sunset advisory commission · for the building by sargent and co. of new haven, connecticut, in the...

Sunset in Texas

SunSet AdviSory CommiSSion

JAnuAry 2012

Cover photo: The Texas Capitol is a marvel of craftsmanship down to the smallest details. The beautifully carved wood door frames are emphasized with elaborate, custom-designed bronze hinges and hardware produced especially for the building by Sargent and Co. of New Haven, Connecticut, in the late 1880s. The eight inch by eight inch hinges are inscribed with the words “Texas Capitol”, decorated with incised designs of geometric and stylized floral motifs, and weigh over seven pounds each.

Sunset Advisory Commission

RepresentativeRafaelAnchia SenatorBrianBirdwell

RepresentativeByronCook SenatorJoanHuffman

RepresentativeHaroldV.Dutton,Jr. SenatorDanPatrick

RepresentativeFourPrice SenatorJohnWhitmire

CasandraOrtiz JanNewton

Ken LevineDirector

Representative Dennis BonnenChair

Senator Robert NicholsVice Chair

SunSet in texaS

SunSet adviSory CommiSSion

January 2012

Page

guide to the SunSet ProceSS WhatisSunset?............................................................................................................ 1

WhoIsSunset?............................................................................................................. 1

HowIsanAgencyScheduledforReviewUnderSunset?............................................. 2

HowAreAgenciesReviewed?...................................................................................... 2

WhatChangesCanBeMadeThroughSunset?........................................................... 5

HowCanthePublicParticipateinSunset?.................................................................. 5

HowDoesSunsetCoordinateWithOtherOversightAgencies?................................ 6

WhatAreSunsetAcross-the-BoardRecommendations?............................................. 7

WhatIstheSunsetOccupationalLicensingModel?.................................................... 9

hiStory of SunSet reviewS Overview....................................................................................................................... 11

Sunset’sFiscalImpact................................................................................................... 11

SunsetActionbyLegislativeSession............................................................................ 12

review Schedule by year............................................................................... 47

agencieS under the texaS SunSet act............................................. 53

texaS SunSet act................................................................................................... 59

SunSet commiSSion ruleS............................................................................... 69

related Statutory ProviSionS................................................................... 71

current and PaSt commiSSion memberS.......................................... 73

accommodationS for PeoPle with diSabilitieS..............BackCover

Table of Contents

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Guide to the Sunset Process 1

What Is Sunset?Sunset is the regularassessmentof thecontinuingneed fora stateagencyto exist. While standard legislative oversight is concerned with agencycompliancewithlegislativepolicies,Sunsetasksamorebasicquestion:Dothe agency’s functions continue to be needed? The Sunset process worksbysettingadateonwhichanagencywillbeabolishedunlesslegislationispassedtocontinueitsfunctions.ThiscreatesauniqueopportunityfortheLegislaturetolookcloselyateachagencyandmakefundamentalchangestoanagency’smissionoroperationsifneeded.

Who Is Sunset?The 12-member Sunset Advisory Commission has five members of theSenate and one public member appointed by the Lieutenant Governor,andfivemembersof theHouseandonepublicmemberappointedby theSpeaker.ThechairmanshiprotatesbetweentheSenateandtheHouseeverytwoyearsandisassignedtoaHousememberforthe2012–2013biennium.Currentandpastmembersof theSunsetCommissionare shownonpage73. The Sunset Commission is authorized to appoint a Director whoemployssufficientstafftocarryouttheCommission’sresponsibilities.Thestaffprovidesanassessmentofanagency’sprograms,givingtheLegislaturethe information needed to draw conclusions about program necessity andworkability.

Guide to the Sunset Process

Sunset asks the basic question: Should a state

agency be continued?

Membership of the Sunset Advisory Commission83rd Legislature

Dennis Bonnen, ChairRepresentative,Angleton

Robert Nichols, Vice ChairSenator,Jacksonville

RafaelAnchiaRepresentative,Dallas

BrianBirdwellSenator,Granbury

ByronCookRepresentative,Corsicana

JoanHuffmanSenator,Houston

HaroldV.Dutton,Jr.Representative,Houston

DanPatrickSenator,Houston

FourPriceRepresentative,Amarillo

JohnWhitmireSenator,Houston

CasandraOrtizHousePublicMember,San Antonio

JanNewtonSenatePublicMember,Boerne

The Lieutenant Governor and Speaker of the House appoint legislators and

public members to serve on Sunset.

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Guide to the Sunset Process January 20122

Sunset Review Questions

1. Howefficientlyandeffectivelydoestheagencyanditsadvisorycommitteesoperate?

2. Howsuccessfulhastheagencybeeninachievingitsmission,goals,andobjectives?

3. Does the agency perform any duties that are notstatutorily authorized? If so,what is the authorityforthoseactivitiesandaretheynecessary?

4. Whatauthoritydoestheagencyhaverelatedtofees,inspections,enforcement,andpenalties?

5. In what ways could the agency’s functions/operationsbelessburdensomeorrestrictiveandstilladequatelyprotectandservethepublic?

6. How much do the agency’s programs andjurisdiction duplicate those of other agencies andhow well does the agency coordinate with thoseagencies?

7. Does the agency promptly and effectively addresscomplaints?

8. To what extent does the agency encourage anduse public participation when making rules anddecisions?

9. How has the agency complied with state andfederal requirements regarding equal employmentopportunity, the rights and privacy of individuals,and purchasing guidelines for historicallyunderutilizedbusinesses?

10. How effectively does the agency enforce rules onpotentialconflictsofinterestofitsemployees?

11. How effectively and efficiently does the agencycomply with the Public Information Act and theOpenMeetingsAct?

12. Would abolishing the agency cause federalgovernmentinterventionorlossoffederalfunds?

13. Do the agency’s statutory reporting requirementseffectivelyfulfillausefulpurpose?

How Is an Agency Scheduled for Review Under Sunset?About130stateagenciesaresubjecttotheTexasSunsetAct,whichbecameeffective in September 1977. The agencies’ enabling statutes specify thedatesuponwhicheachagencyisabolished,unlesscontinuedinexistenceby

legislation. Agencies under Sunset typicallyundergoreviewonceevery12years. Certainentities, such as universities and courts,are not subject to the Sunset Act. Someconstitutionally created agencies, such as theBoardofPardonsandParolesandtheBoardofTrusteesoftheTeacherRetirementSystemofTexas,aresubjecttoSunsetreviewbutnotabolishment.

Generally,theLegislaturegroupsandschedulesagencies for review by function to allow theexaminationofallmajorstatepoliciesrelatedtoaparticularfunctionatonce,suchashealthand human services and financial regulation.About 20 to 30 agencies go through theSunset process each legislative session. TheLegislaturemaychangethereviewscheduletoenableacloselookatcertainagenciesofspeciallegislativeinterest.ByusingtheSunsetprocessto examine problem areas, the Legislaturefurtherstrengthenstheaccountabilityofstateagencies.

How Are Agencies Reviewed?Staff of the Sunset Commission worksextensively with each agency under reviewto evaluate the need for the agency, proposeneeded statutory or management changes,anddeveloplegislationnecessarytoenactanyproposedchanges.AsummaryofthestepsinaSunsetreviewcanbefoundintheflowchartonthefollowingpage,Sunset Review Process.

Sunset staff uses specific criteria set by theLegislature to evaluate eachof theprogramsand functionsofa stateagencyplacedunderSunset review. These criteria, located in§325.011oftheGovernmentCode(page63ofthisreport),aresummarizedinthetextbox,Sunset Review Questions.


s

s

l AgencysubmitsSelf-EvaluationReport(SER)

l StaffevaluatesSERanddevelopsreviewplan

l Agencyeducatesstaffaboutitsoperationsthroughoverviewmeetings

l Staffmeetswithinterestgroups,affectedagencies,andotherinterestedpersons

LegislatureSetsTimeFrameforAgency’sSunsetReview

SunsetCommissionConductsPublicHearing

CommissionDecideson

Recommendationstothe

Legislature

CommissionReceives:l StaffRecommendationsl AgencyResponsesl PublicTestimony

AgencyisContinuedwithLegislativeModifications

s

AgencyisAbolishedandBeginsOne-YearWind-DownProcess

s

ss

s

s

Sunset Review Process

SunsetStaffEvaluatesAgency,

DevelopsRecommendations,andPublishesStaffReport

NoBillNeeded

s

SunsetBillisFiledwiththeLegislature

AgencyisAbolishedandBeginsOne-YearWind-DownProcess

s

Passes Fails

AbolishesContinues


The staff review of an agency typically takes from three to eight monthsdependingon the size andcomplexityof theagency. Sunset staffgathersinformationfromabroadrangeofsources.Asapartofthereviewprocess,eachagencysubmitsaSelf-EvaluationReport(SER)totheSunsetCommission.TheSERidentifiesproblems,opportunities,andissuesthattheagencyfeelsshouldbeconsideredintheSunsetreview.Sunsetstaffalsosolicitsinputfrominterestgroupsandprofessionalorganizations,andencouragespublicinputanddiscussionofagencyfunctions.Staffcollectsandevaluatesinformationfrom extensive interviews of agency personnel, performance reports,operationaldata,andothersources.Oncetheevaluationphaseofthereviewis completed, Sunset staff publishes a report containing recommendationsfor statutory change by the Legislature and recommendations for agencymanagementtoimplementtoimproveinternaloperations.

The Sunset Commission conducts a public hearing on each agency underreviewafterpublicationofthestaffreport.ThepublichearingprovidesanopportunityforSunsetstafftopresentitsrecommendations,fortheagencyto formally respond to the staff recommendations, and for the public tocommentonthereportandtoraiseadditionalpolicyissuesrelatingtotheagency.ThisallowsforbroadpublicinputintotheSunsetprocessandbeginstheCommission’sconsiderationofpotentialchangestorecommendtotheLegislatureintheformofSunsetlegislation.

AllinformationpresentedtotheCommissionatthepublichearing,whethersubmittedorallyorinwriting,isreviewedandcompiled.TheCommissionmeetsinpublicsessiontoreviewtheinputreceivedandtomakedecisionson Sunset staff recommendations and new issues from testimony. Whileadditionaltestimonyisnottaken,resourcewitnessesmaybeaskedtoprovideadditionalinformation,ifneeded.Seethetable,Sunset Review Timeframes,for anoverall time sequence for agencies subject toSunset review for thelegislativesessionin2013.

Sunset Review Timeframes

September 2011 AgenciessubmitSelf-EvaluationReports.

October 2011 to January 2013

Sunsetstaffconductsevaluationsandpreparesreports;SunsetCommissionholdspublichearingsandmakesdecisions.

February 2013 SunsetCommission submits itsReport to83rdLegislaturewithrecommendationsoneachoftheagenciesunderreview.

January 2013 to May 2013

83rd Legislature considers Sunset bills on agencies underreview.


What Changes Can Be Made Through Sunset?TheCommission’sreportonanagencymustincludearecommendationtoabolishorcontinuetheagencyandmayalsocontainotherrecommendations.IftheCommissionrecommendscontinuationofanagency,theCommissionmust provide draft legislation to the Legislature to continue the agencyforupto12years,andcorrectotherproblemsidentifiedduringtheSunsetreview.ThesectionHistory of Sunset Reviews,whichbeginsonpage11,givesexamplesofmajorchangesthathavebeenaccomplishedthroughtheSunsetprocess.Althoughnotrequiredbylaw,theCommission’slegislativememberstraditionallyintroduceandcarrySunsetlegislation.

AnagencyisautomaticallyabolishedunlesstheLegislaturepasseslegislationtocontinuetheagency.Ifanagencyisabolished,theSunsetActprovidesforaone-yearwind-downperiodtoconcludeitsoperations.Theagencyretainsfullauthorityandresponsibilityuntiltheendofthatyear,whenallpropertyandrecordsaretransferredtoanappropriatestateagency.

How Can the Public Participate in Sunset?Members of the public who participate in the review process can providevaluable informationto theSunsetCommissionabouthowwellorpoorlyan agency performs its functions. Individuals and organizations usuallyparticipatebyidentifyingpotentialissuesforstudyandbycommentingonproposedchangestotheagency.TheeasiestwaytofollowtheSunsetprocessandbeginparticipating in theprocess is through theSunsetCommissionwebsite,www.sunset.state.tx.us.ThefollowingpointsillustratethesignificantwaysthepubliccanparticipateintheSunsetreviewofanagency.

l Input with Staff.Thestaffseeksinputduringthereview,atwhichtimeinterestedpersonsandorganizationsmayvoicetheirconcernsorideasabouttheagency.

l Reviewing Sunset Reports. Sunset reports, including agency Self-Evaluation Reports, are available to the public through the Sunsetwebsite or in hard copy upon request. As each agency progressesthrough the process, Sunset staff adds material to the original staffreporttoreflectresponsesandissuesraisedatthehearing,decisionsbytheCommission,andfinalactionstakenbytheLegislature.Thechartonthefollowingpage,Sunset Staff Reports,showshowstaffreportsareamendedatdifferentpointsintheprocessalongwithabriefdescriptionofeach.

l Testifying at Public Hearings.TheCommissionholdspublichearingson each agency under review. These hearings offer the public anopportunity to testify about an agency and comment on the Sunsetstaff ’srecommendations.

A state agency undergoing

Sunset review is automatically

abolished unless the Legislature passes a bill to

continue it.

Public comment on an agency’s performance,

and suggestions for improvement,

are critical to the Sunset

review process.


l Taking Part in the Legislative Session. Generally, ifanagency is tobecontinued,abillmustbepassedbytheLegislature.Membersofthepubliccanparticipateinthelegislativeprocessastheywouldwithanyotherlegislation.

ForSunsettoreachitsfullpotential,eachTexanmustbeabletofullyandequallyparticipateineveryphaseoftheSunsetreview.Personswithspecialneedsorwhowish to request anAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct (ADA)accommodationshouldcontacttheSunsetADACoordinator.Inaddition,informationonaccommodationsforpeoplewithdisabilitiescanbefoundontheinsidebackcoverofthisreport.

PersonsinterestedinbeingplacedonSunset’smailinglistandreceivingthereviewschedule,meetingschedule,meetingagendas,orstaffreportsshouldcontacttheSunsetCommissionstaff.

How Does Sunset Coordinate With Other Oversight Agencies?TheSunsetCommissionisoneofseveralagencieschargedwithmonitoringstateagencyperformance.TheseotheroversightagenciesincludetheStateAuditor,LegislativeBudgetBoard,Governor’sOfficeofBudgetandPlanning,andLegislativeCommittees.SunsetregularlycoordinateswiththeseentitiestoreducethepossibilityofduplicationofeffortandtoassistinidentifyingissuesthatmaybebestaddressedbySunsetoranotheragency.Theroleofeachoversightagencyisfurtherexploredinthetextbox,Coordination With Other Oversight Agencies,onthefollowingpage.

Sunset Staff Reports

Staff Report Sunset staff develops a separate report on eachindividual agency, or on a group of related agencies.Each report contains both statutory and managementrecommendations developed after the staff ’s extensiveevaluationoftheagency.

Staff Report with Hearing Material

AddsresponsesfromagencystaffandthepublictoSunsetstaff recommendations, as well as new issues raised forconsideration by the Sunset Commission at its publichearing.

Staff Report with Decision Material

Addsadditionalresponses,testimony,ornewissuesraisedduringandafter thepublichearing forconsiderationbytheSunsetCommissionatitsdecisionmeeting.

Staff Report with Commission Decisions

Adds the decisions of the Sunset Commission on staffrecommendations and new issues. Statutory changesadopted by the Commission are presented to theLegislatureintheagency’sSunsetbill.

Final Report with Legislative Action

Adds action taken by the Legislature on SunsetCommissionrecommendationsandnewprovisionsaddedbytheLegislaturetotheagency’sSunsetbill.

