PROPOSAL FOR DECISION

(a) Except as provided by Subsection (e), the presiding officer shall submit a proposal for decision to the board not later than the 30th day after the date the evidentiary hearing is concluded. (b) The proposal for decision must include: (1) a summary of the subject matter of the hearing; (2) a summary of the evidence or public comments received; and (3) the presiding officer's recommendations for board action on the subject matter of the hearing. (c) The presiding officer or general manager shall provide a copy of the proposal for decision to: (1) the applicant; and (2) each designated party. (d) A party may submit to the board written exceptions to the proposal for decision. (e) If the hearing was conducted by a quorum of the board and if the presiding officer prepared a record of the hearing as provided by Section 36.408(a), the presiding officer shall determine whether to prepare and submit a proposal for decision to the board under this section. (f) The board shall consider the proposal for decision at a final hearing. Additional evidence may not be presented during a final hearing. The parties may present oral argument at a final hearing to summarize the evidence, present legal argument, or argue an exception to the proposal for decision. A final hearing may be continued as provided by Section 36.409.