The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.(1) Administrative law judge--A member or employee of the agency or other individual assigned to issue a proposal for decision, to render a decision, or to make findings of fact or conclusions of law.(2) Agency--The Texas Education Agency.(3) Board--The board of trustees of a public school district.(4) Commissioner--The commissioner of education, or one who has been designated by the commissioner to perform a task.(5) Disqualification--When an administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, permanently forbids a party representative from any further participation in an adjudicative proceeding.(6) Exclusion--When an administrative law judge, in his or her discretion, ejects a person temporarily from an adjudicative proceeding.(7) Hearing--An adjudicative process from initiation until final decision.(8) Independent hearing examiner--a person certified by the commissioner to hold hearings pursuant to the Texas Education Code, Chapter 21, Subchapter F (Hearings Before Hearings Examiners).(9) Party representative--A lawyer or non-lawyer who acts on behalf of himself or herself or who is authorized to act on behalf of a party during the hearing.