(a) The ALJ shall prepare a proposal for decision that includes the ALJ's recommendations for a final decision and the reasons for the proposed decision.
  (1) The ALJ shall issue the proposal for decision to the deputy comptroller within 30 calendar days of the date the hearing is conducted.
  (2) The ALJ's proposal for decision shall be issued to the deputy comptroller by filing the proposal for decision with the comptroller's Special Counsel for Tax Hearings via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, email or an electronic filing and service system utilized by SOAH.
  (3) On the same date the ALJ issues the proposal for decision to the deputy comptroller, the ALJ shall serve a copy of the proposal for decision on all other parties via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, email, or an electronic filing and service system utilized by SOAH
(b) A party to the protest that is adversely affected by the proposal for decision may, within seven calendar days after the date the proposed final decision is served, file with the deputy comptroller exceptions to the proposal for decision.
  (1) Exceptions to the proposal for decision, if any, shall be filed with the deputy comptroller by filing the exceptions with the comptroller's Special Counsel for Tax Hearings via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, or email.
  (2) On the same date the exceptions to the proposal for decision are filed, the excepting party shall serve a copy of the exceptions to all other parties via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, or email.
(c) Within seven calendar days after the exceptions are filed and served in accordance with subsection (b) of this section, all other parties not filing exceptions may file replies to the exceptions with the deputy comptroller.
  (1) The replies to the exceptions, if any, shall be filed with the deputy comptroller by filing the replies with the comptroller's Special Counsel for Tax Hearings via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, or email.
  (2) On the same date the replies to exceptions are filed with the deputy comptroller, the party filing the replies shall serve a copy of the replies with all other parties via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, or email.
(d) The deputy comptroller shall issue a final order and, in doing so, may adopt, amend, or reject the ALJ's proposal for decision. A decision is final on the date signed by the deputy comptroller. The deputy comptroller shall deliver written notice of the final decision to each party to the protest via hand delivery, overnight delivery service, facsimile, or email.

Source Note: The provisions of this §9.4315 adopted to be effective July 19, 2021, 46 TexReg 4358