TITLE rule-review

Proposed Rule Review

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Title 37, Part 5

Under the 1997 General Appropriations Act, Article IX, Section 167, Review of Agency Rules, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles files this notice of intent to review and consider for readoption, revision, or repeal, Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Public Safety and Corrections, Part 5, Chapter 149 (Mandatory Supervision), Subchapter A (Rules and Conditions of Mandatory Supervision) and Subchapter B (Selection for Mandatory Supervision). The Board undertakes its review pursuant to Government Code, §2001.039, Government Code. The Board will accept comments for 30 days following the publication of this notice in the Texas Register as to whether the reasons for adopting the sections under review continue to exist.

The Board has conducted a preliminary review of the rules in Chapter 149 and has determined that reasons for adopting the chapter continue to exist. As part of this review process, the Board proposed amendments to certain sections of Chapter 149 (Mandatory Supervision), Subchapter A (Rules and Conditions of Mandatory Supervision) and Subchapter B (Selection for Mandatory Supervision), at a public meeting held on May 8, 2002. Those rules proposed for amendment were published in the June 7, 2002, Texas Register (27 TexReg 4927) and are as follows: §§149.1 (Conditions and Rules of Mandatory Supervision), 149.3 (Texas Mandatory Supervision Offenders Supervised in Other States), and 149.16 (Mandatory Release Certificate). Following a 30-day public comment period, during which there were no comments received from the public, the Board adopted the amendments at a public meeting on August 23, 2002. These amendments were subsequently published in the September 20, 2002, edition of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 8967). These amendments became effective on September 26, 2002.

As part of this review process, the Board proposed repeal of certain sections of Chapter 149 (Mandatory Supervision), Subchapter A (Rules and Conditions of Mandatory Supervision), at a public meeting held on May 8, 2002. Those rules proposed for repeal were published in the June 7, 2002, Texas Register (27 TexReg 4927), and are as follows: §149.2 (Restitution; Monthly Amount; Payment; Alterations) and §149.5 (Annual Report Status). Following a 30-day public comment period, during which there were no comments received from the public, the Board adopted the repeals at a public meeting on August 23, 2002. These repeals were subsequently published in the September 20, 2002, edition of the Texas Register (27 TexReg 8967). These repeals became effective on September 26, 2002.

The mandatory rules are necessary to carry out the statutory obligations of the Board relating to review for release on parole or mandatory supervision, revocation of parole or mandatory supervision. The rules in Title 37, Part 5, Chapter 149, are reviewed and considered for readoption, revision, or repeal, in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039, and under authority of the Texas Government Code, §§508.0441, 508.036, 508.045, 508.141, 508.147, that authorize the Board to adopt reasonable rules as proper or necessary relating to the eligibility of an offender for release to parole or mandatory supervision; to adopt rules relating to the decision-making processes used by the Board of Pardons and Paroles; to act on matters of release to parole or mandatory supervision; to consider and order release on parole; and release to mandatory supervision.

In addition, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles files this notice of intent to review and consider for readoption, revision, or repeal, Texas Administrative Code, Title 37, Public Safety and Corrections, Part 5, Chapter 143 (Executive Clemency). The Board has conducted a preliminary review of the rules in Chapter 143 and has determined that reasons for adopting the chapter continue to exist. As part of this review process, the Board proposed amendments to a certain section of Chapter 143, §143.2 (Pardons for Innocence) at a meeting held on December 15, 2004. These proposed amendments to §143.2 were published in the December 31, 2004, Texas Register (29 TexReg 12110). Following a 30-day public comment period, during which there were no comments received from the public, the Board adopted the amendments at a public meeting on February 16, 2005. These amendments were subsequently published in the March 4, 2005, edition of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1316). These amendments became effective on March 10, 2005. The executive clemency rules are necessary to carry out the constitutional and statutory obligations under Article IV, Section 11, Texas Constitution, which vests the Board with power to recommend that the Governor grant clemency; and under Chapter 48, Code of Criminal Procedure, and under §508.036(b), Government Code, which provides the Board with authority to adopt rules relating to the decision-making processes used by the Board of Pardons and Paroles.

Any questions or written comments pertaining to this notice of intention to review should for the next 30-day comment period be directed to Laura McElroy, General Counsel, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, 209 W. 14th Street, Suite 500, Austin, TX 78701, or by e-mail to laura.mcelroy@tdcj.state.tx.us.

TRD-200502924

Laura McElroy

General Counsel

Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles

Filed: July 18, 2005


Adopted Rule Reviews

General Land Office

Title 31, Part 1

The Texas General Land Office (GLO) files this Notice of Readoption of 31 TAC Chapter 17, relating to Hearing Procedures for Administrative Penalties and Removal of Unauthorized or Dangerous Structures on State Land, §§17.1 - 17.50. The readoption of Chapter 17 is filed in accordance with the GLO's Intention to Review published in the March 11, 2005, issue of the Texas Register (30 TexReg 1475).

As a result of this Rule Review, the GLO readopts the contents of the following sections, except as noted.

No comments were received on the proposed notice of intention to review.

The readoption of Chapter 17 is adopted under the Natural Resources Code, §31.051, which authorizes the commissioner to adopt rules consistent with law.

