REMOVAL OF APPRAISER FROM APPRAISAL PANEL.

(a) An appraisal management company may not remove an appraiser from its panel, or otherwise refuse to assign requests for appraisal services to an appraiser without:

(1) notifying the appraiser in writing of the reasons for removal from the company's panel;

(2) if the appraiser is being removed from the panel for illegal conduct, a violation of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or a violation of this chapter, notifying the appraiser of the nature of the alleged conduct or violation; and

(3) providing an opportunity for the appraiser to respond in writing to the notification.

(b) An appraiser who is removed from the appraisal panel of an appraisal management company for alleged illegal conduct, a violation of the Uniform Standards of Professional Appraisal Practice, or a violation of this chapter, may file a complaint with the board for a review of the decision of the company if the matter remains unresolved after the appraiser completes the company's dispute resolution process under Section 1104.162.

(c) In a review under Subsection (b), the board may not make any determination regarding the nature of the business relationship between the appraiser and the appraisal management company that is unrelated to the grounds for the removal.

(d) The board shall hear and resolve a complaint filed under Subsection (b) not later than the 180th day after the date the complaint is filed with the board.

(e) If after opportunity for hearing and review, the board determines that an appraiser did not commit the alleged violation, the board shall order that the appraiser be returned to the appraisal panel of the appraisal management company. The appraisal management company may not refuse to make assignments for appraisal services or otherwise penalize the appraiser after returning the appraiser to the company's appraisal panel.