1. (a) Preliminary Determination. After the claim is investigated, the claim will be referred to SML's legal and enforcement section to issue a preliminary determination.
2. (b) Requests for Appeal. The respondent or the claimant has 30 days to appeal the preliminary determination. An appeal must be in writing and received by SML within 30 days after the date the preliminary determination is issued. An appeal may be sent by mail (Attn: Legal Division, 2601 N. Lamar Blvd., Suite 201, Austin, Texas 78705) or by email (enforcement@sml.texas.gov).
3. (c) Effect of Not Appealing. A respondent or claimant who does not timely appeal the preliminary determination is deemed to have irrevocably waived any right they had to challenge the preliminary determination or request a hearing on the preliminary determination and is deemed not to have exhausted all administrative remedies for purposes of judicial review under Government Code §2001.171.

Source Note:The provisions of this §53.6 adopted to be effective July 10, 2025, 50 TexReg 3870.