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

1. (1) Administrative Law Judge--A person appointed by the State Office of Administrative Hearings to conduct a hearing on matters within the department's jurisdiction.
2. (2) Contract claim--Any claim arising under a contract governed by Transportation Code, §22.018, by Transportation Code, Chapter 223, or by Government Code, Chapter 2254.
3. (3) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.
4. (4) Executive director--The chief administrative officer of the department or, if permitted by law, the director's designee.
5. (5) Party--The department or a person named or permitted to participate in a contested case.
6. (6) Person--An individual, representative, partnership, corporation, association, governmental subdivision, or public or private organization, or any other entity, other than the department.
7. (7) Petition--The document that initiates a contested case.
8. (8) Petitioner--A person that files a petition.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.22 adopted to be effective September 21, 2000, 25 TexReg 9228.