1. (a) Subject of hearings. The board may hold public hearings:

   1. (1) to consider the adoption of rules;
   2. (2) in accordance with the programs operated by the department; and
   3. (3) provide, when deemed appropriate by the board or when otherwise required by law, for public input regarding any other issue under the jurisdiction of the board.
2. (b) Authorized representative. The executive director or an employee of the department designated by the executive director may conduct public hearings held under subsection (a)(2) and (3) of this section.

3. (c) Conduct and decorum. Public hearings will be conducted in a manner that maximizes public access and input while maintaining proper decorum and orderliness, and will be governed by the following guidelines.

   1. (1) Questioning of those making presentations will be reserved to members, the executive director, or, if applicable, the presiding officer.
   2. (2) Organizations, associations, or groups are encouraged to present their commonly held views and same or similar comments through a representative member where possible.
   3. (3) Presentations shall remain pertinent to the issue being discussed.
   4. (4) A person who disrupts a public hearing must leave the hearing room if ordered to do so by the chair or the presiding officer.
   5. (5) Time allotted to one speaker may not be reassigned to another speaker.
4. (d) Disability accommodation. Persons with disabilities, who have special communication or accommodation needs and who plan to attend a hearing to be held by the board, may contact the department in Austin. In the case of a hearing to be conducted by the department, those persons may contact the public affairs officer, whose address and telephone number appear in the public notice, for that hearing. Requests should be made at least two days before the hearing. The department will make every reasonable effort to accommodate these needs.

Source Note:The provisions of this §206.23 adopted to be effective February 4, 2010, 35 TexReg 654.