Section 148.15 - Final Decision by the ALJ(a) Decision or Order. The ALJ shall adjourn the hearing after all evidence has been received in contested cases held under Labor Code §§ 413.031, 413.0312, and 413.055.(b) Decision or Order that May Become Final. The ALJ shall issue a decision or order that may become final.(c) Contents of Decision or Order that May Become Final. The decision or order that may become final must include orders that are necessary to implement the decision or order. When the decision or order requires any action or compliance, it must contain a period of time for such action to be completed, normally not to exceed 30 days from the date the decision or order is received, for such action or compliance to be completed.(d) Furnishing the Decision or Order that May Become Final.(1) The decision or order that may become final will be sent immediately to the parties or their representatives by verifiable means that shall be documented in the hearing file.(2) If the decision or order that may become final is furnished by personal delivery, a receipt verifying personal delivery and containing the date of delivery and the person, any business title, and person's business address that received the delivery shall be made by the person who makes the personal delivery, and shall be date-stamped and placed in the hearing file.(e) Procedures for Motion for Rehearing. The decision or order that may become final will become final if a motion for rehearing is not filed with SOAH within 20 days after receipt of the decision or order. The procedures for a motion for rehearing are governed by the Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter F, and a motion for rehearing is a prerequisite for appealing a decision or order under this section.(f) Finality of Decision or Order. The finality of the ALJ's decision or order is determined by Government Code § 2001.144, except as provided by Labor Code § 413.031 and § 133.307 of this title (relating to MDR of Fee Disputes).(g) Exhaustion of Administrative Remedies. The notification to a party of the ALJ's decision or order that has become final under Government Code § 2001.144 constitutes exhaustion of all administrative remedies, except as provided by Labor Code § 413.031 and § 133.307 of this title.(h) Judicial Review. A party dissatisfied with a final decision or order of the ALJ may seek judicial review as provided by the Act in accordance with the Government Code, Chapter 2001, Subchapter G, Labor Code § 413.031 and § 133.307 of this title.28 Tex. Admin. Code § 148.15
The provisions of this §148.15 adopted to be effective June 9, 2005, 30 TexReg 3237; amended to be effective July 27, 2014, 39 TexReg 5608