The following words and when used in this undesignated head, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

1. (1) APA--Administrative Procedure Act, Government Code, Chapter 2001.
2. (2) Commission--The Texas Transportation Commission.
3. (3) Contract claim--A claim for additional compensation or time extension, or any other claim arising out of a contract between the State of Texas and a contractor that is entered into and administered by the Texas Department of Transportation pursuant to Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 223, Subchapter A, or Government Code, Title 10, Subchapter A.
4. (4) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.
5. (5) Executive Director--The chief administrative officer of the department.
6. (6) Hearing officer--Any person appointed by the executive director or by the State Office of Administrative Hearings to conduct a hearing on matters within the department's jurisdiction or, where more than one person is appointed to hear a particular matter; the presiding officer designated pursuant to §1.28 of this title (relating to Presiding Officer).
7. (7) Intervenor--Any party not otherwise defined.
8. (8) Party--The department or a person who has appeared in a contested case or has filed timely notice of interest to appear, and who has not been dismissed or excluded by the executive director or hearing officer.
9. (9) Person--Any individual, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, or public or private organization other than the department.
10. (10) Petitioner--The party originating a contested case.
11. (11) Petition--Written allegations filed by a party requesting or opposing action by the department.
12. (12) Pleading--Any petition, answer, exception, motion, or notice filed in a contested case proceeding.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.21 adopted to be effective December 26, 1995, 20 TexReg 11035.