1. (a) To review the decision of the hearing officer, the appeals panel considers the appellant's request, the respondent's response, and the record of the benefit contested case hearing. The parties do not appear in person before the panel.

2. (b) The appeals panel may:

   1. (1) reverse the decision of the hearing officer and render a new decision; or
   2. (2) reverse the decision of the hearing officer and remand to the hearing officer for a second benefit contested case hearing, which shall be set as provided by §142.18 of this title (relating to Special Provisions for Cases on Remand from the Appeals Panel). The appeals panel may not remand a case more than once.

Source Note:The provisions of this §143.2 adopted to be effective March 7, 1991, 16 TexReg 1195; amended to be effective December 13, 2009, 34 TexReg 8739.