Sunset staff reports are

available on the web at www.

sunset.state.tx.us


What Are Sunset Across-the-Board Recommendations?TheSunsetCommissionhasdevelopedasetofstandardrecommendationsthat are applied to agencies. Across-the-Board (ATB) recommendationsarestatutoryadministrativepoliciesadoptedbytheSunsetCommissionasstandards for state agencies, reflecting criteria in the Sunset Act designedto ensure open, responsive, and effective government. These ATBrecommendations reflect an effort by the Legislature to prevent problemsfrom occurring, instead of reacting to problems after the fact. A briefexplanationofeachATBfollows.

1. Public Membership on State Agency Boards While state agencies are designed to protect the health, welfare, andsafetyofthepublic,someagencieshavegoverningboardswithmembershiponlyfromtheregulatedindustryorgroupsaffectedbytheactivitiesoftheagency.Theseboardsmaybemoreresponsivetopublicinterestswithadirectpublicvoiceontheboard.Toensureappropriaterepresentation,thisATBrequiresthatascloseaspossibletoone-thirdoftheboardmembersrepresentthegeneralpublic.

Sunset “ATBs” are good government

standards applied to all

agencies under Sunset review.

Coordination With Other Oversight AgenciesState Auditor The Office of the State Auditor (SAO) reviews fiscal and managementcontrols, efficiency and effectiveness, and legal compliance of state agencies.Sunset staff considers the results of SAO audits when forming agencyrecommendations. In turn, the State Auditor may monitor agencyimplementationofSunsetmanagementrecommendations.

Legislative Budget Board The Legislative Budget Board (LBB) prepares the appropriations bill,fiscalnotesonproposedlegislation,performancereportsonstateagencies,andreviewsagencystrategicplans.Becauseofitsongoingreviewofstateagencies,theLBBservesasanimportantsourceofinformationtoSunsetstaffonagencyperformanceandbudgets.SunsetstaffalsoassistsLBBstaffincalculatingthebudgetaryimpactofrecommendationsinSunsetlegislation.

Governor’s Office of Budget and Planning The Office of Budget and Planning (Office) prepares the Governor’sbiennial budget recommendations for the Legislature to consider, monitorsstate appropriations and operations, and analyzes fiscal and economic issues.Through its regular monitoring of state agencies, the Office provides Sunsetstaffavaluableperspectiveonstateagencyperformance.

Legislative Committees During aSunset review, staffworks closelywith any standingor specialcommitteesthatarestudyingissuesrelatedtotheagencyinanefforttoidentifyissues and avoid duplication of effort. Previous committee reports are alsoreviewedtodeterminewhetheridentifiedproblemshavebeenresolved.


2. Prohibitions on Agency Conflicts of Interest Stateagenciesmayhavetieswithprofessionaltradeorganizationsandothergroupsthatmaynotbeinthepublicinterest.Conflictsofinterestcanalsoresultwhenanagency’sboardmembersorgeneralcounselareinvolvedinlobbying.ThisATBreducesthepossibilityofsuchconflicts.

3. Governor Designation of State Agency Board Chairs ThisATBrequirestheGovernortodesignatethepresidingofficerasameansofincreasingtheagency’saccountabilitytotheState’sleadership.

4. Specific Grounds for Removal of Agency Board Members ThisATBspecifiesthereasonsforwhichamemberofthepolicymakingbodymayberemoved.Topreventquestionsonthevalidityofactionstakenbyboards, theprovision clarifies that if grounds for removal exist, actionstakenbytheboardarestillvalid.

5. Board Member Training Members of policymaking bodies should be provided with adequateinformationand training toallow themtoproperlydischarge theirduties.Thisprovisionrequiresagenciestoprovidetrainingandestablishesthetypeoftrainingandinformationtobeincluded.

6. Separation of Agency Board and Staff Functions State agencies have difficulties when their policymaking bodies alsoadminister the agency. This recommendation requires each policymakingbodytoclearlyseparateitsfunctionsfromthoseofagencymanagement.

7. Public Testimony at Board Meetings This requirement ensures the opportunity for public input to thepolicymakingbodyonissuesunderitsjurisdiction.

8. Information on Complaints Sunsetreviewshavefoundthatsomeagenciesdonotmaintaincompleteinformationoncomplaints.Inadequateinformationslowstheresolutionofcomplaintsandlimitstheagency’sabilitytoprotectthepublic. ThisATBrequiresagenciestomaintainfilesoncomplaintsandtoinformpartiestoacomplaintofitsstatusandagencyinvestigationandresolutionprocedures.

9. Alternative Dispute Resolution This recommendation requires agencies to develop a written,comprehensive plan that encourages the use of alternative procedures foragencyrulemaking,andinternalandexternaldisputes.


The Occupational Licensing Model

helps ensure regulated

professions remain

accountable to the public.

What Is the Sunset Occupational Licensing Model?The Sunset Occupational Licensing Model is a collection of standardpracticesgleanedfrommorethan30yearsofSunsetCommissionreviews.Thecompilationofthesestandardpracticesprovidesamodelforevaluatingoccupationallicensingagencies,promotingefficiency,effectiveness,fairness,andaccountabilitytoprotectthepublic.TheSunsetCommissionusesthesestandardstoguidereviewsofagencystructure,oversight,andoperations.

The model examines every aspect of an occupational licensing agency orprogram from the need for the agency to how licensing and enforcementshould work. For example, the model contains a standard relating toagencylicensingthatsupportsminimumexperiencerequirementstoensurecompetency,butnotlimitentrytoaprofession.Asanotherexample,intheareaofenforcement, themodel indicates thatanagencyshouldhaveclearprocedures,rules,andstatutoryauthorityforconductinginspectionstoensureconsistenttreatmentoflicenseesandtimelycompliance.

Before recommending changes to an agency’s statute based on thesestandards,theSunsetCommissionconsidersthespecificcircumstancesoftheagencyandthehistoricalcontextoftheissues.Commonbenefitsofapplyinglicensingmodelstandardsincludeagencyefficiency,administrativeflexibility,fairer processes for the licensee, and additional protections for consumers.The licensingmodelcanbe foundontheSunsetwebsite, locatedatwww.sunset.state.tx.us.

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 History of Sunset Reviews 11

History of Sunset Reviews

Sunset has returned $29

for each dollar spent reviewing

agencies.

Through the Sunset process,

78 agencies have been abolished.

OverviewSincethefirstSunsetreviewsbeganin1977,theLegislaturehasrecognizedtheSunsetprocessasan important tool foroverseeingstateagenciesandbringing needed change to state government. Originally established toprovideanongoingevaluationofgovernmentefficiencyandeffectiveness,theLegislaturehasexpandedSunset’smissiontoserveitsneedforanalyzingsignificantstatepoliciesandforaddressingspecialconcernsregardingstateagencies.

EarlySunsetreviewsfocusedonwhethertheStateshouldregulatecertainoccupations and on how to ensure an arm’s-length relationship betweenregulatorsandtheregulated.TheSunsetprocesshasimprovedstateagencyoperations by providing opportunities for greater public participation indecisionmakingandbyguardingagainstpotentialandactualconflictsofinterest.Theprocessalsomakesiteasierforagenciestoachievetheirmissionbymakingneededchangestotheiroperationsorstructure.AstheSunsetprocesshasmaturedovertime,boththeCommissionandtheLegislaturehave focused on substantive changes to the policies carried out by stateagencies. Through thesekindsofchanges, theLegislaturecandeterminethedirectionandmissionofagenciesunderreview.

TheSunsetprocesshasstreamlinedandchangedstategovernment.SinceSunset’s inception in 1977, 78 agencies have been abolished, including37 agencies that were completely abolished and 41 that were abolishedwith certain functions transferred to existing or newly created agencies.In addition, even as the scope of reviews has expanded, the Legislaturehas approved a large majority of the recommendations of the SunsetCommission.Foragenciessubjecttoreviewbythe82ndLegislature,theSunsetCommissionadopted89percentofSunsetstaff ’srecommendations,and the Legislature adopted 75 percent of the Commission’srecommendations.

Sunset’s Fiscal ImpactThefiscal impactofSunset recommendationsover timecanbeestimatedthrough fiscal note data. Estimates from reviews conducted between1982and2011 indicate a29-yearpositivefiscal impactof approximately$945.4million,comparedwithexpendituresof$32.8millionfortheSunsetCommission. Based on these figures, every dollar spent on the SunsetprocesshasearnedtheStateapproximately$29inreturn.

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission History of Sunset Reviews January 201212

Sunset Action by Legislative SessionThefollowinginformationsummarizesthemostsignificantchangesresultingfromSunsetreviewsbylegislativesessiongoingbackto1979.Thetable,Legislative Action on Agencies Subject to Sunset, displaysthe total number of agencies reviewed and continued, abolished, abolished and transferred, or notsubjecttoabolishment.

Legislative Action on Agencies Subject to Sunset

Legislative Session

Reviews Conducted

Not Subject to

Abolishment*

Subject to Abolishment

Continued Abolished

Abolished & Functions

Transferred

82nd (2011) 29 4 19 2 4

81st (2009) 27 3 20 2 2

80th (2007) 20 4 14 1 1

79th (2005) 29 2 21 2 4

78th (2003) 29 3 23 1 2

77th (2001) 25 4 19 1 1

76th (1999) 25 1 22 1 1

75th (1997) 21 1 18 0 2

74th (1995) 18 2 14 0 2

73rd (1993) 31 3 22 1 5

72nd (1991) 30 2 20 3 5

71st (1989) 30 3 22 3 2

70th (1987) 20 1 17 1 1

69th (1985) 31 1 23 6 1

68th (1983) 32 0 29 3 0

67th (1981) 28 0 23 3 2

66th (1979) 26 0 13 7 6

TOTAL 451 34 339 37 41

81% 9% 10%

* This includes agencies subject to Sunset review but not abolishment, and agencies reviewed but whose Sunset dates were then removed from law.


82nd Legislature — 2011The82ndLegislatureexamined29entitiesunderSunset review, including fourentitiesnot subjecttoabolishment.Sixentitieswereabolishedduringthiscycle.TheLegislaturepassedlegislationthatcontinuedtheremaining19agencies,makingsignificantchangestomanyoftheseagencies.ChangesenactedthroughSunsetlegislationresultedinmorethan$161millioninexpectedsavingsandrevenuegainsoverthenextbiennium.

Mostsignificantly,theLegislatureabolishedandmergedthefunctionsoftheTexasYouthCommissionand Texas Juvenile Probation Commission into a single new agency, the Texas Juvenile JusticeDepartment.TheLegislaturealsoabolishedtheCoastalCoordinationCouncil,On-siteWastewaterTreatmentResearchCouncil, andEquineResearchAccountAdvisoryCommittee. TheElectronicGovernment Program Management Office of the Department of Information Resources expiredwithoutlegislativeactionduetoitsinactivestatus.

FouragencieswerecontinuedforonlytwoyearsandplacedunderSunsetreviewagainforthe2012-13biennium.ThisincludedtheRailroadCommissionofTexasandPublicUtilityCommissionofTexas,whoseSunsetbillsfailedtopass;andtheDepartmentofInformationResourcesandTexasDepartmentofHousingandCommunityAffairs,whoseSunsetbillspassedbutwerelatervetoedbytheGovernor,ahistoricfirst.Subsequentlegislationallowedthesetwoagenciestocontinuefortwoyears.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetin2011arehighlightedbelow,followedbyalistingofactionstakenoneachagency.

texaS dePartment of tranSPortation

Restore trust, accountability, and responsiveness at TxDOT, and provide additional tools to help TxDOT and local transportation entities better meet the State’s transportation needs.

TheTexasDepartmentofTransportationSunsetbillwastheculminationoffouryearsofreviewandconsiderationbyboththeSunsetCommissionandtheLegislatureaimedatrestoringlegislativeandpublictrustandconfidenceintheDepartment.ThebillstrengthenedTxDOT’sinternalcontrols,inpartthroughanenhancedcomplianceprogramandcomplainttrackingsystem,andrequiredTxDOTto implement an improved public involvement policy. The bill also established a more integratedand understandable transportation planning process, including an expedited environmental reviewprocessforcertainprojectsandanonlineprojectreportingsystem.Thebillexpandedtransportationcontracting tools by authorizing comprehensive development agreements for select transportationprojectsandallowingTxDOTandRegionalMobilityAuthoritiestoenterintocertaindesign-buildcontracts for highway projects. Finally, the bill maintained the current five-member, Governor-appointedTransportationCommission,butcontinuedTxDOTforfouryears,ratherthanthestandard12,tokeeptheDepartmentundercloselegislativescrutinytoensureneededchangeshaveoccurred.

Juvenile JuStice agencieS – texaS youth commiSSion, texaS Juvenile Probation commiSSion, office of indePendent ombudSman of texaS youth commiSSion

Unify the State’s juvenile justice agencies into a single agency focused on diverting youth from state institutions and serving them more effectively in their communities.

TheSunsetbillmergedtwostateagencies—oneoverseeingcountyjuvenileprobationprogramsandtheotherprovidingstatecaretomoreseriousyouthfuloffenders—intoanewTexasJuvenileJustice


Department. By streamlining state-level juvenile justice functions, the bill reduced organizationalbarriers tocreateamoreseamlesssystemthatenhancesbothoutcomesforyouthandpublicsafety.Recognizingthesuccessoflocalcommunitiesinrehabilitatingtroubledyouth,theLegislaturemadeitamissionoftheDepartmenttoprioritizelocalprobationabovecommitmentofyouthtotheState.Anewpolicyboard,madeupoflocaljudges,probationprofessionals,andexpertsinadolescentmentalhealthandeducation,directsandoverseestheDepartment.Becauseofthesignificanceofthechangesin the legislation, the Department will undergo Sunset review again in six years, rather than thestandard12.

texaS commiSSion on environmental Quality

Give TCEQ structure to ensure that it can identify violations and take action appropriately against regulated entities, be more transparent in the way that it makes and communicates its decisions, and has proper funding mechanisms in place to meet its responsibilities.

The Sunset bill on TCEQ improved the agency’s ability to take appropriate enforcement actionby increasing administrative penalty caps and imposing greater transparency both in its generalenforcementapproachandspecificpolicies. Inconjunctionwiththesechanges, toassistTCEQinappropriately targeting regulation, the bill revamped TCEQ’s approach in evaluating compliancehistorytoensureitfairlyandaccuratelymeasuresentities’performance.Toensureresponsivenesstoenvironmentalandcitizenconcerns,thebillestablishedtheExecutiveDirectorasthecentralpointofaccesstoprovideassistanceandeducationtothepublic.ToallowTCEQtocontinuetopreventandremediategroundwatercontamination,thebillreauthorizedfivepetroleumstoragetankremediationfees.Thischangealonecontributedmuchtothebill’soverallexpectedgainofabout$56.3milliontotheStateinthenextbiennium.Finally,thebillcontinuedTCEQfor12years,andtransferredcertainoil-andgas-relatedregulatoryactivitiestotheRailroadCommission.

texaS dePartment of inSurance and diviSion of workerS’ comPenSation of tdi

Enhance the transparency and accountability of insurance regulation in Texas and build on past efforts to improve the workers’ compensation system.

TheSunsetbillontheTexasDepartmentofInsurance(TDI)continuedtheagencyfor12years.TheLegislaturealsohonedTDI’sexistingpropertyandcasualtyrateregulatoryframeworktoprovideclarity,predictability,andtransparencytothesystembymoreclearlydefiningthetoolsthatTDIusestoreviewrates,requestadditionalinformation,andplaceinsurancecompaniesundermorestringentregulation.TheseparateSunsetbillforTDI’sDivisionofWorkers’Compensation(DWC)continuedtheDivisionforsixyearstogivetheLegislaturetheopportunitytocontinuemonitoringimplementationofmajorreformspassedinpreviouslegislativesessions.ThebillalsobuildsonsuchreformsbystreamliningtheDivision’sdisputeresolutiontoprovidesystemparticipantswithaquicker,moreaccessiblealternativetoresolvingdisputesinthecourts.AdditionalstatutorychangesfurtheralignedtheDivisionwithinTDI, ensuring that bothTDI and DWC Commissioners have parallel enforcement authority andnecessarytoolstoregulatealllinesofinsurance.


