The State Office of Administrative Hearings, also called SOAH, resolves disputes between Texas agencies, other governmental entities, and private citizens either through an administrative hearing or mediation. The office is separate and independant from the agencies involved in the disputes. The administrative law judges who preside over the disputes are neutral. The specific objectives of the State Office of Administrative Hearings are to:

• Conduct fair and objective administrative hearings.
• Provide fair, timely and efficient decisions and proposals for decision.
• Offer the opportunity for parties to resolve their disputes through mediation (or alternative dispute resolution).