TX SB2203

Requires administrative law judges to promptly certify to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) any discovery scope issues when a party files a motion in contested cases referred to the State Office of Administrative Hearings (SOAH)

Establishes that certification of an issue expires automatically if TCEQ does not schedule consideration of the certified issue within 15 days after the administrative law judge files the request with the chief clerk

Allows administrative law judges to pause case deadlines while waiting for TCEQ to consider certified discovery issues or until the certification expires

Mandates that both SOAH and TCEQ publish the jointly adopted rules governing the certification process

Takes effect immediately with a two-thirds vote of both legislative chambers, otherwise September 1, 2025