Agencies Continued in 2011EmergencyCommunications,CommissiononStateEnvironmentalQuality,TexasCommissiononForestService,TexasHearingInstruments,StateCommitteeofExaminersintheFittingandDispensingofHousingandCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentofHousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordableInformationResources,DepartmentofInjuredEmployeeCounsel,OfficeofInsurance,TexasDepartmentofInsuranceCounsel,OfficeofPublicPublicFinanceAuthority,TexasPublicUtilityCommissionofTexasPublicUtilityCounsel,OfficeofRacingCommission,TexasRailroadCommissionofTexasSoilandWaterConservationBoard,StateSpeech-LanguagePathologyandAudiology,StateBoardofExaminersforTransportation,TexasDepartmentofWorkers’CompensationofTDI,Divisionof

Agencies Abolished in 2011ElectronicGovernmentProgramManagementOfficeoftheDepartmentofInformationResourcesEquineResearchAccountAdvisoryCommittee

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2011CoastalCoordinationCouncilJuvenileProbationCommission,TexasOn-siteWastewaterTreatmentResearchCouncilYouthCommission,Texas

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 2011CapitalMetropolitanTransportationAuthorityElectricReliabilityCouncilofTexasIndependentOmbudsmanofTYC,OfficeofWaterDevelopmentBoard,Texas


81st Legislature — 2009The81stLegislature examined27 state agencies andboardsunderSunset review. TheLegislaturepassedlegislationthatcontinued20agencies.Sixentities,theTexasDepartmentofTransportation,Texas Department of Insurance, Office of Public Insurance Counsel, Texas Racing Commission,EquineResearchAccountAdvisoryCommittee,andTexasStateAffordableHousingCorporation,werecontinued,butforonlytwoyears,whentheirSunsetbillsfailedtopass.Inaddition,theLegislaturecontinuedtheOfficeofState-FederalRelationsasanindependentagencyandadministrativelyattachedtheOfficetotheOfficeoftheGovernor.

The Legislature abolished the Texas Residential Construction Commission, and abolished andtransferredthefunctionsoftwootheragencies.Forfourotheragencies,theLegislatureremovedtheagencies’separateSunsetdates,providingthattheybereviewedinconjunctionwiththestateagenciestowhichtheyareadministrativelyattached.TheLegislaturealsoabolishedtheTexas-IsraelExchangeFundBoard,allowingitsfunctiontocontinuewiththeTexasDepartmentofAgriculture,butwithoutanindependentboard.KeychangesmadethroughSunsetin2009arehighlightedbelow.

agriculture agencieS – texaS dePartment of agriculture, PreScribed burning board, texaS-iSrael exchange fund board, boll weevil eradication foundation

Refocus agriculture finance programs, strengthen enforcement of prescribed burn managers, eliminate unnecessary programs and regulation, and provide greater flexibility in the boll weevil eradication program.

The Sunset bill continued the Department of Agriculture and restructured theTexas AgriculturalFinanceAuthority’sprogramssothattheybettermeettheneedsofTexasagriculture.ThebillcontinuedthePrescribedBurningBoardasasemi-independentboardandstrengtheneditsenforcementauthorityover noncompliant licensees and unlicensed activity. The bill abolished theTexas-Israel ExchangeFund Board, and gave the Department the discretion to seek funding for cooperative agriculturalresearch as the agency seesfit. Thebillmadenumerous changes to strengthen and streamline theDepartment’sregulatoryprograms.ItalsoestablishedprogramsattheDepartmenttopromoteruraleconomicdevelopmentandcreatedaquasi-governmentalentity tocontrolcitruspests. AseparateSunsetbillprovidedtheBollWeevilEradicationFoundationflexibility inthecollectionanduseofgrowerassessmentstomeetthechangingnatureofbollweevileradicationefforts.

Juvenile JuStice agencieS – texaS youth commiSSion, texaS Juvenile Probation commiSSion, office of indePendent ombudSman of tyc

Ensure better coordination of data sharing, integration of rehabilitative programs, and enhanced reentry services among youth-serving agencies.

The Legislature continued theTexas Youth Commission (TYC) and theTexas Juvenile ProbationCommission (TJPC) as separate agencies with separate governing boards for two years. The billfocusedthe2011SunsetreviewoncompliancewithSenateBill103,80thLegislature;lawspassedbythe81stLegislatureaffectingtheagencies;andrequirementsforcoordinationofmajoractivitiesandservicesamongTYC,TJPC,andcountyjuvenilejusticeauthorities.TheSunsetbillrequiredtheOfficeofIndependentOmbudsmantoundergoSunsetreviewduringthesametimeperiodasTYC.Thebillestablished aCoordinatedStrategicPlanningCommittee, co-chairedby thedirectors ofTYCand


TJPC,tofacilitateimproveddatasharingbetweenyouth-servingagencies;developmentofcommonriskassessmentinstruments;andcoordinationofaftercareservices.TheSunsetbillalsorequiredtheagenciestotracktheoverallperformanceofthestate’sjuvenilejusticesystem.

dePartment of Public Safety

Increase oversight of agency programs and clarify emergency management roles.

TheSunsetbill continued theDepartmentofPublicSafety (DPS) for six years and requiredDPStomanagethevehicleinspectionprogramasacivilianbusinessoperationwithestablishedgoalsandperformance outcomes. The bill renamed the Office of Internal Affairs as the Office of InspectorGeneral and increased its oversight by the Public Safety Commission. The bill also clarified thatemergencymanagementisaDPSfunctionwithcontinuingtiestotheGovernor’sOffice.

texaS reSidential conStruction commiSSion

Abolish the Texas Residential Construction Commission.

BecauseofperceivedfundamentalflawsintheState’sapproachtoregulatingtheresidentialconstructionindustry, Sunset staff recommended abolishing the Texas Residential Construction Commission.Instead,theSunsetCommissionvotedtocontinuetheagencywithchangestomaketheagencymoreresponsivetohomeownerneedsandtoclarifytheagency’senforcementauthorityoverbuilders.Afterconsideringseveralprovisionsstrengtheningtheregulationofhomebuilders,however,theLegislaturechosenottopasstheResidentialConstructionCommission’sSunsetbill.Asaresult,theCommissionwasabolishedonSeptember1,2009.

Agencies Continued in 2009Agriculture,TexasDepartmentofBollWeevilEradicationFoundation,BoardofDirectorsoftheOfficialCottonGrowers’CreditUnionCommissionEquineResearchAccountAdvisoryCommitteeFireProtection,TexasCommissiononHousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordableInsurance,TexasDepartmentofInsuranceCounsel,OfficeofPublicJailStandards,CommissiononJuvenileProbationCommission,TexasLawEnforcementOfficerStandardsandEducation,TexasCommissiononMilitaryPreparednessCommission,TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment,TexasPrescribedBurningBoardPrivateSecurityBoard,TexasPublicSafety,TexasDepartmentofRacingCommission,Texas


State-FederalRelations,OfficeofTransportation,TexasDepartmentofYouthCommission,Texas

Agencies Abolished in 2009ResidentialConstructionCommission,TexasTexas-IsraelExchangeFundBoard

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2009PolygraphExaminersBoardTaxProfessionalExaminers,Boardof

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 2009FacilitiesCommission,TexasMedicalBoard,TexasIndependentOmbudsmanofTYC,Officeof

80th Legislature — 2007The80thLegislatureevaluated20agenciesandboardsunderSunsetreview,fourofwhichwerenotsubject toabolishmentorhad theirSunsetdates removed. TheLegislature continued14agencies,abolishedone,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofanother.TheLegislaturealsodirectedtheSunsetCommissiontocontinueevaluationofoneagencyunderreview,theOfficeofState-FederalRelations,byextendingitsSunsetdateforonlytwoyears.Forthe80thLegislativeSession,Sunsetlegislationresultedinmorethan$447,000insavingsandrevenuegainsduringthenextbiennium.Also,severalbillscontainedchangesthatwentbeyondSunset’straditionalroleofeliminatingduplicationand waste, reflecting larger policy issues that both the Commission and Legislature considered toimproveservicestothecitizensofTexas.

criminal JuStice agencieS – texaS dePartment of criminal JuStice, board of PardonS and ParoleS, correctional managed health care committee

Ensure better information to policymakers regarding the criminal justice system, improve processes for parole decision making, and strengthen the oversight and transparency of correctional health care.

The Legislature continued the Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ) for four years andestablishedaCriminalJusticeLegislativeOversightCommitteetoprovideobjectiveresearch,analysis,andrecommendationstohelpguidestatecriminaljusticepolicies.TheSunsetbillauthorizedjudgestopermittheearlymedicalreleaseofstatejailconfineeswhoposenorisktopublicsafetyduetotheirmedicalconditions,andrequiredTDCJtoestablishaprocess for identifyingandreleasingeligible,low-riskoffendersfromparoleandmandatorysupervisionearly.ThebillalsorequiredtheBoardofPardonsandParolestoannuallyreviewandupdateitsparoleguidelines,andreportandexplaintotheLegislatureitseffortstomeetthem.Finally,thebillrequiredTDCJtomonitorthequalityofhealthcareprovidedtooffenders,andmadeinformationaboutoffenderhealthcarereadilyavailabletothepublicandoffenders.


texaS board of nurSing

Simplify the Nurse Board’s process for approving nursing education programs and encourage an innovative approach by the Board for dealing with the nursing shortage in Texas.

TheSunsetbillprovidedfortheNurseBoardtoapprovenursingeducationprogramsbyrelyingonnationalnursingaccreditingagenciesinsteadofongoingNurseBoardapproval,similartohowotherhealthlicensingagenciesapproveeducationprograms.Inaddition,theNurseBoardhadtostreamlineitsinitialapprovalprocessbycoordinatingandeliminatingoverlapwiththeTexasHigherEducationCoordinatingBoardandtheTexasWorkforceCommissionintheirprocessesforapprovingeducationalinstitutions.Thebillalsorequiredhospital-baseddiplomaprogramsforregisterednursestoentitleastudenttoadegreeuponcompletionoftheprogramby2015,anditrequiredtheNursingBoardtoworkwitheducationstakeholderstoimplementaplanforpromotingincreasedenrollmentinnursingeducationprograms.

office of rural community affairS

Refocus the Office of Rural Community Affair’s mission and change its leadership to more effectively serve as a voice for rural Texas.

TheLegislaturecontinuedtheOfficeofRuralCommunityAffairs(ORCA)forsixyears,ratherthanforfouryears,asoriginallyproposedbytheSunsetCommission.TheSunsetbillnarrowedORCA’smissionbyrequiringtheagencytoserveasaclearinghouseforinformationonruralprograms,andtoidentifyandprioritizethemostcritical issuesfacingruralTexasandmakerecommendationstotheLegislaturetoaddressthesekeyconcerns.Thebillcreatedanew11-memberBoardcomposedofeightpublicmembers,tworuralofficialsorcityorcountyemployees,andtheCommissionerofAgriculture.The Legislature modified the bill to remove direct appointments to the Board by the LieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHouse,andinsteadprovidedforappointmentbytheGovernorofsixindividualsselectedfromlistsofnomineessubmittedbytheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHouse.ThebillrequiredthatallappointeesresideinruralcitiesorcountiesandauthorizestheGovernortoappointthepresidingofficer.

texaS Structural PeSt control board

Abolish the Structural Pest Control Board and transfer its functions to the Texas Department of Agriculture.

TheSunsetbillabolishedtheBoardasanindependentagencyandtransferredtheregulationofthestructuralpest control industry to theDepartmentofAgriculture. Thebill establishedanadvisorycommittee,withmembersappointedbytheAgricultureCommissioner,toadvisetheDepartmentonstructuralpestcontrolissues.ThebillalsorequiredtheDepartmenttodeveloparisk-basedapproachto inspections,a formalprocess forexamdevelopment,andmoreclearandconsistentguidance forpesticideuseinschools.


texaS animal health commiSSion

Improve the Animal Health Commission’s ability to adapt to a changing animal health environment by clarifying its role in emergency management.

TheSunsetbillclarifiedtheAnimalHealthCommission’ssignificantlyexpandedroleinemergencymanagementbyprovidingstatutoryauthoritytoplanfor,preparefor,andrespondtoemergenciesthatimpactlivestockandfowl.TheSunsetbillalsoremovedlimitationsonseveralemergencymanagementtoolsbyclarifyingtheCommission’sauthoritytoissuestatewidequarantinesanddisposeofdiseasedcarcasses.Inaddition,thebillrequiredtheCommissiontoconductastudyoftheState’scapacitytoperformdiseasetestingforlivestockandfowlduringemergencies.

Agencies Continued in 2007AlcoholicBeverageCommission,TexasAnimalHealthCommission,TexasArts,TexasCommissionontheCorrectionalManagedHealthCareCommitteeCriminalJustice,TexasDepartmentofHigherEducationTuitionBoard,PrepaidHistoricalCommission,TexasLibraryandArchivesCommission,TexasStateNursing,TexasBoardofRealEstateCommission,TexasRiskManagement,StateOfficeofRuralCommunityAffairs,OfficeofState-FederalRelations,OfficeofVeteransCommission,Texas

Agency Abolished in 2007HistoricalRepresentationAdvisoryCommittee

Agency Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2007StructuralPestControlBoard,Texas

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 2007PardonsandParoles,BoardofTeacherRetirementSystemofTexasVeterans’LandBoard

Agency Removed From Review in 2007VeterinaryMedicalDiagnosticLaboratory,Texas


79th Legislature — 2005The79thLegislatureevaluated29agenciesandfiveotherentitiesunderSunsetreview,twoofwhichwere not subject to abolishment. Final action continued 21 entities, abolished two, and abolishedandtransferredfour.TheLegislaturedirectedtheSunsetCommissiontocontinueevaluationoftwoagenciesunderreview,theTexasEducationAgencyandtheTexasAlcoholicBeverageCommission,byextendingtheirSunsetdatesforonlytwoyears.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationin2005arehighlightedbelow.

texaS State board of barber examinerS and texaS coSmetology commiSSion

Abolish the Texas State Board of Barber Examiners and the Texas Cosmetology Commission and transfer the agencies’ functions to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation.

The79thLegislaturemadeconsiderablechangestoeffectivelyregulatethebarberingandcosmetologyindustries. TheSunsetbillabolishedthetwoagencies,andtransferredtheregulatoryand licensingfunctionstotheTexasDepartmentofLicensingandRegulation(TDLR).ThebillcreatedtwonewadvisorycommitteesatTDLRtoadvisetheCommissiononLicensingandRegulationontechnicalmattersrelatingtobarberingandcosmetology.Finally,thebillfocusedtheregulationofbarbersandcosmetologists,requiringinspectionstoberisk-based,targetingsanitationviolations.

texaS medical board

Improve the Medical Board’s ability to enforce its Act by clarifying the use and confidentiality of peer review documents in hearings by the Board and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.

TheSunsetbillclarifiedthattheMedicalBoard’scurrentauthoritytodisclosepeerreviewdocumentsindisciplinaryhearingsextendstoformalcontestedcasehearingsbeforetheStateOfficeofAdministrativeHearings(SOAH). Thebill specifiedthatpeerreviewinformationmaynotbeusedasevidenceatSOAH,exceptasthebasisfortheopinionofanexpertwitnesscalledbytheMedicalBoard.Thebillalsoclarified thatpeer reviewdocuments remainconfidential at theBoardandatSOAHand thatifadmittedintoevidenceatSOAH,theymustbeadmittedunderseal.Inaddition,theLegislatureaddedaprovisionthatestablishedgroundsfordisciplinaryactionforphysicianswhoperformcertainabortions.

Public utility commiSSion of texaS

Strengthen PUC’s oversight of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and improve its accountability to the public.

