1. (a) Except as agreed by the parties, an award of costs of an arbitration is at the discretion of the arbitration tribunal.

2. (b) In making an order for costs:

   1. (1) the arbitration tribunal may include any expenses incurred in connection with the arbitration, including:

      1. (A) the fees and expenses of the arbitrators and expert witnesses;
      2. (B) legal fees and expenses; and
      3. (C) administration fees of the institution supervising the arbitration; and

   2. (2) the tribunal may specify:

      1. (A) the party entitled to costs;
      2. (B) the party required to pay costs;
      3. (C) the amount of costs or method of determining that amount; and
      4. (D) the manner in which the costs are to be paid.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 165, Sec. 5.02, eff. Sept. 1, 1997.