Welcome to The State Office of Administrative Hearings

This practice recognizes the ALJ’s authority over hearing and prehearing matters and makes the scheduling of cases more similar to district court. The change is necessary to promote efficiency, assure the fair and equal treatment of parties, and minimize disruptions associated with ALJs having to reschedule cases after the initial docketing of a case.

This is a change from the prior practice where hearing dates were often confirmed by the SOAH Chief Clerk’s Office during the initial referral of a case, regardless of whether an ALJ was actually available on the date requested by the referring agency.

eFile Texas - Beginning June 1, 2022, SOAH will require attorneys and the Texas Department of Public Safety to submit ALR case filings and documentary evidence electronically by use of eFile Texas. Mail, email, and fax submissions will be discontinued except for limited use by self-represented / pro se parties.

April 20, 2022 -- The Chief Administrative Law Judge has issued a General Order Relating to the Submission of Exhibits that affects all general docket hearings scheduled to occur May 1, 2022 or later. Consistent with SOAH’s Interim Operating and Transition Plan, the order supersedes any prior emergency/COVID-19 related orders requiring the pre-filing of exhibits 10-days prior the scheduled hearing date, and provides new instructions for the electronic submission and filing of exhibits.

All referring agencies and participants in hearings at SOAH are encouraged to read and familiarize themselves with SOAH’s Interim Operating and Transition Plan, as it includes important information about current operations and upcoming changes to hearings at SOAH.