Participation by Telephone or Videoconference

(a) Videoconference. Upon appropriate notice, SOAH may allow or require an ALR hearing to be conducted by videoconference.

(1) The notice for a videoconference hearing shall include log-in information for joining the videoconference and provide an option for participants to access the hearing audio by telephone.

(2) If a party files a written objection within a reasonable time after receiving notice of a videoconference hearing, and states good cause for the objection, the judge shall timely rule on the objection in a manner consistent with Rule 21d of the Texas Rules of Civil Procedure.

(3) The judge may require a witness to appear on camera as a condition of being allowed to testify in a videoconference hearing.

(b) Telephone Conference Call. After SOAH acquires jurisdiction, a party may file a consent motion or notice of agreement by the parties to conduct an ALR hearing by telephone conference call. The judge may grant the motion and schedule the hearing to be conducted by telephone conference call with proper notice to the parties.

(1) The notice shall include dial-in information or instructions for joining the telephone conference call and include instructions for submitting documents and evidence to be considered in the proceeding.

(2) Before a witness is allowed to give testimony by telephone, the judge will confirm that the witness is the person he or she has been represented to be, which may require the witness to provide reasonable verification of their identity under oath.

(c) Procedural Rights and Duties. All substantive and procedural rights and duties apply to telephone or videoconference hearings, subject only to the limitations of the physical arrangement. The parties shall contact their respective witnesses to assure their availability at the hearing.