(a) The requirements in this section and §55.255 of this title (relating to Commission Action on Hearing Request) apply only to hearing requests that are filed within the time period specified in §55.251(d) of this title (relating to Requests for Contested Case Hearing, Public Comment).
(b) The executive director shall file a statement with the chief clerk indicating that technical review of the application is complete. The executive director will file the statement with the chief clerk either before or after public notice of the application is issued.
(c) After a hearing request is filed and the executive director has filed a statement that technical review of the application is complete, the chief clerk shall process the hearing request by both:
  (1) referring the application and hearing request to the alternative dispute resolution director. The alternative dispute resolution director shall try to resolve any dispute between the applicant and the person making the request for hearing; and
  (2) scheduling the hearing request for a commission meeting. The chief clerk shall attempt to schedule the request for a commission meeting that will be held approximately 44 days after the later of the following:
    (A) the deadline to request a hearing specified in the public notice of the application; or
    (B) the date the executive director filed the statement that technical review is complete.
(d) The chief clerk shall mail notice to the applicant, executive director, public interest counsel, and the persons making a timely hearing request at least 35 days before the first meeting at which the commission considers the request. The chief clerk shall explain how the person may submit public comment to the executive director, describe alternative dispute resolution under commission rules, explain that the agency may hold a public meeting, and explain the requirements of this chapter.
(e) The executive director, the public interest counsel, and the applicant may submit written responses to the hearing request no later than 23 days before the commission meeting at which the commission will evaluate the hearing request. Responses shall be filed with the chief clerk, and served on the same day to the applicant, the executive director, the public interest counsel, the External Relations Division, and any persons filing hearing requests.
(f) The person who filed the hearing request may submit a written reply to a response no later than nine days before the scheduled commission meeting at which the commission will evaluate the hearing request. A reply may also contain additional information responding to the letter by the chief clerk required by subsection (d) of this section. 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.
(g) The executive director or the applicant may file a request with the chief clerk that the application be sent directly to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) for a hearing on the application. If a request is filed under this subsection, the commission's scheduled consideration of the hearing request will be canceled. An application may only be sent to SOAH under this subsection if the executive director, the applicant, the public interest counsel and all timely hearing requestors agree on a list of issues and a maximum expected duration of the hearing.

Source Note: The provisions of this §55.254 adopted to be effective October 20, 1999, 24 TexReg 9015; amended to be effective May 14, 2020, 45 Texeg 3079