1. (a) Parties. Parties to proceedings before the commission shall be classified into the following categories:

   1. (1) applicants or complainants;
   2. (2) respondents;
   3. (3) intervenors; and
   4. (4) general counsel or his designee.
2. (b) Rights of Parties. Subject to the alignment of the parties pursuant to §401.29 of this title (relating to Alignment of Parties), parties to proceedings have the right to present a direct case, cross-examine all witnesses, conduct discovery, make oral or written legal arguments, and otherwise fully participate in any proceeding. The legal staff shall have no right to seek judicial review of any commission decision.
3. (c) Protestants. Any person who has not intervened in a proceeding, or who has been denied permission to intervene, shall not be considered a party. The presiding officer may allow oral or written comments to be made by protestants.

Source Note:The provisions of this §401.23 adopted to be effective October 14, 1994, 19 TexReg 7800.