Has the Legislature given state agencies any guidance on ADR?
Yes. The Governmental Dispute Resolution Act, TEXAS GOVERNMENT CODE, Chapter 2009, establishes a state policy that disputes before state agencies should be resolved as quickly and fairly as possible. The Act also directs state agencies to support state policy by developing and using ADR in appropriate aspects of their operations and programs. In summer 2002, the Sunset commission re-emphasized this policy by issuing an across-the-board recommendation applicable to agencies then undergoing Sunset Review. That recommendation directs most of those agencies to develop and implement policies encouraging the use of ADR and negotiated rulemaking procedures.
