Compact with Texans

Compact with Texans

The State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH) serves as an independent and neutral forum for resolving disputes between State of Texas agencies, other governmental entities, and private citizens, either through an administrative hearing or mediation. All matters before SOAH originated from more than 60 referring agencies and programs.

 

Agency Mission

The mission of SOAH is to serve as an independent and neutral forum for the fair and lawful adjudication of contested cases on behalf of the State of Texas, ensuring due process by providing timely, efficient, and impartial decisions in formal administrative hearings and alternative dispute resolution proceedings in accordance with Chapter 2003 of the Texas Government Code.

 

Customer Service Principles

You have the right to expect from us:

  • Efficient and reliable service.
  • A fair, timely, and accessible administrative hearings process.
  • Reasoned decisions based on the law and the facts.
  • Courteous and professional treatment.
  • An opportunity to give feedback and suggestions for improvement.
  • Prompt responses to SOAH-related inquiries and complaints.
  • Adequate and accessible facilities.

 

Customer Service Survey

SOAH is required by law to conduct a customer service survey every year to gather information from participants about their entire experience at SOAH based on their interactions with SOAH and SOAH staff.

We remain committed to making a good faith effort to reach as many eligible customers as possible to participate in the survey. For more information, including how to participate in the survey and past results, please visit our Customer Service Survey webpage.

 

Customer Comments and Inquiries

We welcome feedback and appreciate any opportunity for improvement. If you have a general inquiry or comment about the services provided by SOAH, please contact SOAH's Chief Clerk's Office by United States Postal Mail or phone:

Mail:  SOAH Chief Clerk's Office
           State Office of Administrative Hearings
           P.O. Box 13025
           Austin, Texas 78711-3025

Phone: 512.475.4993

 

We will acknowledge all inquiries and comments related to SOAH in a professional, courteous, and timely manner. Because of SOAH’s unique adjudicatory role and limited jurisdiction, we may not respond to comments or inquiries related to a pending SOAH case or another agency, program, or person that does not involve SOAH. 

 

Formal Complaint Policy

For complaints related to a SOAH personnel or services, you may file a formal complaint related to your experience or interactions in accordance with SOAH's External Complaints Policy.

SOAH's complaint jurisdiction

 

Please consider the following before submitting a complaint:

* SOAH can only handle matters expressly within the agency’s limited jurisdiction. SOAH has limited jurisdiction over the contested cases referred by other state agencies, and that jurisdiction is limited only to the duration of the SOAH proceedings. If your complaint primarily concerns one of the many agencies that refer cases to SOAH, we encourage you to contact that agency directly.

 

*SOAH’s formal complaint process is not an internal appeal procedure and does not provide a means to overturn a SOAH ALJ’s order or decision. The complaint process may not be used as a substitute for following the proper legal process and applicable laws to appeal or challenge a decision or order issued by an ALJ at SOAH.

 

*Complaints about an ALJ's rulings in a case or conduct during a proceeding will be investigated only as they may impact the judge’s fitness to preside. You may reference the Code of Conduct for Administrative Law Judges that establishes standards of conduct for those who preside in proceedings at the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

 

* Ex parte communications are not allowed and undermine the fairness and impartiality of the administrative process. Ex parte communication is defined as:

“Direct or indirect communication between a state agency, person, or representative of those entities and the presiding judge or other SOAH hearings personnel in connection with an issue of law or fact in a pending case under SOAH's jurisdiction where the other known parties to the proceeding do not have notice of the communication and an opportunity to participate.”

Anonymous complaints are not permitted and will not be addressed due to legal prohibitions against ex parte and improper communications.

 

Submit a Formal Complaint

To submit a formal complaint to SOAH, you must complete a complaint form and provide information that clearly describes:

  • the SOAH docket number,
  • the nature of your complaint or area of your concern,
  • the facts or documents supporting your allegation(s),
  • how your complaint relates to SOAH or SOAH personnel,
  • the steps you have taken to resolve your complaint, and
  • a proposal for how your complaint could be resolved.

You may submit your complaint online by completing the Formal Complaint Form.

 

If you do not want to submit your complaint online, you can download, print, and mail the Formal Complaint Form (PDF version) to:

Mail:  Hon. Kristofer Monson
          Chief Administrative Law Judge
          State Office of Administrative Hearings
          P.O. Box 13025
          Austin, Texas 78711-3025

 

All complaints will be reviewed for completeness and may be directed to the appropriate referring agency as necessary for further action. Complaints that lack sufficient detail about the SOAH service at issue, or that seek to challenge or overturn an ALJ’s order or decision, may not be accepted for investigation or response.