The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) Administrative Law Judge--An individual designated by the State Office of Administrative Hearings or by the Commissioner to act as a hearings examiner in a contested case under the Administrative Procedures Act.
2. (2) Administrative Hearings Clerk--An individual designated by the State Office of Administrative Hearings or by the Commissioner to administer case filings in contested case hearings.
3. (3) Agency--The General Land Office.
4. (4) APA--The Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code, Chapter 2001).
5. (5) Authorized representative--An attorney authorized to practice law in the State of Texas or, where permitted by applicable law, a person designated by a party to represent the party.
6. (6) Commissioner--The Commissioner of the General Land Office.
7. (7) Contested case--Shall have the same meaning as such term is defined in the Administrative Procedure Act (Government Code, Chapter 2001).
8. (8) Law--Applicable state and federal law.
9. (9) Party--A person named, or admitted to participate, in a contested case before the General Land Office.
10. (10) Person--Any individual, representative, corporation, or other entity, including any public or nonprofit corporation, or any agency or instrumentality of federal, state, or local government.
11. (11) Proposal for decision--A proposed decision issued by the hearings examiner in accordance with APA, §2001.062.
12. (12) SOAH--State Office of Administrative Hearings.

Source Note:The provisions of this §2.2 adopted to be effective January 9, 2003, 28 TexReg 479.