(a) The purpose of this subchapter is to provide an alternative disciplinary procedure for certain violations of the Bingo Enabling Act (Act) and the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules (Rules) in which the Director of the Charitable Bingo Operations Division seeks to facilitate expeditious resolution of cases and encourage settlements.     
      (b) The list of statutory violations in the Expedited Administrative Penalty Chart is not an exclusive list of violations that may be expedited. The scope of this guideline will be limited to violations of the Bingo Enabling Act and/or the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules that are identified by the Director or their designee.     
      (c) Upon completion of an examination, inspection, audit, or investigation, and after which both parties have agreed that an alleged violation of the Bingo Enabling Act or the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules can be resolved expeditiously, the Director or their designee may cause a Notice of Administrative Violation and Settlement Agreement (NAVSA) to be issued to an authorized representative for the respondent.     
      (d) The NAVSA shall include the following information:      
        (1) date of the notice;       
        (2) names and addresses of both parties;       
        (3) a brief summary of the alleged violation;       
        (4) the dollar amount of the administrative penalty recommended by the Director or his designee;       
        (5) a brief explanation of the additional conditions required to ensure future compliance with the Act or Rules alleged to be violated;       
        (6) notice that an investigation, including an examination or audit, was conducted which alleges a violation was committed;       
        (7) a statement signed by an authorized representative for the respondent indicating the respondent agrees to the terms of the settlement being offered;       
        (8) notice that if the person does not accept the settlement offered, they may request an informal dispute resolution conference in accordance with §402.708 of this chapter or a hearing on the occurrence of the violation, the amount of the penalty or both; and       
        (9) notice that if the person does not accept the settlement offered or request a hearing, the Commission may seek the maximum penalty authorized for the violation under the Bingo Enabling Act and the Charitable Bingo Administrative Rules, which may include revocation, suspension or denial of the person's license or worker registration, or application for a license or worker registration as applicable.       
      (e) The respondent shall have 20 calendar days from the date the respondent receives the NAVSA to accept the recommendation of the Director, including the recommended administrative penalty; or make a written request for a hearing on the determination. The respondent shall have 10 calendar days from the date the respondent receives the NAVSA to request an informal dispute resolution conference, which must occur within 20 calendar days of the respondent's receipt of the NAVSA. If notification of acceptance or the written request for a hearing is not made within 20 days, or if an informal dispute resolution conference does not resolve the dispute, the Director shall cause a hearing to be set and give notice of the hearing to the respondent. The opportunity for an agreement in accordance with this subsection will expire.     
      (f) After the NAVSA is accepted and returned to the Commission, the NAVSA will be forwarded to the Director for final approval and a copy will be forwarded to the respondent along with the Order. The respondent will have 60 days from the date of the Order to pay the recommended administrative penalty. Failure to comply with the terms of this Agreement may result in the imposition of a more severe degree of penalty which may include the revocation, suspension, denial of the license or worker registration, or removal from the worker registry as applicable.     
      (g) If a person is charged with a repeat violation that may be expedited within 36 months (3 years) of the first violation, then the penalty for a repeat violation will be imposed according to the Expedited Administrative Penalty Chart for repeat violations.      
        Attached Graphic       
     Source Note:        The provisions of this §402.707 adopted to be effective April 25, 2006, 31 TexReg 3383; amended to be effective August 1, 2016, 41 TexReg 5505; amended to be effective January 4, 2024, 48 TexReg 8369