Section 815.113 - Commission Hearings Involving Coverage and Contributions or Reimbursements(a) In all situations not specifically provided for in the Act or in the rules of the Agency, a hearing may, at the discretion of the Commission, be afforded an employing unit upon its written request, in any case involving tax liability or any question relating to contributions or reimbursements. Hearings under this section shall continue to be termed Rule 13 Hearings. The written request for hearing may be filed by hand delivery, mail, common carrier, facsimile (fax) transmission, or other method approved by the Agency in writing, at a local tax office or the Texas Workforce Commission, 101 East 15th Street, Austin, Texas 78778-0001.(b) The Commission may on its own motion set a hearing to secure the facts to establish the status of any individual or employing unit under any section of the Act.(c) The Commission may designate a representative to preside over the hearing. Hearings shall be conducted by telephone conference call unless the supervisor of the hearing officers or the supervisor's designee determines that an in-person hearing is necessary. The hearings will be scheduled and, if an in-person hearing, held at a place designated by the supervisor of the hearings officers or the supervisor's designee in accordance with paragraphs (1) - (3) of this subsection and the applicable provisions in this chapter. (1) Written notice of the date and time of the hearings shall be given to the parties, and the location if it is an in-person hearing, at least 10 days before the date of the hearing; but if a setting at an earlier date is requested by an individual or employing unit, the supervisor of the hearings officers or the supervisor's designee may at the supervisor's discretion grant that request, if the granting of the request will not prejudice the rights of any other party to the proceedings, including the Agency itself. The notice shall be mailed to the parties at their last-known addresses.(2) In these proceedings before a hearings officer, all parties shall be given an opportunity for full, fair, and impartial hearing. The hearings shall be conducted in the manner deemed most suitable to ascertain the facts and to determine the rights of the parties. All testimony taken shall be under oath and subject to the right of cross-examination by any adverse party, and it shall be recorded. When necessary, the hearing officer may order the taking of depositions. The submission of written briefs, affidavits, and other written memoranda may be required.(3) A witness, whose attendance at a hearing is required, may be allowed a fee and mileage on the same basis and to the same extent as is provided for witnesses under § 815.18 of this chapter (relating to General Rules for Both Appeal Stages).(d) The Commission, following each hearing, shall issue a decision, which shall resolve the questions involving tax liability or any question relating to contributions or reimbursements which arose at the hearing. Copies of written decisions of the Commission shall be furnished the parties to the hearings.(e) A decision of the Commission shall become final 30 days after the date of mailing unless, within the 30-day period, the proceeding is either reopened by a Commission order or by a party to the proceeding filing a written motion for reconsideration in accordance with the provisions of § 815.17(f) of this chapter (relating to General Rules for Both Appeal Stages). The motion for reconsideration is sent to the address listed in the decision. A decision is not binding on a person who was not a party to a proceeding conducted under this section.40 Tex. Admin. Code § 815.113
The provisions of this §815.113 adopted to be effective November 6, 2000, 25 TexReg 11093; amended to be effective January 6, 2014, 39 TexReg 114