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) Claim--A claim made pursuant to §21.572 of this title (relating to Notice and Appeal) concerning control of signs along rural roads; §21.149(f) of this title (relating to Licenses) concerning revocation or suspension of a county sign license; or §21.150(k) of this title (relating to Permits) concerning cancellation of a permit.
3. (3) Contract claim--Any claim arising under a contract governed by Transportation Code, §22.018 (concerning the designation of the department as agent in contracting and supervising for aviation projects); by Transportation Code, Chapter 223 (concerning bids and contracts for highway improvement projects); Transportation Code, §391.091 (concerning erection and maintenance of signs); Chapter 361 (concerning state highway turnpike projects); or by Government Code, Chapter 2254 (concerning professional and consulting services).
4. (4) Department--The Texas Department of Transportation.
5. (5) Executive director--The chief administrative officer of the department or, if permitted by law, the director's designee.
6. (6) Party--The department or a person named or permitted to participate in a contested case.
7. (7) Petition--The document that initiates a contested case.
8. (8) Petitioner--A party who files a petition.

Source Note:The provisions of this §1.22 adopted to be effective September 21, 2000, 25 TexReg 9228; amended to be effective February 17, 2005, 30 TexReg 722; amended to be effective May 20, 2010, 35 TexReg 3850.