§17.1. Purpose and Scope.

Note: The contents of §17.1 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.2. Definitions.

Note: The contents of §17.2 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.3. Filing of Documents.

Note: The contents of §17.3 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.4. Computation and Extension of Time Periods.

§17.5. All Agreements Must Be in Writing.

§17.6. Conduct and Decorum.

§17.7. Initiation of General Land Office Action.

Note: The contents of §17.7 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.8. Request for Hearing.

§17.9. Statement of Grounds.

§17.10. Docketing and Notice.

§17.11. Notice.

§17.12. Pleadings.

§17.13. Motions before the Examiner and Responses to Motions before the Examiner.

§17.14. Prefiled Testimony and Exhibits.

§17.15. Motions To Retract.

§17.16. Dismissal without Hearing.

§17.17. Prehearing Conference.

§17.18. Motion for Consolidation.

§17.19. Motion for Postponement or Continuance.

§17.20. Time and Place of Hearings.

§17.21. Hearing Examiner.

§17.22. Parties to the Hearings.

§17.23. Order of Procedure.

§17.24. Reporters and Transcripts.

§17.25. Formal Exceptions.

§17.26. Offer of Proof.

§17.27. Interim Order.

§17.28. Witnesses To Be Sworn.

§17.29. Rules of Evidence.

§17.30. Official Notice.

§17.31. Documentary Evidence.

§17.32. Admissibility of Prepared Testimony and Exhibits.

§17.33. Introduction of Exhibits.

§17.34. Testimony Limited.

§17.35. Post-hearing Briefs.

§17.36. The Record.

§17.37. Proposal for Decision.

§17.38. Filing of Exceptions and Replies.

§17.39. Commissioner's Orders.

Note: The contents of §17.39 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.40. Rehearing.

§17.41. Compliance or Petition for Judicial Review.

Note: The contents of §17.41 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.42. Administrative Finality.

§17.43. Effective Date of Order.

§17.44. Emergency Order.

§17.45. Show Cause Orders and Complaints.

§17.46. Ex Parte Communications.

Note: The contents of §17.46 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.47. Subpoenas.

Note: The contents of §17.47 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.48. Depositions.

Note: The contents of §17.48 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§17.49. Appeals.

§17.50. Remedies Not Exclusive.

Note: The contents of §17.50 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

This concludes the GLO's review of 31 TAC Chapter 17, Hearing Procedures for Administrative Penalties and Removal of Unauthorized or Dangerous Structures on State Land.

TRD-200502900

Trace Finley

Policy Director

General Land Office

Filed: July 15, 2005


Texas Real Estate Commission

Title 22, Part 23

The Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC) adopts the review of Chapter 535 (§§535.92 - 535.403) in accordance with the Texas Government Code, §2001.039. The proposed notice of review was published in the May 7, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 4556).

In conjunction with this review, the agency adopted amendments to §§535.91, 535.92, 535.94, 535.101, 535.122, 535.123, 535.131, 535.132, 535.141, 535.143, 535.147, 535.153, 535.154, 535.171, 535.206, 535.208, 535.213 - 535.217, 535.220, 535.223, 535.224, 535.227, 535.300, 535.400, 535.402, and 535.403. The amendments change the cites to the relevant statutory provisions in Chapter 1101, Texas Occupations Code and update the rules for consistency and clarity. The agency has determined that with this change, the reasons for adopting the sections in Chapter 535 (§§535.92 - 535.403) continue to exist.

No comments were received in response to the notice of the proposed rule review as published in the above-referenced issue of the Texas Register .

Notice of these actions appeared in the August 27, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 8293).

This concludes the review of Chapter 535, Rules Relating to Provisions of The Real Estate License Act.

TRD-200502878

Loretta DeHay

General Counsel

Texas Real Estate Commission

Filed: July 14, 2005


Texas Veterans Land Board

Title 40, Part 5

The Texas Veterans Land Board (VLB) files this Notice of Readoption of 40 TAC, Part 5, Chapter 176, relating to Veterans Homes, §§176.1 - 176.11. The readoption of Chapter 176 is filed in accordance with the Veteran Land Board's Intention to Review published in the December 24, 2004, issue of the Texas Register (29 TexReg 11990).

As a result of this Rule Review, the VLB readopts the contents of the following sections, except as noted.

No comments were received on the proposed notice of intention to review.

The readoption of Chapter 176 is proposed under the Natural Resources Code, §162.003(b), which authorizes the VLB to adopt rules concerning the operation of the program.

§176.1. Definitions.

§176.2. Authority.

§176.3. Sale of Bonds.

§176.4. Administration of the State Veterans Home Fund.

§176.5. Appointment of Operator.

§176.6. Operator Qualifications.

§176.7. Admissions Requirements.

Note: The contents of §176.7 were amended as a result of the review. The Notice of Adoption appears in the Adopted Rules section of this issue of the Texas Register .

§176.8. Qualifying Homes.

§176.9. Fees and Expenses.

§176.10. Rights of Board.

§176.11. Construction Requirements.

This concludes the VLB's review of Chapter 176, Veterans Homes.

TRD-200502898

Larry L. Laine

Chief Clerk/Deputy Land Commissioner

Texas Veterans Land Board

Filed: July 15, 2005