The Sunset bill clarified PUC’s complete oversight authority over all facets of ERCOT’s finances,budget,andoperations.ThebillalsorequiredERCOTtoaddtwoindependentBoardmembersbySeptember2006;providedthattheBoardChairmustbeanindependentmember;requiredERCOTBoardmemberstodiscloseanyconflictsofinterest,andrecusethemselvesfromvotesdirectlyrelatedto those interests;andrequiredBoardmeetings tobeopen. Inaddition, thebillgrantedPUCtheability toassessup to$25,000 inadministrativepenaltiesagainstERCOT. Finally, theSunsetbillrequiredERCOTtoperformmarketmonitoringthroughacontractwithaprivatecompanyselectedbyPUC.


texaS workerS’ comPenSation commiSSion

Abolish the Workers’ Compensation Commission and transfer its functions to the Department of Insurance, and establish a network approach for workers’ compensation.

TheLegislaturemodifiedtheSunsetprovisionstoestablishaDivisionofWorkers’CompensationwithintheDepartmentofInsurancetoadministerandoperatetheworkers’compensationsystem,includingregulatory,dispute resolution,andworkplaceeducationandsafetyprogramfunctionsperformedbyTWCC.TheSunsetbillcreatedaGovernor-appointedCommissionerofWorkers’CompensationtoadministertheDivisionandadoptrules.Thebillalsosimplifiedtheprovisionofworkers’compensationhealthcarebyallowingnetworkssimilartothosefoundingrouphealthinsurance.Inaddition,thebillenhancedthedeliveryandqualityofbenefitsforinjuredworkerstofocusonimprovingoutcomesforreturntowork.

Agencies Continued in 2005AcupunctureExaminers,TexasStateBoardofAlcoholicBeverageCommission,TexasChiropracticExaminers,TexasBoardofEducationAgency,TexasEducatorCertification,StateBoardforGuaranteedStudentLoanCorporation,TexasLotteryCommission,TexasMedicalBoard,TexasOptometryBoard,TexasPharmacy,TexasStateBoardofPhysicianAssistantExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPodiatricMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPsychologists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofPublicUtilityCommissionofTexasPublicUtilityCounsel,OfficeofStateHealthServices,Departmentof Counselors,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofProfessional Dietitians,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof MarriageandFamilyTherapists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof MidwiferyBoard,Texas SocialWorkerExaminers,TexasStateBoardofVeterinaryMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardof

Agencies Abolished in 2005FilmIndustryDevelopmentLoanGuaranteeProgram,TexasTelecommunicationsInfrastructureFundBoard


Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2005BarberExaminers,TexasStateBoardofCosmetologyCommission,TexasPerfusionists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofWorkers’CompensationCommission,Texas

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 2005WindhamSchoolDistrict

Agency Removed From Review in 2005EducationServiceCenters,Regional

78th Legislature — 2003The78thLegislaturereviewed29agenciesunderSunsetreview,threeofwhichwerenotsubjecttoabolishment.Finalactioncontinued23agenciesandentities,abolishedachapteroflaw,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsoftwootheragencies.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationin2003follow.

texaS dePartment of economic develoPment and texaS aeroSPace commiSSion

Abolish the Texas Department of Economic Development and the Texas Aerospace Commission and transfer their primary functions to the newly created Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the Governor’s Office.

The 78th Legislature established a new structure and focus for the State’s economic developmentefforts. Thebill passedby theLegislature created theTexasEconomicDevelopmentBankwithinthe Office to ensure communities and businesses have access to capital for economic developmentpurposes.ThebillalsorequiredtheOfficetoidentifyandassistindustryclustersinthestate,includingadvanced technology industries. Lastly, the bill called for improved coordination among the stateagenciesinvolvedintourismactivities.

texaS workforce commiSSion

Continue the Texas Workforce Commission for six years and improve customer service.

TheTexasWorkforceCommission(TWC)SunsetbillclearlyseparatedthepowersanddutiesoftheCommissionersfromtheExecutiveDirectorandstaff.Further,itdirectedTWCtopartnerwiththebusinesscommunitytobetterequipworkersandjobseekerswiththeskillsrequiredtocompeteforjobsinthisstate.Thebillrequiredintegrationofkeyworkforceprogramstostreamlinethedeliveryofservices,andrequiredTWCtoestablishcontractingguidelinesforlocalworkforceboards.Inaddition,theLegislatureauthorizedTWCtousebondstoreplenishtheunemploymentcompensationfundandpayunemploymentbenefitsratherthanborrowingfromthefederalgovernment.


texaS ethicS commiSSion

Grant the Texas Ethics Commission additional authority to conduct complaint investigations and streamline the complaint process by eliminating unnecessary steps and setting timelines for resolution.

ThebillpassedbytheLegislatureexpandedtheuseoftheCommission’selectronicfilingsystemtomakecampaignfinanceinformationeasilyaccessibletothepublic.Itfurtherincreasedpenaltiesforlate-filedreportsandestablishedadditionalcontrolsovercampaignfinances.Thebillalsoprohibitedlegislatorsfromrepresentingclientsbeforestateagenciesandrequiredlegislatorswhoarelawyerstoreportalllegislativecontinuances.

State bar of texaS

Simplify the State Bar’s disciplinary process and make it more responsible to both aggrieved clients and lawyers.

TheSunsetbillestablishedastatutoryframeworkfortheStateBar’sgrievancesystemtostreamlinetheprocess, improveaccountability,promoteconsistency, reduce resolution time,andprovidebetterassistancetothepublic.Inaddition,thebillincreasedfundingforlegalservicestotheindigentandforgrantstocountiesforindigentdefenseservices.

texaS higher education coordinating board

Strengthen the Board’s ability to ensure the State meets the goals of Closing the Gaps, the master plan for higher education in Texas.

TheBoard’sSunsetbillrequiredtheTexasHigherEducationCoordinatingBoardtoannuallyassesshowitsactivitiessupporttheHigherEducationPlan,ClosingtheGaps,andreporttotheLegislatureonstatutorychangesthatwouldallowtheagencytobettersupporttheplan.TheSunsetbillrequiredtheCoordinatingBoardtoreporttotheLegislatureonchangestothehighereducationfundingsystemthatbestsupportClosingtheGaps.Italsorestructuredloanforgivenessprogramsadministeredbytheagencyintoloanrepaymentprograms.Inaddition,thesizeoftheCoordinatingBoardwasreducedfrom18toninemembers.

Agencies Continued in 2003Accountancy,TexasStateBoardofPublicAdministrativeHearings,StateOfficeofArchitecturalExaminers,TexasBoardofBarofTexas,StateCorrectionalorRehabilitationFacilitySubchapterCourtReportersCertificationBoardDentalExaminers,StateBoardofEducatorCertification,StateBoardforEngineers,TexasBoardofProfessionalFuneralServiceCommission,TexasHigherEducationCoordinatingBoard,TexasHousingandCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentof


HousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordableLandSurveying,TexasBoardofProfessionalLawExaminers,BoardofLicensingandRegulation,TexasDepartmentofLotteryCommission,TexasPlumbingExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPurchasingfromPeoplewithDisabilities,TexasCouncilonSelf-DirectedSemi-IndependentAgencyProjectActTaxProfessionalExaminers,BoardofWorkforceCommission,TexasWorkforceandEconomicCompetitiveness,TexasCouncilon

Agency Abolished in 2003RidingStablesChapter

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2003AerospaceCommission,TexasEconomicDevelopment,TexasDepartmentof

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 2003EthicsCommission,TexasHealth,TexasDepartmentofHumanServices,TexasDepartmentof

77th Legislature — 2001The77thLegislaturereviewed25stateagencies,fourofwhichwerenotsubjecttoabolishment.Finalactioncontinued19agencies,abolishedone,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofanother.KeychangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationin2001follow.

texaS dePartment of houSing and community affairS

Increase the Department’s public accountability and ensure that the agency allocates resources to best meet the State’s most pressing housing needs.

TheLegislaturecontinuedTDHCAforatwo-yearprobationaryperiodtoprovideforanevaluationofwhetherTDHCAsuccessfullycarriedouttheSunsetrecommendationsbeforethenextlegislativesession. The final bill restructured the Department’s Governing Board, provided meaningfulopportunitiesforpublicparticipationatBoardmeetingsandpublichearings,andmadeinformationaboutcommunityresourcesandaffordablehousingeasilyaccessibletothepublic. Thebillrequiredthat the Department strategically plan to serve Texans with the greatest need, and required thattheagencyuse itsmulti-familyhousingfinanceprogramstomaximizeresourcesandoutcomes. Inaddition,theSunsetlegislationensuredthattheDepartment’sprogramsprovidefairaccesstohousing.TheLegislatureaddedconsiderableimplementationdetailtomanyoftheinitialSunsetCommissionrecommendations,mostnotablyconcerninghousingpreservationandtheadministrationofthelowincomehousingtaxcreditprogram.


texaS natural reSource conServation commiSSion

Improve the agency’s position to address the State’s environmental regulatory needs.

ThebillpassedbytheLegislaturegaveregulatedentitiesalargerstakeinprotectingtheenvironmentbyestablishingaperformance-basedregulatorystructuretiedtotheircompliancehistory.TNRCC’sSunset bill also reflected Sunset recommendations providing the agency tools to better support itsenvironmentalprotectionmissionandaffordinggreaterpublicaccesstotheagency’sdecision-makingprocess. The bill also contained several provisions added by the Legislature such as changing theagency’snametotheCommissiononEnvironmentalQualityby2004,permittingof“grandfathered”facilities,andcontinuingtheprogramforremediatingleakingundergroundpetroleumstoragetanks.

texaS ParkS and wildlife dePartment

Improve TPWD’s ability to protect the State’s natural and cultural resources and to provide outdoor recreation opportunities for Texans.

TheDepartment’sSunsetbillrequiredittoassessthestate’sconservationandrecreationalneedsandbaseitsoperationsonthisassessment.Thebillestablishedstandardbusinessoversightmechanismsforcommercialventuresandotherdepartmentoperations. ThebillalsostrengthenedtheTPWD’shistoricalsitesprogram.Lastly,thebillprohibitedthepromotionoftobaccoinTPWDpublicationsandensuredthatadvertisingisappropriateforviewingbyyouth.

railroad commiSSion of texaS

Improve the State’s ability to clean up and prevent abandoned oil wells.

BasedonaSunsetCommissionrecommendation,theLegislatureincreasedfundingforoilfieldcleanupand well-plugging activities by increasing the fees used to fund environmental protection effortsthroughtheOilFieldCleanupFund.ThebillalsostrengthenedthefinancialsecurityrequirementsofoilandgasoperatorstoensuretheirresponsibilitytocleanuptheiroilfieldsitesandthusreducetheState’sliabilityforpollutionandabandonedwells.Thebillalsocreatedavoluntarycleanupprogramthat releasednon-responsibleparties fromfuture liability,andsuggestedtheadoptionof risk-basedassessmentcleanuprulestoguideremediationefforts.

general ServiceS commiSSion

Transfer responsibility for state telecommunication operations from GSC to the Department of Information Resources.

The final bill transferred technology functions to the Department of Information Resources andrenamedandreconstitutedtheCommissionastheTexasBuildingandProcurementCommissiontoreflectitsnewfocusonprocurementandbuildingconstructionandmaintenanceoperations.ThebillimplementedtheState’selectronicprocurementnetworkandstreamlinedtheState’ssurpluspropertyprogram.


texaS funeral Service commiSSion

Improve the overall regulation of the funeral care industry.

TheFuneralServiceCommission’sSunsetbillrequiredtheagencytoeffectivelylicense,inspect,andinvestigate complaints against funeraldirectors and embalmers. Thebill required theCommissiontoadoptguidelinesforimposingsanctionsandfines.ItalsoauthorizedtheCommissiontoregisterownersandoperatorsofcemeteriesandcrematories.TheLegislatureapprovedatwo-yearcontinuationfortheCommissiontoensurethattheneededchangesareeffectivelyimplemented.

Agencies Continued in 2001AircraftPoolingBoard,StateBanking,DepartmentofCoastalCoordinationCouncilConsumerCreditCommissioner,OfficeofEconomicDevelopment,TexasDepartmentofFinanceCommissionofTexasFireFighters’PensionCommissioner,OfficeofFuneralServiceCommission,TexasGeneralServicesCommissionHousingandCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentofHousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordableNaturalResourceConservationCommission,TexasParksandWildlifeDepartment,TexasPensionReviewBoard,StatePreventionofDevelopmentalDisabilities,TexasOfficefortheRailroadCommissionofTexasSavingsandLoanDepartmentSecuritiesBoard,StateSoilandWaterConservationBoard,State

Agency Abolished in 2001EnergyCoordinationCouncil,Texas

Agency Abolished with Functions Transferred in 2001Homeless,TexasInteragencyCouncilforthe

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 2001ChildSupportDivision,OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralChildren’sTrustFundofTexasCouncilJudicialConduct,StateCommissiononWaterDevelopmentBoard,State


76th Legislature — 1999The76thLegislaturereviewed25agencies, includingonenotsubject toabolishment. Finalactioncontinued22agencies,abolishedone,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofanother.Majorchangesmadein1999throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

texaS health and human ServiceS commiSSion

Strengthen the Health and Human Services Commission.

The Sunset Commission found that eight years after HHSC’s creation, health and humanservices agencies continued to work in isolation, services were fragmented, and the State lackedanoverall strategic visionordirection for these criticalprograms. TheLegislature adoptedSunsetrecommendations to continue the Commission for eight years and to clearly direct and empowerHHSCtocreateastreamlined,integratedsystemofbusinessfunctionsacrossthehealthandhumanservicesenterprise.TheSunsetbillalsoauthorizedtheHealthandHumanServicesCommissionertoappointorremovehealthandhumanservicesagencyexecutivedirectorswiththeconcurrenceoftheagencyboards. Finally, thebill addressedMedicaidadministrationand thecollectionof clienttransportationdata.

child SuPPort enforcement, office of the attorney general

Enhance the State’s ability to establish and collect child support.

The75thLegislaturerequiredtheSunsetCommissiontoevaluatetheperformanceoftheAttorneyGeneral’s Child Support Enforcement Division and to recommend improvements. The resultinglegislationstreamlinedestablishmentofpaternityandremovedthetime-consumingprocessofcourtratificationofChildSupportCourtMastersorders.ThebillalsoimprovedtheDivision’scomplainttrackingandresolutionprocess, requiredtimelysharingofchildsupport informationbetweenstateagencies,anddirectedtheSunsetCommissiontomonitor,evaluate,andreporttothe77thLegislatureontheDivision’sprogressinrevampingthechildsupportprogram.

texaS dePartment of aging / texaS dePartment of human ServiceS

Merge long-term care programs into a new Department of Aging and Disability Services at the Department of Human Services.

Thefinalbillphasedintheconsolidationoflong-termcareservicesprogramsattheDepartmentofHumanServices,TexasDepartmentonAging,TexasDepartmentofHealth,andTexasRehabilitationCommissiontoreducethenumberofagenciespeoplemustcontacttoreceivethearrayoflong-termcareservices.Thebilldidnotchangeeligibilityrequirementsforservices,anditensuredtheuniqueneedsoftheelderlywouldbemetthroughthecreationofanAgingPolicyCouncil.

texaS dePartment of criminal JuStice

Improve TDCJ’s ability to function as a unified criminal justice agency.

The bill reflected Sunset recommendations allowing the Department to reorganize its divisionalstructure and improving its coordination with parole and probation authorities. The bill largely


included the Sunset recommendation to revise funding sources for probation departments toimprovetheirabilitytousethesefundsforthebenefitoftheState. Thebillalso incorporatedandexpandedonSunsetrecommendationstoimproveoversight,operational,andjobtrainingaspectsofprisonindustriesprograms.Finally,theLegislatureaddedaprovisionforcivillycommittingpersonsidentifiedassexuallyviolentpredatorsaftertheyhavecompletedtheirsentenceorhavebeenreleasedfromafacilityoftheTexasDepartmentofMentalHealthandMentalRetardation.

texaS dePartment of Public Safety

Strengthen internal oversight and accountability.

