisdiction of Utility Commission Over Certain Water Supply or Sewer Service Corporations).
(c) Emergency action. Unless otherwise precluded by law or this chapter, the presiding officer may take action on a pleading before the deadline for filing responsive pleadings when necessary to prevent or mitigate imminent harm or injury to persons or to real or personal property. Harm or injury shall also include items affecting the ability of any provider to compete. Action taken under this subsection is subject to modification based on a timely responsive pleading.
(d) PURA, Chapter 36, Subchapter D or Chapter 53, Subchapter D Investigations or Complaints. In a complaint proceeding filed under PURA, chapter 36, subchapter D or chapter 53, subchapter D, the presiding officer shall determine the scope of the response that the electric or telecommunications utility shall be required to file, up to and including the filing of a full rate filing package. The presiding officer shall also set an appropriate deadline for the electric or telecommunications utility’s response.

Source Note: The provisions of this §22.78 adopted to be effective November 1, 1993, 18 TexReg 6641; amended to be effective September 8, 1995, 20 TexReg 6627; amended to be effective September 23, 1999, 24 TexReg 7401; amended to be effective December 4, 2016, 41 TexReg 9472