1. (a) All hearings on matters not confidential or privileged by law, or both, shall be open to the public.
2. (b) Appropriate federal and state constitutional provisions, statutes, regulations, and judicial precedent establishing the confidential or privileged nature of information presented shall be given effect by the hearing officer.
3. (c) To effect this provision, the hearing officer shall have the authority to close the hearing to the extent necessary to protect against the improper disclosure of confidential and/or privileged information.

Source Note:The provisions of this §147.1 adopted to be effective November 23, 1993, 18 TexReg 8229; amended to be effective February 5, 2004, 29 TexReg 1210.