TheLegislatureagreedwithSunsetCommission recommendations toprovideadditional resources,authority,andencouragementtoassistDPSinbettermanagingitsaffairs.Specifically,thebillcreatedanOfficeofAuditandReviewcomposedoftheinternalauditandinspectionandplanningfunctionstoreducetheneedforexceptionallegislativereview.Inaddition,changestotheState’svehicleemissiontestingandvehiclesafetyinspectionprogramswereintendedtoallowtheDepartmenttobetterensurevehiclesareoperated incompliancewithemissionandsafety standards. Thebillalsomadeseveralchangestodriver’slicenses,includingauthorizingtheelectronicrenewaloflicensesandenhancingtheprotectionandprivacyofvictimsofdomesticabuse.

adviSory commiSSion on State emergency communicationS

Restructure the Commission to better support its functions and provide public representation.

TheSunsetreviewfocusedontheCommission’sabilitytoprovideaccountability,increaseefficiencyofthe911system,andmaximizeresources.TheresultingSunsetbillreducedtheCommission’ssizeandchangeditscomposition,restructuredthefundingoftheState’s911programtoimproveaccountabilityandstrategicplanning,andimprovedthecollectionofemergencycommunicationfees.Inaddition,theLegislatureaddedaprovisiontoprovidePoisonControlCenterswithautomaticnameandlocationinformationofcallers.

Agencies Continued in 1999Blind,TexasCommissionfortheCancerCouncil,TexasChildSupportEnforcement,OfficeoftheAttorneyGeneralChildhoodIntervention,InteragencyCouncilonEarlyChildren’sTrustFundofTexasCouncilCorrectionalManagedHealthCareAdvisoryCommitteeCriminalJustice,TexasBoardandDepartmentofDeafandHardofHearing,TexasCommissionfortheDevelopmentalDisabilities,OfficeforthePreventionofDevelopmentalDisabilities,TexasPlanningCouncilforEmergencyCommunications,AdvisoryCommissiononStateHealth,TexasBoardandDepartmentofHealthandHumanServicesCommission,TexasHumanRights,Commissionon


HumanServices,TexasDepartmentofIncentiveandProductivityCommission,TexasMentalHealthandMentalRetardation,TexasDepartmentofPeoplewithDisabilities,Governor’sCommitteeonPrivateInvestigatorsandPrivateSecurityAgencies,TexasBoardofPublicSafety,TexasDepartmentofRehabilitationCommission,TexasRuralHealthInitiatives,Centerfor

Agency Abolished in 1999HospitalEquipmentFinancingCouncil,Texas

Agency Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1999Aging,TexasDepartmenton

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 1999PardonsandParoles,Boardof

75th Legislature — 1997The75thLegislaturereviewed21agencies, includingonenotsubject toabolishment. Finalactioncontinued18agencieswhileabolishingandtransferringthefunctionsoftwo.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationin1997follow.

texaS dePartment of tranSPortation / texaS turnPike authority

Improve ability to meet a greater portion of state transportation needs.

The Sunset bill provided the Department with a number of additional financing methods fortransportation projects and improved the way it conducts its business. Most significantly, the billabolished the Texas Turnpike Authority and transferred state toll functions to the Department.Additionally,thebillestablishedaStateInfrastructureBanktotakefulladvantageoffederalhighwayfundingflexibility,improvedthemonitoringofhighwaycontracts,andencouragedgreaterprivatizationofengineeringservices.

texaS dePartment of Protective and regulatory ServiceS

Strengthen the Department’s ability to protect children from abuse and neglect.

The Sunset bill promoted the protection of children in three ways. First, the bill separated abuseinvestigationsfromservicedeliverywhileprovidingamoreflexibleresponsesystemtoreportsofabuse.Second, by improving coordination and removing obstacles, the bill intended to speed placementof abused children through conservatorship or adoption. Finally, improvements in PRS’ contractadministrationwereenactedtoensuregreateraccountabilityandqualityofcareprovidedbyprivateservicesproviders.


texaS racing commiSSion

Restructure the Commission to improve policymaking and promote growth of the racing industry.

TheSunsetbillrestructuredtheCommissiontoincreaseexpertiseandimprovepolicymaking.Thebillalsoincreasedoversightoftrackfacilitiesandencouragedeconomicgrowthwithintheracingindustrythroughcross-speciessimulcasting.

texaS credit union commiSSion

Increase public input in the regulation of the credit union industry.

The Sunset bill required that a majority of the Commission be public members, expanded noticerequirements forcreditunionchartersandmergers,andallowed interestedpersonstocommentonproposedexpansions.

texaS commiSSion on alcohol and drug abuSe

Improve accountability for substance abuse services.

TheSunsetbillprovidedstatutorydirectioninkeypolicyareas,includingstatewideplanningforservicedeliveryandcontractadministration,toensuretheaccountabilityofsubstanceabuseserviceprovidersthatreceivestatefunding.

Agencies Continued in 1997AcupunctureExaminers,TexasStateBoardofAdjutantGeneral’sDepartmentAlcoholandDrugAbuse,TexasCommissiononAutomobileTheftPreventionAuthorityCreditUnionCommission,TexasCriminalJusticePolicyCouncilFireProtection,TexasCommissiononInformationResources,DepartmentofJailStandards,CommissiononJuvenileProbationCommission,TexasLawEnforcementOfficerStandardsandEducation,CommissiononNationalGuardArmoryBoardPreservationBoard,StateProtectiveandRegulatoryServices,TexasDepartmentofPublicFinanceAuthority,TexasRacingCommission,TexasTransportation,TexasDepartmentofYouthCommission,Texas


Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1997SexOffenderTreatment,CouncilonTurnpikeAuthority,Texas

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 1997PardonsandParoles,Boardof

74th Legislature — 1995The 74th Legislature reviewed 18 agencies, two of which were not subject to abolishment. TheLegislaturecontinued14,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsoftwoagencies.Twoagencies—theStatePreservationBoardandtheRacingCommission—werecontinuedwithoutchangesbutwerescheduledforreviewagainin1997.Inaddition,oneagencythathadbeenabolishedin1993,theStateBoardofDentalExaminers,wasre-created.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationin1995follow.

teacher retirement SyStem of texaS

Raise retirement benefits for the oldest career educators and provide cost of living increases for all retirees.

TheSunsetreviewoftheTeacherRetirementSystemfoundthatthepensionbenefitsofmanyTRSretirees to be low and even slightly below the poverty line for the oldest retirees. Based on thesefindings, theLegislatureadopteda recommendationof theSunsetCommission to raise retirementbenefitsforTRSretireesby$1.8billion,focusingthelargestbenefitincreasesontheoldestretireeswhoretiredbefore1960.Underthebill,allmemberswhoretiredbeforeSeptember1,1993hadtheirbenefitsincreasedbyanadditional$1,800peryear,buttheoldestmemberssawtheirbenefitsincreasedbyanadditional$5,500peryear.

texaS workerS’ comPenSation commiSSion

Reduce state losses from worker injuries through stronger risk management programs.

Stateagencieshavenothadincentivetodevelopriskmanagementprogramsforstateemployees.TheSunsetCommissiondevelopedaseriesofrecommendationsadoptedbytheLegislaturetohelpprovidesafeworkplacesforstateemployees,timelybenefits,andreturn-to-workprogramsfor injuredstateworkers.TheimplementationoftheseriskmanagementprovisionssavedtheStateapproximately$8.9millionforthe1996-97bienniumbyreducingworkers’compensationlosses.

texaS workerS’ comPenSation reSearch center

Merge functions of the Research Center and the Legislative Oversight Committee on Workers’ Compensation.

TheLegislaturemusthaveobjectiveinformationandamechanismforusingthis informationforitto properly monitor and evaluate the workers’ compensation system. Through the Sunset process,theLegislatureaddressedbothneedsbymergingtheresearch,database,andmonitoringfunctionsoftheWorkers’CompensationResearchCenterwiththeLegislativeOversightCommitteeonWorkers’Compensation. Thenewagency, theResearchandOversightCouncilonWorkers’Compensation,


improves the usefulness of information to decision makers on the performance of the workers’compensation systemandestablishesearly-warningmechanisms toanticipateand timelydealwithfutureproblems.

texaS dePartment of agriculture

Restructure and refocus the Agriculture Resources Protection Authority (ARPA) for pesticide regulation.

Therefinementofpesticideregulation,beguninearlierSunsetreviews,continuedbyrevampingARPA,thecoordinatingbodyforpesticideregulationcreatedin1989.BasedonSunsetrecommendations,theLegislatureexpandedARPA’smembershiptostrengthenthe linkwiththeGovernorandotherpesticide-related agencies. The Legislature also shifted ARPA’s oversight authority from hearingappealsofagencyordersandapprovingagencyrulestoreviewingpesticideenforcementactivityreportsandreviewingandcommentingonstrategicplansandappropriationsrequests.

Agencies Continued in 1995Agriculture,TexasDepartmentofAnimalHealthCommission,TexasArts,TexasCommissionontheEquineResearchAccountAdvisoryCommitteeFoodandFibersCommission,TexasHistoricalCommission,TexasLibraryandArchivesCommission,TexasStatePreservationBoard,StatePublicUtilityCommissionofTexasPublicUtilityCounsel,OfficeofRacingCommission,TexasState-FederalRelations,OfficeofWorkers’CompensationCommission,TexasWorkers’CompensationInsuranceFund,Texas

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1995AntiquitiesCommitteeWorkers’CompensationResearchCenter,Texas

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 1995TeacherRetirementSystemofTexas

Agency Removed From Sunset Review in 1995Guadalupe-BlancoRiverAuthority


73rd Legislature — 1993The73rdLegislature reviewed31agencies, threeofwhichwerenot subject toabolishment. Finalaction continued 22 agencies, abolished one, and abolished and transferred the functions of five.Threeagencies—PublicUtilityCommissionofTexas,OfficeofPublicUtilityCounsel,andTeacherRetirementSystem—werecontinuedwithoutchangesbutwerescheduledforreviewagainin1995.MajorchangesmadethroughSunsetlegislationfollow.

texaS alcoholic beverage commiSSion

Focus agency efforts on enforcing state alcoholic beverage laws.

Theagencyhadseveralmajorresponsibilitiesthatrelatedindirectlytotheapprehensionofliquorlawviolators. Holding hearings on liquor law violations and collecting and auditing liquor taxes wereimportantfunctionsbuttheydirectedattentionandfundingawayfromdirectlawenforcementactivities.TheSunsetbilltransferredthesefunctionstotheStateOfficeofAdministrativeHearingsandtotheComptrollerofPublicAccounts,leavingTABCresponsibleforinvestigatingandapprehendingliquorlawviolators.

texaS dePartment of inSurance

Reorganize the decision-making process.

TheSunsetbillstreamlinedthedecisionmakingprocessoftheDepartmentbygivingtheGovernormoredirectpolicycontroltosolveongoingproblems.Thefull-timethree-memberinsuranceboardwaseliminatedandtheGovernorwasgiventhepowertoappointaCommissionerofInsurancewithsoleresponsibilityforallinsuranceregulation,includingthesettingofallinsurancerates.

emPloyeeS retirement SyStem and teacher retirement SyStem

Make it easy for employees to add together service credits from both systems.

TheSunsetbillchangedtheoldsystem,whichpenalizedpeoplewhohadworkedinbothretirementsystems.Oftenthesepeopleendedupgettinglowerbenefits.Thechangeallowsapersontobetreatedasifhehadbeeninonesystemthroughouthiscareer.

texaS dePartment of Public Safety

Strengthen laws to prevent underage drinking.

TheSunsetbillhadprovisionstohelpinthefighttostopyoungdriversfromdrivingwhileintoxicated,includingalowerbloodalcohollimitforpersonsunder21.


Agencies Continued in 1993AlcoholicBeverageCommission,TexasChiropracticExaminers,TexasBoardofCommerce,TexasDepartmentofCounselors,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofProfessionalDietitians,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofGeneralServicesCommissionInsurance,TexasDepartmentofInsuranceCounsel,OfficeofPublicMarriageandFamilyTherapists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardofMidwiferyBoardNurseExaminers,BoardofOptometryBoard,TexasPharmacy,TexasStateBoardofPodiatryExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPsychologists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofPublicUtilityCommissionofTexasPublicUtilityCounsel,OfficeofPublicSafety,TexasDepartmentofSpeech-LanguagePathologyandAudiology,StateCommitteeofExaminersforVeterinaryMedicalExaminers,TexasVocationalNurseExaminers,Boardof

Agency Abolished in 1993DentalExaminers,TexasStateBoardof

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1993HearingAids,TexasBoardofExaminersintheFittingandDispensingofNursingHomeAdministrators,TexasBoardofLicensureforOccupationalTherapyExaminers,TexasAdvisoryBoardofPhysicalTherapyExaminers,TexasBoardofSocialWorkCertification,Councilfor

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 1993TeacherRetirementSystemofTexasTexasTurnpikeAuthority

Agency Removed From Review in 1993EmployeesRetirementSystemofTexas


72nd Legislature — 1991The72ndLegislaturereviewed30agencies, includingtwonotsubjecttoabolishment. Finalactioncontinued20,abolishedthree,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsoffive.Majorchangesmadein1991throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

general ServiceS commiSSion

Prioritize elimination of architectural barriers for persons with disabilities.

AstateprogramwasinplaceatthetimeoftheSunsetreviewtoremovebarriersthatinterferedwithaccessbythedisabledtogovernmentbuildingsandotherpublicbuildings.SunsetstrengthenedthisprogrambytransferringitfromGSCtotheTexasDepartmentofLicensingandRegulation,whichhasaregionalofficestructureandexpertiseininspectionandenforcement.Thelawwasalsostrengthenedby removing some exemptions from the program, allowingTDLR to assess fees, and making theprogramconsistentwiththefederalAmericanswithDisabilitiesAct.

texaS motor vehicle commiSSion

Protect auto buyers and strengthen the State’s lemon law.

Consumerswhopurchasecarsthatare“lemons”shouldbeprotected.BeforeSunset,thelawplacedunnecessaryroadblocksinthewayofconsumerswhowantedtoreturnadefectivecar.ThelawwaschangedthroughSunsettomakeiteasierforconsumerstoreturnadefectivecar.Amongotherchanges,thenewlawshortenedthetimeframeforresolvingcomplaintsandincreasedthetimeconsumerscouldbeprotectedafterpurchasingalemon.

State dePartment of highwayS and Public tranSPortation

Promote minority hiring.

AtthetimeoftheSunsetreview,theDepartmenthadacomparativelylownumberofminorityandwomen employees in professional and upper management positions. The Sunset bill required theDepartmentto increase itseffortstorecruitandhirequalifiedwomenandminorityapplicants inavarietyofways.

texaS Structural PeSt control board

Strengthen public protection through better pesticide regulation.

Theprocessbeguntostrengthenpesticideregulationinthe71stLegislaturecontinuedintheSunsetreviewoftheStructuralPestControlBoard.TheSunsetprocessbenefittedconsumersinavarietyofways.Forexample,theLegislaturerequiredschools,day-carecenters,hospitals,andnursinghomestobeginusinglicensedpesticideapplicatorstoincreasethepublic’sprotectionfrommisapplicationofpesticides.


texaS funeral Service commiSSion

Create a majority of public members on the agency’s board.

Whenthisagencywasfirstreviewedin1979,itwasdominatedbylicenseesandtheirassociations.One-thirdpublicmembershipontheboardwasamajorstepforward.Thesecondreviewin1991foundthattheagencydealtmainlywithconsumercomplaintsanddidnotneedamajorityofprofessionallicenseemembersontheboard.Asaresult,thecompositionoftheFuneralServiceCommissionwaschangedtofivepublicmembersrepresentingconsumerinterestsandfourlicenseemembers.

