(a) General Procedure. All hearings shall be conducted de novo. The hearing shall be conducted informally and in such manner as to ascertain the substantive rights of the parties. The hearing officer shall develop the evidence. All issues relevant to the appeal shall be considered and addressed.
  (1) Presentation of Evidence. The parties to an appeal may present evidence that is material and relevant, as determined by the hearing officer. In conducting a hearing, the hearing officer shall actively develop the record on the relevant circumstances and facts to resolve all issues. To be considered as evidence in a decision, any document or physical evidence must be entered as an exhibit at the hearing. A party has the right to object to evidence offered at the hearing by the hearing officer or other parties.
  (2) Examination of Witnesses and Parties. The hearing officer shall examine parties and any witnesses under oath and shall allow cross-examination to the extent the hearing officer deems necessary to afford the parties due process.
  (3) Additional Evidence. The hearing officer, with or without notice to any of the parties, may take additional evidence deemed necessary, provided that a party shall be given an opportunity to rebut the evidence if it is to be used against the party's interest.
  (4) Appropriate Hearing Behavior. All parties shall conduct themselves in an appropriate manner. The hearing officer may expel any individual, including a party, who fails to correct behavior the hearing officer identifies as disruptive. After an expulsion, the hearing officer may proceed with the hearing and render a decision.
(b) Records.
  (1) The hearing record shall include the audio recording of the proceeding and any other relevant evidence relied on by the hearing officer, including documents and other physical evidence entered as exhibits.
  (2) The hearing record shall be maintained in accordance with federal or state law.
  (3) Confidentiality of information contained in the hearing record shall be maintained in accordance with federal and state law.
  (4) Upon request, a party has the right to obtain a copy of the hearing record, including recordings of the hearing and file documents at no charge.

Source Note: The provisions of this §823.24 adopted to be effective November 26, 2007, 32 TexReg 8546; amended to be effective January 25, 2021, 46 TexReg 607