1. (a) Within 10 days after the hearing is held, the hearing officer shall issue a written decision granting or denying the request for the issuance of a cease and desist order that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law. The hearing decision shall be mailed by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and is presumed received 5 days from the date it is mailed. The hearing officer's decision is final unless an appeal is filed under subsection (b).
2. (b) A party that is not satisfied with the decision of the hearing officer may file a written appeal of the decision to the Commission for a final review no later than the 15th day after receipt of the hearing decision. The written appeal shall contain the party's arguments as to why the decision of the hearing officer should be reversed. A party may request oral argument on the written appeal before the Commission. If oral argument is approved, each party or its hearing representative may present argument in support of its position.
3. (c) Upon receipt of the written appeal of the hearing officer's decision, the Commission shall consider the appeal and issue a decision within 30 days. If oral argument is requested by a party and approved, the Commission shall schedule and hold oral argument within 20 days of receipt of the written appeal. The Commission shall consider the appeal on the basis of the record made before the hearing officer. The decision of the Commission shall be mailed by Certified Mail, Return Receipt Requested, and is presumed received 5 days from the date it is mailed.

Source Note:The provisions of this §807.281 adopted to be effective April 26, 2004, 29 TexReg 3970.