Agencies Continued in 1991Accountancy,TexasStateBoardofPublicAircraftPoolingBoard,StateArchitecturalExaminers,TexasBoardofBarofTexas,StateBarberExaminers,StateBoardofCosmetologyCommission,TexasFireFighters’PensionCommissioner,OfficeofFuneralServiceCommission,TexasHighwaysandPublicTransportation,StateDepartmentofIrrigators,TexasBoardofJailStandards,CommissiononLandSurveying,TexasBoardofProfessionalLawExaminers,BoardofMotorVehicleCommission,TexasPensionReviewBoard,StatePurchasingandGeneralServicesCommission,StateRealEstateCommission,TexasResearchLaboratoryCommission,TexasNationalStructuralPestControlBoard,TexasTurnpikeAuthority,Texas

Agencies Abolished in 1991CivilDefenseandDisasterCompactAdministratorforTexas,OfficeoftheConservationFoundation,TexasGoodNeighborCommission

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1991Disabilities,CouncilonFireProtectionPersonnelStandardsandEducation,CommissiononHealthandHumanServicesCoordinatingCouncil,TexasHousingAgency,TexasLong-TermCareCoordinatingCouncilfortheElderly


Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 1991CapitalMetropolitanTransportationAuthorityDallasAreaRapidTransitAuthority

71st Legislature — 1989The71stLegislaturereviewed30agencies,includingthreenotsubjecttoabolishment.Finalactioncontinued22,abolishedthree,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsoftwo.Majorchangesmadein1989throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

texaS dePartment of agriculture

Build on current levels of pesticide regulation.

StatepolicyatthetimeoftheSunsetreviewallowedsevenagenciestosetrulesgoverningpesticides.Businesses and consumers were not served well by shifting, changing regulations. The Sunset billcreatedacoordinatingbodyforpesticideregulation,chairedbytheCommissionerofAgriculture,toprovidestabilityinapoliticallychargedarea.

texaS education agency

Modernize regulation of proprietary schools.

Private technicalschools trainover70,000studentsayear for technicaloccupations. StatepoliciescoveringtheseschoolswereindrasticneedofrevisionatthetimeoftheSunsetreview.Someschoolschargedstudentshighpricesandprovided littleeducationinreturn. TheTexasEducationAgency,whichregulatedtheseschools,hadneithertheauthoritynoraclearmandatetocorrecttheseabuses.TheSunsetbillgavetheagencyaclearmissionandauthoritytoensurethatstudentsgettheeducationforwhichtheypaid.

State textbook committee

Control costs of public school textbooks.

WhentheCommitteewasreviewed,thestatespent$40millionperbienniumtopurchasetextbooks.OvertimetheStatehadgraduallybecomeconvincedthatlittlecouldbedonetocontrolthesecosts.TheSunsetreviewfoundotherwise,andcostcontrolmeasuresenactedthroughSunsetarenowinuse.

commiSSion on human rightS

Make the State’s EEO policy stronger.

The Sunset Commission is statutorily required to analyze agency compliance with state EEOpolicy.DuringSunsetreviews,itquicklybecameapparentthattheStatehaddevelopednocoherentpolicy, relying insteadon fragmentsofpolicydeveloped tomeetparticulardemands. CommissionrecommendationsdealtwiththissituationbyfashioningageneralpolicythattheStatecanmodifyandrefineasneeded.


Agencies Continued in 1989Agriculture,TexasDepartmentofAirConditioningandRefrigerationContractorsAdvisoryBoardAnimalHealthCommission,TexasEducationAgency,TexasEducationCommissionerforTexas,OfficeofCompactforEducationCompactCommissionerforTexas,OfficeoftheSouthernRegionalGeneticServices,InteragencyCouncilforGuaranteedStudentLoanCorporation,TexasHigherEducationCoordinatingBoard,TexasHumanRights,CommissiononIndustrializedBuildingCodeCouncil,TexasLaborandStandards,OfficeofCommissioner(DepartmentofLicensingandRegulation)NaturalFiberandFoodProteinCommissionOn-SiteWastewaterTreatmentResearchCouncilPropertyTaxBoard,StateRevenueEstimates,CommitteeonStateSeedandPlantBoard,StateSurplusPropertyAgency,TexasTaxCompactCommissionerforTexas,OfficeofMultistateTeacher’sProfessionalPracticesCommissionTeachingProfession,CommissiononStandardsfortheTextbookCommittee,State

Agencies Abolished in 1989IndianCommission,TexasPoultryImprovementBoardWesternInformationNetworkAssociation

Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1989Canvassers,StateBoardofPhysicalFitness,Governor’sCommissionon

Agencies Not Subject to Abolishment in 1989Education,StateBoardofCorpusChristiRegionalTransitAuthorityHarrisCountyMetropolitanRapidTransitAuthority


70th Legislature — 1987The70thLegislaturereviewed20agencies, includingonenotsubject toabolishment. Finalactioncontinued17,abolishedone,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofanother.Majorchangesmadein1987throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

texaS dePartment of human ServiceS

Strengthen child abuse laws.

The Sunset review found that state policies did not clearly set out what constituted child abuse.Absenceof a cleardefinitionmade itdifficult toenforce the lawandprotect childrenwhoneededit.TheSunsetprocessstrengthenedenforcementofchildabuselawsbyclarifyinganddefiningchildabuse.

texaS dePartment of mental health and mental retardation

Require proper placement and treatment for persons with mental illness.

LegislativestudiesundertakenbeforetheSunsetreviewofTDMHMRshowedthatthementallyillwereoftenplacedinstatehospitalsratherthanbeingtreatedmoreappropriatelyinthecommunity.Theproblemstemmedinpartfromcourtscommittingthementallyilltoafacilityoftheirchoosing,whetherastatehospitaloracommunityfacility.Thenewlaw,startingasapilotproject,requiredallcommitmentstobemadetolocalmentalhealthauthorities,whowouldusetheirprofessionalexpertisetochoosethemostappropriatelocationfortreatingthepatient.

Agencies Continued in 1987AdultProbationCommission,TexasAgedandDisabled,AdvisoryCommitteeforServicestoChildCareAdministrators,AdvisoryCouncilonChildCareFacilities,AdvisoryCommitteeonChildren,OfficeoftheAdministratoroftheInterstateCompactonthePlacementofConservationFoundation,TexasCorrections,TexasDepartmentofDeaf,TexasCommissionfortheDiabetesCouncil,TexasHumanServices,TexasDepartmentofJuvenileProbationCommission,TexasJuvenileServices,AdvisoryCouncilonMentalHealthAdministratorforTexas,OfficeoftheInterstateCompactonMentalHealthandMentalRetardation,TexasDepartmentofParoleCompactAdministratorforTexas,OfficeofInterstatePrivateInvestigatorsandPrivateSecurityAgencies,TexasBoardofYouthCommission,Texas


Agency Abolished in 1987HealthandHumanServicesCoordinatingCouncil,MedicalCareAdvisoryCommitteeofthe

Agency Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1987TechnologyTrainingBoard

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 1987PardonsandParoles,TexasBoardof

69th Legislature — 1985The69thLegislaturereviewed31agencies, includingonenotsubject toabolishment. Finalactioncontinued23,abolishedsix,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofanother.Majorchangesmadein1985throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

texaS air control board

Improve regulation of air quality by periodically “sunsetting” facility permits.

BeforeSunset,theTexasAirControlBoardreviewedeachfacilityonceandthenissuedapermitforthelifeofthefacility.TheSunsetprocesschangedthisapproachbyrequiringaformalreviewofoperatingpermitsevery15years.TheperiodicreviewforcedtheAirControlBoardtoreviewthestatusquoandrequiredpermittedfacilitiestomakechangestoimproveairquality.

texaS water commiSSion

Stop water polluters through mandatory compliance.

Polluters often stayed out of compliance with their water permits for long periods of time. Nomechanismexistedtoforceactionagainstviolators.Sunsetchangedthis.Chronicviolators,whetheracityoranindividual,nowhavetocomebeforetheTexasWaterCommissionforamandatoryhearingtoexplainwhytheyarenotabletocomply.

texaS dePartment of health

Protect the public through expanded medical facility regulation.

DuringtheSunsetreview,newtypesofmedicalfacilitieswerebeingcreated.Thenewfacilitieswerenotregulated,whileexistingfacilitieswithsimilarserviceshadtomeetlicensingrequirements.TheSunsetbill gave those supporting regulationof thenew facilities a chance to change the law. TheLegislatureendedupgivingtheTexasDepartmentofHealthnewauthoritytoprotectthepublicbysettingstandardsforambulatorysurgicalcenters,abortionclinics,andbirthingcenters.

Agencies Continued in 1985Aging,TexasDepartmentonAirControlBoard,TexasAlcoholism,TexasCommissionon


AnatomicalBoardoftheStateofTexasBlind,StateCommissionfortheCanadianRiverCompactCommissionerforTexasConservationFoundation,TexasDeaf,TexasCommissionfortheEntomologist,OfficeofStateGulfStatesMarineFisheriesCommissionHealth,TexasDepartmentofLand,BoardsforLeaseofState-OwnedLands,BoardforLeaseofUniversityMentalHealthAdministratorforTexasOccupationalTherapy,TexasAdvisoryBoardofParksandWildlifeDepartment,TexasPecosRiverCompactCommissionerforTexasRedRiverCompactCommissionerforTexasRehabilitationCommission,TexasRioGrandeRiverCompactCommissionerforTexasSabineRiverCompactCommissionerforTexasSchoolLandBoardSoilandWaterConservationBoard,State

Agencies Abolished in 1985Coastal&MarineCouncil,TexasForester,OfficeofStateHealthandWelfareServices,TexasCoordinatingCommissionforHealthFacilitiesCommission,TexasOfficeofInterstateCompactonOccupationalSafetyBoardProsecutorCouncil

Agency Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1985WaterResources,TexasDepartmentof

Agency Not Subject to Abolishment in 1985Veterans’LandBoard


68th Legislature — 1983The68thLegislaturereviewed32agencies. Finalactioncontinued29andabolishedthree. Majorchangesmadein1983throughSunsetlegislationfollow.

Public utility commiSSion of texaS

Strengthen representation for small-consumers in utility ratesetting.

DuringPUC’sfirstSunsetreview,theLegislaturefoundthat,whileutilitiesandlargebusinesseshadastrongvoiceinPUCratesettinghearings,residential-andsmall-commercialratepayerswerevirtuallyunrepresented.Asaremedy,theLegislaturecreatedtheOfficeofPublicUtilityCounseltoadvocateforthesesmallerratepayersinPUCproceedings.

railroad commiSSion of texaS

Ease restrictions on trucking.

In1983,atruckerwhowantedtooperatewithinthestatehadtomeetaheavyburdenofproofbyshowingapublicneedfortheproposedservice.Thisapproachwasoverlyrestrictive.LoweringtheburdenthroughSunsetstartedthediscussionoftruckingderegulation.

Agencies Continued in 1983AntiquitiesCommitteeArts,TexasCommissionontheBankingBoard,StateBankingCommission,StateBlindandSeverelyDisabledPersons,TexasCommitteeonPurchasesofProductsandServicesofCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentofConsumerCreditCommissioner,OfficeofCreditUnionCommissionDepositoryBoard,StateEmploymentCommission,TexasFinanceCommissionHistoricalCommission,TexasIndustrialAccidentBoardIndustrialCommission,TexasInsurance,StateBoardofIntergovernmentalRelations,AdvisoryCouncilonLawEnforcementOfficerStandardsandEducation,TexasCommissiononLibraryandArchivesCommission,TexasStateMiningCompactCommissionerforTexas,OfficeofInterstateNuclearCompactBoardMemberforTexas,OfficeofSouthernInterstateOilCompactCommissioner,OfficeofInterstate


PublicUtilityCommissionofTexasRailroadCommissionofTexasSavingsandLoanCommissioner,OfficeofSocialWorkCertification,CouncilforState-FederalRelations,OfficeofStateSecuritiesBoardTechnical-VocationalEducation,AdvisoryCouncilforUniformStateLaws,TexasCommissionon

Agencies Abolished in 1983EnergyandNaturalResourcesAdvisoryCouncil,TexasHistoricalResources,TexasDevelopmentCouncilInterstateCooperation,TexasCommissionon

66th and 67th Legislatures — 1979 and 1981The 66th and 67th Legislatures reviewed 54 agencies, primarily focusing on professional licensingagencies.TheLegislaturecontinued36agencies,abolished10agencies,andabolishedandtransferredthefunctionsofeight.

MajorchangesdevelopedbythefirsttwoCommissionswereappliedtoprofessionallicensingagencies.TheSunsetCommissiondevelopedstatutorylanguagetocorrectanumberofproblemscommontoprofessionallicensingagencies,andlaterexpandedthescopeofthelanguagetoapplytoanyagencyunderSunsetreview.Thesestandardprovisionsareoutlinedbelow.

l Governor designation of agencies’ presiding officers. Increases agencies’ accountability to theexecutivebranchbyempoweringtheGovernortodesignatethepresidingofficerofanagency’soversightboardorcommission.

l Publicmembersonboards.Providesthepublicwithadirectvoiceinagencies’activities.

l Prohibitconflictsofinterest.Breaksclosetiesbetweenagenciesandassociationsandothergroups.Prioritizesfairnessandimpartialityinagencies’regulatoryactivitiesanddecisions.

l DevelopmentofEEOpolicy. Placesahighlyvisibleemphasisonfairandimpartialhiringandpromotionofstateemployees.

l Provision forpublic testimony. Increases theopportunity forpublic input andparticipation inagencyactivities.

Agencies Continued in 1979 and 1981Accountancy,StateBoardofPublicAdjutantGeneral’sDepartmentAeronauticsCommissionAmusementMachineCommissionArchitecturalExaminers,BoardofArmoryBoard,NationalGuardBarofTexas,State


BarberExaminers,BoardofChiropracticExaminers,BoardofCosmetologyCommission,TexasDentalExaminers,BoardofEngineers,BoardofRegistrationforProfessionalGoodNeighborCommissionHearingAids,BoardofExaminersintheFittingandDispensingofLawExaminers,BoardofMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardofMorticians,StateBoardofMotorVehicleCommission,TexasNurseExaminers,BoardofNursingHomeAdministratorsOptometryBoard,TexasPharmacy,TexasStateBoardofPhysicalTherapyExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPlumbingExaminers,BoardofPodiatricExaminers,TexasStateBoardofPolygraphExaminersBoardPrivateInvestigatorsandPrivateSecurityAgencies,BoardofPsychologists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofRealEstateCommissionRealEstateResearchCenterStructuralPestControlBoardTurnpikeAuthority,TexasVeteransAffairsCommissionVeterinaryMedicalExaminers,TexasBoardofVocationalNurseExaminers,BoardofWaterWellDrillersBoard

Agencies Abolished in 1979 and 1981BattleshipTexasCommissionCivilAirPatrolCountyandDistrictRoadIndebtedness,BoardofNavy,Inc.,TexasPesticideAdvisoryCommitteePinkBollwormCommissionSocialPsychotherapy,BoardofExaminersinStonewallJacksonMemorialBoardTuberculosisNurseExaminers,BoardofVehicleEquipmentSafetyCommission


Agencies Abolished with Functions Transferred in 1979 and 1981BurialAssociationRateBoardIrrigators,TexasBoardofLandscapeArchitects,BoardofLibraryExaminers,BoardofNimitzMemorialNavalMuseumCommissionPrivateEmploymentAgencyRegulatoryBoard,TexasSurveyors,BoardofExaminersofLicensedStateLandSurveyors,BoardofRegistrationforPublic

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Review Schedule by Year 47

Review Schedule by Year

2013 – 24 Reviews ArchitecturalExaminers,TexasBoardof Arts,TexasCommissiononthe CorrectionalManagedHealthCareCommittee CriminalJustice,TexasBoardandDepartmentof EducationAgency,Texas EmployeeCharitableCampaignPolicyCommittee,State Engineers,TexasBoardofProfessional EthicsCommission,Texas FacilitiesCommission,Texas FireFighters’PensionCommissioner,Officeof HigherEducationCoordinatingBoard,Texas HousingandCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentof InformationResources,Departmentof JudicialConduct,StateCommissionon LotteryCommission,Texas PardonsandParoles,Boardof PensionReviewBoard,State PortofHoustonAuthority PreservationBoard,State ProcurementandSupportServicesDivisionoftheComptrollerofPublicAccounts PublicUtilityCommissionofTexas RailroadCommissionofTexas Self-DirectedSemi-IndependentAgencyProjectAct WindhamSchoolDistrictwithintheTexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Review Schedule by Year January 201248

