Date, Time, and Place of Hearing

(a) The arbitration hearing shall be scheduled to begin no later than the 90th day after the date that the arbitrator is selected.

(b) The arbitrator shall set the date, time, and place for each hearing. She/he shall send a notice of hearing to the parties at least 30 days in advance of the hearing date, unless otherwise agreed to by the parties. A copy of such notice shall be simultaneously filed with SOAH by the arbitrator.

(c) The arbitrator may grant a continuance of the arbitration at the request of DADS or the facility. The arbitrator may not unreasonably deny a request for a continuance.

(d) Arbitration hearings normally will be held at SOAH's hearings facility in Austin, Texas. If a party seeks to have the arbitration hearing held elsewhere, the party shall submit a written request to the arbitrator and make a showing of good cause. The arbitrator shall have sole discretion to determine whether to grant such a request. If the arbitrator grants the request, the arbitrator shall determine how the incidental expenses of holding the arbitration hearing outside of Austin will be apportioned between the parties. Incidental expenses include the cost of renting a room for the hearing and the arbitrator's travel expenses. Preference will be given to using state facilities. The arbitrator may require that the incidental expenses be paid in advance of the arbitration hearing.