- (a) Once a claim is filed in accordance with §14.10 of this chapter (relating to Claims Against the Fund), the department shall investigate the claim and may conduct a hearing to determine the amount due the aggrieved party. All hearings shall be conducted by a department hearing officer in accordance with the provisions of the Administrative Procedure Act and Chapter 1, Subchapter A of this title (relating to General Rules of Practice).
- (b) The agency hearing officer shall have the same authority as prescribed for the administrative law judge in §1.18 of this title (relating to Administrative Law Judges).
- (c) Parties may protest the proposal for decision made by the department hearing officer by filing a Notice of Protest in accordance with §14.12 of this chapter (relating to Filing of Notice of Protest; Appeal to the Board). If no protest is filed, the case will be forwarded to the deputy commissioner for a final determination.
- (d) Parties may also protest the department's final determination by filing a Notice of Protest in accordance with §14.12 of this chapter.
- (e) If no Notice of Protest is filed, the department's determination becomes final and any payment awarded may be made.
Source Note:The provisions of this §14.11 adopted to be effective August 13, 1997, 22 TexReg 7223; amended to be effective December 15, 2025, 50 TexReg 8042.