2015 – 25 Reviews Accountancy,TexasStateBoardofPublic AdministrativeHearings,StateOfficeof AgingandDisabilityServices,Departmentof AssistiveandRehabilitativeServices,Departmentof BankingCommissioner,Officeof ChildrenWithSpecialNeeds,InteragencyTaskForcefor ConsumerCreditCommissioner,Officeof DevelopmentalDisabilities,TexasCouncilfor FamilyandProtectiveServices,Departmentof FinanceCommissionofTexas GuardianshipCertificationBoard HealthandHumanServicesCommission HealthServices,DepartmentofState HealthServicesAuthority,Texas PeoplewithDisabilities,Governor’sCommitteeon PurchasingfromPeoplewithDisabilities,TexasCouncilon RegionalEducationServiceCenters SavingsandMortgageLending,OfficeofCommissionerandDepartmentof SecuritiesBoard,State SoilandWaterConservationBoard,State TaxDivision,StateOfficeofAdministrativeHearings Transportation,TexasDepartmentof WindstormInsuranceAssociation,Texas WorkforceCommission,Texas WorkforceInvestmentCouncil,Texas


2017 – 32 Reviews BarofTexas,State CapitalMetropolitanTransportationAuthority ChiropracticExaminers,TexasBoardof Counselors,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofProfessional CourtInterpreterAdvisoryBoard,Licensed CourtReportersCertificationBoard DentalExaminers,StateBoardof Dietitians,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof HealthCareQualityandEfficiency,TexasInstituteof HearingInstruments,StateCommitteeofExaminersintheFittingandDispensingof InjuredEmployeeCounsel,Officeof JuvenileJusticeBoardandDepartment,Texas LawExaminers,Boardof MarriageandFamilyTherapists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof MedicalBoard,Texas MidwiferyBoard Nursing,TexasBoardof OccupationalTherapyExaminers,TexasBoardof OptometryBoard,Texas OrthoticsandProsthetics,TexasBoardof PerfusionistAdvisoryCommittee,TexasState Pharmacy,TexasStateBoardof PhysicalTherapyandOccupationalTherapyExaminers,ExecutiveCouncilof PhysicalTherapyExaminers,TexasBoardof PodiatricMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardof ProcessServerReviewBoard Psychologists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof RacingCommission,Texas SocialWorkerExaminers,TexasStateBoardof Speech-LanguagePathologyandAudiology,StateBoardofExaminersfor VeterinaryMedicalExaminers,StateBoardof Workers’Compensation,TexasDepartmentofInsuranceDivisionof


2019 – 20 Reviews AdjutantGeneral’sDepartment AlcoholicBeverageCommission,Texas ChildrenandFamilies,Councilon EarlyChildhoodHealthandNutritionInteragencyCouncil FuneralServiceCommission,Texas Geoscientists,TexasBoardofProfessional HistoricalCommission,Texas InteragencyLiteracyCouncil LandSurveying,TexasBoardofProfessional LibraryandArchivesCommission,TexasState LicensingandRegulation,TexasCommissionandDepartmentof MotorVehicles,TexasDepartmentof PlumbingExaminers,TexasStateBoardof PublicSafety,TexasDepartmentof RealEstateCommission,Texas RiskManagementBoardandStateOfficeofRiskManagement SchoolLandBoard TeacherRetirementSystemofTexas,BoardofTrusteesofthe VeteransCommission,Texas Veterans’LandBoard


2021 – 16 Reviews Agriculture,TexasDepartmentof AnimalHealthCommission,Texas BollWeevilEradicationFoundation,BoardofDirectorsoftheOfficialCottonGrowers’ CancerPreventionandResearchInstituteofTexas CreditUnionDepartmentandCommission EconomicDevelopmentandTourismOffice,Texas FireProtection,TexasCommissionon GuaranteedStudentLoanCorporation,Texas HigherEducationTuitionBoard,Prepaid HolocaustandGenocideCommission,Texas JailStandards,Commissionon LawEnforcementOfficerStandardsandEducation,TexasCommissionon ParksandWildlifeDepartment,Texas PerscribedBurningBoard QualificationsforHealthCareTranslatorsandInterpreters,AdvisoryCommitteeon State-FederalRelations,Officeof


2023 – 14 Reviews EmergencyCommunications,CommissiononState EnvironmentalQuality,TexasCommissionon ForestService,Texas HousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordable Insurance,TexasDepartmentof InsuranceCounsel,OfficeofPublic InvasiveSpeciesCoordinatingCommittee,Texas Low-LevelRadioactiveWasteDisposalCompactCommission,Texas PublicFinanceAuthority,Texas PublicHealthFundingandPolicyCommittee PublicUtilityCounsel,Officeof SoilandWaterConservationBoard,State ViolentSexOffendersManagement,Officeof WaterDevelopmentBoard,Texas

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Agencies Under the Texas Sunset Act 53

Agencies Under the Texas Sunset Act

AgencySunsetCitation

LastSunsetReview

NextSunsetReview

Accountancy,TexasStateBoardofPublic §901.006,OccupationsCode 2003 2015

AdjutantGeneral’sDepartment §431.023,GovernmentCode 1997 20191

AdministrativeHearings,StateOfficeof §2003.023,GovernmentCode 2003 2015

AgingandDisabilityServices,Departmentof §161.003,HumanResourcesCode — 2015

Agriculture,TexasDepartmentof §11.003,AgricultureCode 2009 2021

AlcoholicBeverageCommission,Texas §5.01(b),AlcoholicBeverageCode 2007 2019

AnimalHealthCommission,Texas §161.027,AgricultureCode 2007 2021

AppraiserLicensingandCertificationBoard,Texas §1103.006,OccupationsCode — 2

ArchitecturalExaminers,TexasBoardof §1051.003,OccupationsCode 2003 2013

Arts,TexasCommissiononthe §444.002,GovernmentCode 2007 2013

AssistiveandRehabilitativeServices,Departmentof §117.003,HumanResourcesCode — 2015

BankingCommissioner,Officeof §12.109,FinanceCode 2001 2015

BarofTexas,State §81.003,GovernmentCode 2003 2017

BollWeevilEradicationFoundation,BoardofDirectorsoftheOfficialCottonGrowers’

§74.127,AgricultureCode 2009 2021

CancerPreventionandResearchInstituteofTexas §102.003,HealthandSafetyCode — 20213

CapitalMetropolitanTransportationAuthority §451.459,TransportationCode 2011 2017

ChildrenandFamilies,Councilon §531.805,GovernmentCode — 2019

ChildrenWithSpecialNeeds,InteragencyTaskForcefor

§115.012,HealthandSafetyCode — 2015

ChiropracticExaminers,TexasBoardof §201.004,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

ConsumerCreditCommissioner,Officeof §14.066,FinanceCode 2001 2015

CorrectionalManagedHealthCareCommittee §501.132,GovernmentCode 2007 20134

Counselors,TexasStateBoardofExaminersofProfessional

§503.005,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

CourtInterpreterAdvisoryBoard,Licensed §57.051,GovernmentCode — 2017

CourtReportersCertificationBoard §52.014,GovernmentCode 2003 2017

CreditUnionDepartmentandCommission §15.212,FinanceCode 2009 2021

CriminalJustice,TexasBoardandDepartmentof §492.012,GovernmentCode 2007 2013

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Agencies Under the Texas Sunset Act January 201254


LastSunsetReview

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DentalExaminers,StateBoardof §251.005,OccupationsCode 2003 2017

DevelopmentalDisabilities,TexasCouncilfor §112.023,HumanResourcesCode 1999 2015

Dietitians,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof §701.003,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

EarlyChildhoodHealthandNutritionInteragencyCouncil


EconomicDevelopmentandTourismOffice,Texas §481.003,GovernmentCode 20035 2021

EducationAgency,Texas §7.004,EducationCode 2005 20136

ElectricReliabilityCouncilofTexas §39.151,UtilitiesCode 2011 7

EmergencyCommunications,CommissiononState §771.032,HealthandSafetyCode 2011 2023

EmployeeCharitableCampaignPolicyCommittee,State

§659.140(i),GovermentCode — 2013

Engineers,TexasBoardofProfessional §1001.005,OccupationsCode 2003 2013

EnvironmentalQuality,TexasCommissionon §5.014,WaterCode 2011 2023

EthicsCommission,Texas §571.022,GovernmentCode 2003 2013

FacilitiesCommission,Texas §2152.002,GovernmentCode 2009 2013

FamilyandProtectiveServices,Departmentof §40.003,HumanResourcesCode 19978 2015

FinanceCommissionofTexas §11.108,FinanceCode 2001 2015

FireFighters’PensionCommissioner,Officeof Art.6243e,§21(h),V.T.C.S. 2001 2013

FireProtection,TexasCommissionon §419.003,GovernmentCode 2009 2021

ForestService,Texas §88.1016,EducationCode 2011 2023

FuneralServiceCommission,Texas §651.002,OccupationsCode 2003 2019

Geoscientists,TexasBoardofProfessional §1002.003,OccupationsCode — 2019

GuaranteedStudentLoanCorporation,Texas §57.12,EducationCode 2005 2021

GuardianshipCertificationBoard §111.003,GovernmentCode — 2015

HealthCareQualityandEfficiency,TexasInstituteof

§1002.051HealthandSafetyCode — 2017

HealthandHumanServicesCommission §531.004,GovernmentCode 1999 2015

HealthServices,DepartmentofState §1001.003,HealthandSafetyCode — 2015

HealthServicesAuthority,Texas §182.052,HealthandSafetyCode — 2015

HearingInstruments,StateCommitteeofExaminersintheFittingandDispensingof


HigherEducationCoordinatingBoard,Texas §61.0211,EducationCode 2003 2013

HigherEducationTuitionBoard,Prepaid §54.603,EducationCode 2007 2021



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HistoricalCommission,Texas §442.002(k),GovernmentCode 2007 2019

HolocaustandGenocideCommission,Texas §449.002,GovernmentCode — 2021

HousingandCommunityAffairs,TexasDepartmentof

§2306.022,GovernmentCode 2011 2013

HousingCorporation,TexasStateAffordable §2306.5521,GovernmentCode 2011 2023

InformationResources,Departmentof §2054.005,GovernmentCode 2011 2013

InjuredEmployeeCounsel,Officeof §404.003,LaborCode 2011 2017

Insurance,TexasDepartmentof §31.004,InsuranceCode 2011 2023

InsuranceCounsel,OfficeofPublic §501.003,InsuranceCode 2011 2023

InteragencyLiteracyCouncil §312.002,LaborCode — 2019

InvasiveSpeciesCoordinatingCommittee,Texas §776.007,GovernmentCode — 20239

JailStandards,Commissionon §511.003,GovernmentCode 2009 2021

JudicialConduct,StateCommissionon §33.003,GovernmentCode 2001 2013

JuvenileJusticeBoardandDepartment,Texas §202.010,HumanResourcesCode 201110 2017

LandSurveying,TexasBoardofProfessional §1071.003,OccupationsCode 2003 2019

LawEnforcementOfficerStandardsandEducation,TexasCommissionon


LawExaminers,Boardof §82.006,GovernmentCode 2003 2017

LibraryandArchivesCommission,TexasState §441.001(q),GovernmentCode 2007 2019

LicensingandRegulation,TexasCommissionandDepartmentof


LotteryCommission,Texas §467.002,GovernmentCode 2005 2013

Low-LevelRadioactiveWasteDisposalCompactCommission,Texas


MarriageandFamilyTherapists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof


MedicalBoard,Texas §151.004,OccupationsCode 200912 2017

MidwiferyBoard §203.006,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

MotorVehicles,TexasDepartmentof §1001.005,TransportationCode — 2019

Nursing,TexasBoardof §301.003,OccupationsCode 200713 2017

OccupationalTherapyExaminers,TexasBoardof §454.003,OccupationsCode 1993 2017

OptometryBoard,Texas §351.004,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

OrthoticsandProsthetics,TexasBoardof §605.003,OccupationsCode — 2017



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PardonsandParoles,Boardof §508.051,GovernmentCode 2007 201314

ParksandWildlifeDepartment,Texas §11.0111,ParksandWildlifeCode 2009 2021

PensionReviewBoard,State §801.107,GovernmentCode 2001 2013

PeoplewithDisabilities,Governor’sCommitteeon

§115.005,HumanResourcesCode 1999 2015

PerfusionistAdvisoryCommittee,TexasState §603.005,OccupationsCode 200515 2017

Pharmacy,TexasStateBoardof §551.005,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

PhysicalTherapyandOccupationalTherapyExaminers,ExecutiveCouncilof

§452.002,OccupationsCode — 2017

PhysicalTherapyExaminers,TexasBoardof §453.002,OccupationsCode 1993 2017

PlumbingExaminers,TexasStateBoardof §1301.003,OccupationsCode 2003 2019

PodiatricMedicalExaminers,TexasStateBoardof §202.002,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

PortofHoustonAuthority Section1.10,Chapter1232(S.B.652),Actsofthe82ndTexasLegislature,RegularSession,2011

__ 2013

PrescribedBurningBoard §153.044NaturalResourcesCode 2009 202116

PreservationBoard,State §443.002,GovernmentCode 1997 2013

ProcurementandSupportServicesDivisionoftheComptrollerofPublicAccounts

§2151.0041,GovernmentCode 200117 201318

ProcessServerReviewBoard §79.091,GovernmentCode — 2017

Psychologists,TexasStateBoardofExaminersof §501.005,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

PublicFinanceAuthority,Texas §1232.072,GovernmentCode 2011 2023

PublicHealthFundingandPolicyCommittee §117.002HealthandSafetyCode — 2023

PublicSafety,TexasDepartmentof §411.002,GovernmentCode 2009 2019

PublicUtilityCommissionofTexas §12.005,UtilitiesCode 2011 2013

PublicUtilityCounsel,Officeof §13.002,UtilitiesCode 2011 2023

PurchasingfromPeoplewithDisabilities,TexasCouncilon

§122.006,HumanResourcesCode 2003 2015

QualificationsforHealthCareTranslatorsandInterpreters,AdvisoryCommitteeon

§531.703,GovernmentCode — 2021

RacingCommission,Texas Art.179e,§18.01(a),V.T.C.S. 2011 2017

RailroadCommissionofTexas Art.6445a,V.T.C.S. 2011 2013

RealEstateCommission,Texas §1101.006,OccupationsCode 2007 2019

RegionalEducationServiceCenters §8.010,EducationCode — 2015



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RiskManagementBoardandStateOfficeofRiskManagement

§412.021(f ),LaborCode 2007 2019

SavingsandMortgageLending,OfficeofCommissionerandDepartmentof

§13.012,FinanceCode 2001 2015

SchoolLandBoard §32.003,NaturalResourcesCode — 2019

SecuritiesBoard,State Art.581-2,§O,V.T.C.S. 2001 2015

Self-DirectedSemi-IndependentAgencyProjectAct Art.8930,§4(c),V.T.C.S. 2003 2013

SocialWorkerExaminers,TexasStateBoardof §505.005,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

SoilandWaterConservationBoard,State §201.025,AgricultureCode 2011 2015,192023

Speech-LanguagePathologyandAudiology,StateBoardofExaminersfor


State-FederalRelations,Officeof §751.003,GovernmentCode 2009 2021

TaxDivision,StateOfficeofAdministrativeHearings

§2003.102,GovernmentCode — 2015

TeacherRetirementSystemofTexas,BoardofTrusteesofthe

§825.006,GovernmentCode 2007 2019

Transportation,TexasDepartmentof §201.204,TransportationCode 2011 2015

VeteransCommission,Texas §434.002(a),GovernmentCode 2007 2019

Veterans’LandBoard §161.0111,NaturalResourcesCode 2007 2019

VeterinaryMedicalExaminers,StateBoardof §801.003,OccupationsCode 2005 2017

ViolentSexOffenderManagement,Officeof §420A.004.GovernmentCode — 2023

WaterDevelopmentBoard,Texas §6.013,WaterCode 2011 2023

WindstormInsuranceAssociation,Texas §2210.002,InsuranceCode — 2015

WindhamSchoolDistrictwithintheTexasDepartmentofCriminalJustice

§19.0021,EducationCode 20 201321

Workers’Compensation,TexasDepartmentofInsuranceDivisionof

§31.004,InsuranceCode 2011 2017

WorkforceCommission,Texas §301.008,LaborCode 2003 2015

WorkforceInvestmentCouncil,Texas §2308.005,GovernmentCode 200322 2015


1 SenateBill1724,80thLegislature,abolishedtheTexasMilitaryFacilitiesCommissionandtransferreditsfunctionstotheAdjutantGeneral’sOffice.

