What is the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) and how does it relate to the commission’s enforcement actions?
SOAH is an administrative body that acts like a court for disputes involving the commission. Disputes heard at SOAH are heard by an administrative law judge (ALJ). The law requires that an ALJ hear commission enforcement actions against builders/remodelers, arbitrators and third-party inspectors. After considering the evidence and arguments of all the parties, the administrative law judge issues a Proposal for Decision (PFD), which is a recommendation to the commission that includes findings of fact and conclusions of law based on the evidence presented to the ALJ. The commission may accept, modify, or vacate the PFD in a final order. The Respondent may appeal the commission’s final order to a Travis County district court.
