(a) This section and §55.211 of this title (relating to Commission Action on Requests for Reconsideration or Contested Case Hearing) apply only to requests for reconsideration and contested case hearing that are timely filed.
(b) After the final deadline to submit requests for reconsideration or contested case hearing, the chief clerk shall process any requests for reconsideration or hearing by both:
  (1) referring the application and requests for reconsideration or contested case hearing to the alternative dispute resolution director. The alternative dispute resolution director shall try to resolve any dispute between the applicant and the requestors; and
  (2) scheduling the hearing request and request for reconsideration for a commission meeting. However, if only a request for reconsideration is submitted and the commission has delegated its authority to act on the request to the general counsel, the request for reconsideration shall be scheduled for a commission meeting only if the general counsel directs the chief clerk to do so. The chief clerk should try to schedule the requests for a commission meeting that will be held approximately 44 days after the final deadline for timely filed requests for reconsideration or contested case hearing.
(c) The chief clerk shall mail notice to the applicant, executive director, public interest counsel, and all timely commenters and requestors at least 35 days before the first meeting at which the commission considers the requests. The notice shall explain how to participate in the commission decision, describe alternative dispute resolution under commission rules, and explain the relevant requirements of this chapter.
(d) The executive director, the public interest counsel, and the applicant may submit written responses to the requests no later than 23 days before the commission meeting at which the commission will evaluate the requests. Responses shall be filed with the chief clerk and served on the same day to the executive director, the public interest counsel, the director of the External Relations Division, the applicant, and any requestors.
(e) Responses to hearing requests must specifically address:
  (1) whether the requestor is an affected person;
  (2) which issues raised in the hearing request are disputed;
  (3) whether the dispute involves questions of fact or of law;
  (4) whether the issues were raised during the public comment period;
  (5) whether the hearing request is based on issues raised solely in a public comment withdrawn by the commenter in writing by filing a withdrawal letter with the chief clerk prior to the filing of the Executive Director's Response to Comment;
  (6) whether the issues are relevant and material to the decision on the application; and
  (7) a maximum expected duration for the contested case hearing.
(f) Responses to requests for reconsideration should address the issues raised in the request.
(g) The requestors may submit written replies to a response no later than nine days before the commission meeting at which the commission will evaluate the request for reconsideration and contested case hearing. A reply shall be filed with the chief clerk and served on the same day to the executive director, the public interest counsel, and the applicant.

Source Note: The provisions of this §55.209 adopted to be effective October 20, 1999, 24 TexReg 9015; amended to be effective December 27, 2001, 26 TexReg 10606; amended to be effective May 14, 2020, 45 TexReg 3079