(a) Contents of a motion for continuance. A request to postpone or delay a hearing or prehearing conference shall include:

(1) a statement of the number of motions for continuance previously filed in the case by each party;

(2) the specific reason for the continuance;

(3) at least three proposed dates for the rescheduled proceeding or a deadline by which the movant will confer with the non-moving parties to submit three agreed proposed dates; and

(4) a certificate of conference that complies substantially with one of the examples set out in §155.305(b)(2) of this subchapter.

(b) Contents of a motion to extend time. A request for more time to file a document or respond to discovery shall include:

(1) a statement of the number of extension requests previously sought in the case by the movant;

(2) the specific reason for the request;

(3) a proposed date for the deadline the movant seeks to extend; and

(4) a certificate of conference that complies substantially with one of the examples set out in §155.305(b)(2) of this subchapter.

(c) Date of filing. Motions for continuance or to extend time shall be filed no later than five days before the date of the proceeding or deadline at issue or shall state good cause for presenting the motion after that time. If the judge finds good cause has been demonstrated, the judge may consider a motion filed after that time or presented orally at the proceeding.

(d) Date of service. Motions for continuance or extension shall be served in accordance with §155.105 of this chapter. However, a motion for continuance that is filed five days or less before the date of the proceeding shall be served:

(1) by hand-delivery, fax, or email on the same day it is filed with SOAH, if feasible; or

(2) if same-day service is not feasible, by overnight delivery on the next business day.

(e) Responses to motions for continuance. Responses to motions for continuance shall be in writing, except a response to a motion for continuance made on the date of the proceeding may be presented orally at the proceeding. Unless otherwise ordered or allowed by the judge, responses to motions for continuance shall be made by the earlier of:

(1) three days after receipt of the motion; or

(2) the date and time of the proceeding.

(f) Responses to motions to extend time. Unless otherwise ordered by the judge, responses to motions for extension of a deadline are due three days after receipt of the motion.

(g) A motion for continuance or extension of time is not granted until it has been ruled on by the judge, even if the motion is uncontested or agreed. A case is subject to default or dismissal for a party's failure to appear at a scheduled hearing in which a motion for continuance has not been ruled on by the judge, even when the motion is agreed or unopposed.

Source Note: The provisions of this §155.307 adopted to be effective November 26, 2008, 33 TexReg 9451; amended to be effective January 1, 2017, 41 TexReg 8593