1. (a) The Hearing Officer may determine whether a witness may be excused under the rule that excludes witnesses from the hearing.

   1. (1) In no event shall the Hearing Officer exclude from the hearing a party under the authority of this section. For these purposes, the term "party" means the definition in §141.111 of this title (relating to Definition of Terms) and includes:

      1. (A) the releasee;
      2. (B) the releasee's attorney; and
      3. (C) no more than one representative of the Division who has acted or served in the capacity of supervising, advising, or agent officer in the case.
   2. (2) When the Hearing Officer determines that an individual who is present at the hearing and intended to be called by a party as a witness has no relevant, probative, noncumulative testimony to offer on any material issue of fact or law, then the Hearing Officer, in their his sound discretion, may determine that such individual should not be placed under the rule and excluded from the hearing.
2. (b) All witnesses who testify in person are subject to cross-examination unless the Hearing Officer specifically finds good cause for lack of confrontation and cross-examination.
3. (c) Witnesses personally served with a subpoena and who fail to appear at the hearing may present testimony by written statement upon a favorable good cause determination by the Hearing Officer.

Source Note:The provisions of this §148.45 adopted to be effective September 18, 2011, 36 TexReg 5944; amended to be effective October 27, 2013, 38 TexReg 7315; amended to be effective February 9, 2017, 42 TexReg 480; amended to be effective February 11, 2021, 46 TexReg 937; amended to be effective May 15, 2025, 50 TexReg 2814.