Sec. 40.004.  PUBLIC INTEREST INFORMATION AND PUBLIC ACCESS.  (a)  The commissioner shall develop and implement policies that provide the public with a reasonable opportunity to appear before the commissioner and to speak on any issue under the jurisdiction of the department.
(b)  The commissioner, with the advice of the council, shall prepare information of public interest describing the functions of the department.  The commission shall make the information available to the public and appropriate state agencies.
(c)  The commissioner shall grant an opportunity for a public hearing before the council makes recommendations to the commissioner regarding a substantive rule if a public hearing is requested by:
(1)  at least 25 persons;
(2)  a governmental entity;  or
(3)  an association with at least 25 members.
(d)  The executive commissioner shall consider fully all written and oral submissions about a proposed rule.
Added by Acts 1995, 74th Leg., ch. 920, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1995.  Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1022, Sec. 4, eff. Sept. 1, 1997;  Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 198, Sec. 1.12, eff. Sept. 1, 2003.