2 TheTexasAppraiserLicensingandCertificationBoardissubjecttotheSunsetActinthelegislativesessionfollowingfederalactionremovingtherequirementforthepreparationanduseofanappraisalbyfederallyregulatedfinancialinstitutions.

3 VotersapprovedHouseJointResolution90,aconstitutionalamendment,inNovember2007,andasaresulttheTexasCancerCouncilwasabolishedanditsfunctionstransferredtotheCancerPreventionandResearchInstituteofTexas,withaSunsetdateof2021.

4 SenateBill909,80thLegislature,removedtheCorrectionalManagedHealthCareCommittee’sseparateSunsetdateandsubjectedtheCommitteetoreviewduringthesameperiodastheTexasBoardandDepartmentofCriminalJusticereview.

5 ReviewedastheTexasDepartmentofEconomicDevelopment.

6 HouseBill2678,82ndLegislature,requiredtheSunsetAdvisoryCommissiontoexamine,duringthe2013reviewoftheTexasEducationAgency,theagency’sjurisdictionandcontroloverthedrivereducationanddrivingsafetyschools.RequirementexpiresJanuary1,2014.

7 SenateBill652,82ndLegislature,subjectedtheElectricReliabilityCouncilofTexastoperiodicreviewconcurrentwiththereviewofthePublicUtilityCommissionofTexas,withtheexceptionofthe2013review.

8 ReviewedastheTexasDepartmentofProtectiveandRegulatoryServices.

9 SenateBill652,82ndLegislature,removedtheInvasiveSpeciesCoordinatingCommittee’sseparateSunsetdate.TheCommitteewillbereviewedduringtheperiodtheStateSoilandWaterConservationBoardisunderreview.

10 ReviewedastheTexasYouthCommissionandtheTexasJuvenileProbationCommission.

11 SenateBill 1605, 82ndLegislature, required theTexas Low-Level RadioactiveWaste Disposal Compact Commission be reviewedduringeachperiodinwhichTexasCommissiononEnvironmentalQualityisreviewed.TheCompactCommissionisnotsubjecttoabolishment.

12 TheSunsetCommissionconductedalimitedreviewoftheTexasMedicalBoard’sperformancemeasuresin2009.

13 ReviewedastheBoardofNurseExaminers.

14 TheBoardofPardonsandParolesdoesnothaveaseparateSunsetdate,butwillbereviewedaspartofeachreviewoftheTexasBoardandDepartmentofCriminalJustice.TheBoardisnotsubjecttoabolishment.

15 ReviewedastheTexasStateBoardofExaminersofPerfusionists.

16 SenateBill1016,81stLegislature,removedthePrescribedBurningBoard’sseparateSunsetdate.TheBoardwillbereviewedaspartofeachreviewoftheTexasDepartmentofAgriculture.

17 ReviewedastheGeneralServicesCommission.

18 Section2151.0041of theGovernmentCoderequires theSunsetAdvisoryCommissiontoconducta limitedreviewof the transferofcertainpowersanddutiesfromtheTexasBuildingandProcurementCommissiontotheComptrollerofPublicAccounts,nowhousedinitsProcurementandSupportServicesDivision.

19 TheLegislaturecontinuedtheStateSoilandWaterConservationBoardfor12years,butrequiredtheSunsetCommissiontoconductaspecialpurposereviewforthe2015LegislatureregardingtheimplementationofSunsetrecommendations.

20 SunsetstaffevaluatedTexasEducationAgency’sspecialpurposereviewoftheWindhamSchoolDistrictin2005.

21 SenateBill652,82ndLegislature,requiredaspecialpurposereviewoftheWindhamSchoolDistrictbecompletedaspartofthereviewoftheTexasDepartmentofCriminalJusticeforthe83rdLegislature.RequirementexpiresSeptember1,2013.

22 ReviewedastheTexasCouncilonWorkforceandEconomicCompetitiveness.

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Texas Sunset Act 59

Texas Sunset ActChapter 325, Government Code

Section

325.001 ShortTitle

325.002 Definitions

325.003 SunsetAdvisoryCommission

325.004 Staff

325.005 Rules

325.007 AgencyReporttoCommission

325.0075 ReportingRequirementsofAgencyBeingReviewed

325.008 CommissionDuties

325.009 PublicHearings

325.010 CommissionReport

325.011 CriteriaforReview

325.012 Recommendations

325.0123 ReviewofCertainAgenciesforRespectfulLanguage

325.0125 ReviewofCertainAgencies

325.0126 MonitoringofRecommendations

325.013 AbolitionofAdvisoryCommittees

325.015 ContinuationbyLaw

325.017 ProcedureAfterTermination

325.018 SubpoenaPower

325.019 AssistanceofandAccesstoStateAgencies

325.0195 RecordsProtectedfromDisclosure

325.020 RelocationofEmployees

325.021 SavingProvision

325.022 ReviewofProposedLegislationCreatingAnAgency

325.024 GiftsandGrants

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Texas Sunset Act January 201260

Section 325.001. Short TitleThischaptermaybecitedastheTexasSunsetAct.

Section 325.002. DefinitionsInthischapter:

(1) “Stateagency”meansanagencyexpresslymadesubjecttothischapter.

(2) “Advisory committee” means a committee, council, commission, or other entity createdunderstatelawwhoseprimaryfunctionistoadviseastateagency.

(3) “Commission”meanstheSunsetAdvisoryCommission.

Section 325.003. Sunset Advisory Commission (a) TheSunsetAdvisoryCommissionconsistsoffivemembersoftheSenateandonepublicmemberappointedbytheLieutenantGovernorandfivemembersoftheHouseofRepresentativesandonepublicmemberappointedbytheSpeakeroftheHouse.TheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHousemayserveasoneofthelegislativeappointees.

(b) Anindividualisnoteligibleforappointmentasapublicmemberiftheindividualortheindividual’sspouseis:

(1) regulatedbyastateagencythattheCommissionwillreviewduringthetermforwhichtheindividualwouldserve;

(2) employed by, participates in the management of, or directly or indirectlyhasmorethana10percentinterestinabusinessentityorotherorganizationregulatedbyastateagencytheCommissionwillreviewduringthetermforwhichtheindividualwouldserve;or

(3) requiredtoregisterasalobbyistunderChapter305becauseoftheperson’sactivitiesforcompensationonbehalfofaprofessionorentityrelatedtotheoperationofanagencyunderreview.

(c) ItisagroundforremovalofapublicmemberfromtheCommissionifthememberdoesnothavethequalificationsrequiredbySubsection(b)forappointmenttotheCommissionatthetimeofappointmentordoesnotmaintainthequalificationswhileservingontheCommission.ThevalidityoftheCommission’sactionisnotaffectedbythefactthatitwastakenwhenagroundforremovalofapublicmemberfromtheCommissionexisted.

(d) Legislativemembersservefour-yearterms,withtermsstaggeredsothatthetermsofasneartoone-halfofthelegislativemembersappointedbytheLieutenantGovernoraspossibleandthetermsofasneartoone-halfofthelegislativemembersappointedbytheSpeakeraspossibleexpireSeptember1ofeachodd-numberedyear.IftheLieutenantGovernorortheSpeakerservesontheCommission,service continuesuntil resignation from theCommissionoruntil the individual ceases tohold theoffice.Publicmembersservetwo-yeartermsexpiringSeptember1ofeachodd-numberedyear.

(e) MembersotherthantheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeraresubjecttothefollowingrestrictions:

(1) afteranindividualservessixyearsontheCommission,theindividualisnoteligibleforappointmenttoanothertermorpartofaterm;


(2) alegislativememberwhoservesafulltermmaynotbeappointedtoanimmediatelysucceedingterm;and

(3) apublicmembermaynotservemorethantwoconsecutiveterms,and,forpurposesofthisprohibition,amemberisconsideredtohaveservedatermonlyifthememberhasservedmorethanhalfoftheterm.

(f ) TheLieutenantGovernorandSpeakershallmaketheirappointmentsbeforeSeptember1ofeachodd-numberedyear.

(g) Ifalegislativememberceasestobeamemberofthehousefromwhichhewasappointed,themembervacateshismembershipontheCommission.

(h) Ifavacancyoccurs,theappropriateappointingauthorityshallappointapersontoservefortheremainderoftheunexpiredterminthesamemannerastheoriginalappointment.

(i) The Commission shall have a chairman and vice chairman as presiding officers. Thechairmanship and vice chairmanship must alternate every two years between the two membershipgroupsappointedbytheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeaker.Thechairmanandvicechairmanmaynotbefromthesamemembershipgroup.TheLieutenantGovernorshalldesignateapresidingofficerfromhisappointedmembershipgroupandtheSpeakershalldesignatetheotherpresidingofficerfromhisappointedmembershipgroup.

(j) SevenmembersoftheCommissionconstituteaquorum.AfinalactionorrecommendationmaynotbemadeunlessapprovedbyarecordvoteofamajorityofmembersappointedbytheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHouse.AllotheractionsbytheCommissionshallbedecidedbyamajorityofthememberspresentandvoting.

(k) Eachmemberof theCommission is entitled to reimbursement for actual andnecessaryexpenses incurred in performing Commission duties. Each legislative member is entitled toreimbursementfromtheappropriatefundofthemember’srespectivehouse.EachpublicmemberisentitledtoreimbursementfromfundsappropriatedtotheCommission.

Section 325.004. Staff (a) The Commission shall employ an executive director to act as the executive head of theCommission.

(b) The executive director shall employ persons necessary to carry out this chapter throughfundsmadeavailablebytheLegislature.

(c) ThechairmanandvicechairmanoftheCommissionmayeachemployastafftoworkforthemonmattersrelatedtoCommissionactivities.

Section 325.005. RulesTheCommissionshalladoptrulesnecessarytocarryoutthischapter.

Section 325.007. Agency Report to Commission (a) Before September 1 of the odd-numbered year before the year in which a state agencysubjecttothischapterisabolished,theagencyshallreporttotheCommission:


(1) informationregardingtheapplicationtotheagencyofthecriteriainSection325.011;and

(2) anyotherinformationthattheagencyconsidersappropriateorthatisrequestedbytheCommission.

(b) The reports under Subsection (a) must be submitted in electronic format only. Thecommissionshallprescribetheelectronicformattobeused.

Section 325.0075. Reporting Requirements of Agency Being ReviewedBeforeSeptember1oftheodd-numberedyearbeforetheyearinwhichastateagencysubjecttothischapterisabolished,theagencyshallsubmittothecommission,thegovernor,thelieutenantgovernor,andeachmemberofthelegislatureareportthat:

(1) listseachreportthattheagencyisrequiredbyastatutetoprepare;and

(2) evaluates theneed for each report listed inSubdivision (1) basedonwhether factors orconditionshavechangedsincethedatethestatutoryrequirementtopreparethereportwasenacted.

Section 325.008. Commission Duties (a) BeforeJanuary1oftheyearinwhichastateagencysubjecttothischapteranditsadvisorycommitteesareabolished,theCommissionshall:

(1) reviewandtakeactionnecessarytoverifythereportssubmittedbytheagencyunderSection325.007;

(2) consult theLegislativeBudgetBoard, theGovernor’sBudget,Policy, andPlanningDivision, the State Auditor, and the Comptroller of Public Accounts, or their successors, on theapplicationtotheagencyofthecriteriaprovidedinSection325.011;

(3) conductareviewoftheagencybasedonthecriteriaprovidedinSection325.011andprepareawrittenreport;and

(4) reviewtheimplementationofCommissionrecommendationscontainedinthereportspresentedtotheLegislatureduringtheprecedinglegislativesessionandtheresultinglegislation.

(b) ThewrittenreportpreparedbytheCommissionunderSubsection(a)(3)isapublicrecord.

(c) Work performed under this section by the State Auditor is subject to approval by theLegislativeAuditCommitteeforinclusionintheauditplanunderSection321.013(c).

Section 325.009. Public Hearings (a) Before February 1 of the year a state agency subject to this chapter and its advisorycommitteesareabolished,theCommissionshallconductpublichearingsconcerningbutnotlimitedtotheapplicationtotheagencyofthecriteriaprovidedinSection325.011.

(b) TheCommissionmayholdthepublichearingsafterthereviewoftheagencyrequiredbySection325.008(a)(3)iscompleteandavailabletothepublic.


Section 325.010. Commission Report (a) Ateachregularlegislativesession,theCommissionshallpresenttotheLegislatureandtheGovernorareportontheagenciesandadvisorycommitteesreviewed.

(b) InthereporttheCommissionshallinclude:

(1) itsfindingsregardingthecriteriaprescribedbySection325.011;

(2) itsrecommendationsbasedonthemattersprescribedbySection325.012;and

(3) otherinformationtheCommissionconsidersnecessaryforacompletereviewoftheagency.

Section 325.011. Criteria for ReviewTheCommissionanditsstaffshallconsiderthefollowingcriteriaindeterminingwhetherapublicneedexistsforthecontinuationofastateagencyoritsadvisorycommitteesorfortheperformanceofthefunctionsoftheagencyoritsadvisorycommittees:

(1) theefficiencyandeffectivenesswithwhichtheagencyortheadvisorycommitteeoperates;

(2) (A) an identification of the mission, goals, and objectives intended for the agency oradvisorycommitteeandoftheproblemorneedthattheagencyoradvisorycommitteewasintendedtoaddress;and

(B) the extent to which the mission, goals, and objectives have been achieved and theproblemorneedhasbeenaddressed;

(3) (A) anidentificationofanyactivitiesoftheagencyinadditiontothosegrantedbystatuteandoftheauthorityforthoseactivities;and

(B) theextenttowhichthoseactivitiesareneeded;

(4) an assessment of authority of the agency relating to fees, inspections, enforcement, andpenalties;

(5) whetherlessrestrictiveoralternativemethodsofperforminganyfunctionthattheagencyperformscouldadequatelyprotectorprovideservicetothepublic;

(6) theextenttowhichthejurisdictionoftheagencyandtheprogramsadministeredbytheagencyoverlaporduplicatethoseofotheragencies,theextenttowhichtheagencycoordinateswiththoseagencies,andtheextenttowhichtheprogramsadministeredbytheagencycanbeconsolidatedwiththeprogramsofotherstateagencies;

(7) thepromptnessandeffectivenesswithwhichtheagencyaddressescomplaintsconcerningentitiesorotherpersonsaffectedbytheagency,includinganassessmentoftheagency’sadministrativehearingsprocess;

(8) anassessmentoftheagency’srulemakingprocessandtheextenttowhichtheagencyhasencouragedparticipationbythepublicinmakingrulesanddecisionsandtheextenttowhichthepublicparticipationhasresultedinrulesthatbenefitthepublic;


(9) theextenttowhichtheagencyhascompliedwith:

(A) federal and state laws and applicable rules regarding equality of employmentopportunityandtherightsandprivacyofindividuals;and

(B) statelawandapplicablerulesofanystateagencyregardingpurchasingguidelinesandprogramsforhistoricallyunderutilizedbusinesses;

(10) theextenttowhichtheagencyissuesandenforcesrulesrelatingtopotentialconflictsofinterestofitsemployees;

(11) theextenttowhichtheagencycomplieswithChapters551and552andfollowsrecordsmanagementpracticesthatenabletheagencytorespondefficientlytorequestsforpublicinformation;

(12) theeffectoffederalinterventionorlossoffederalfundsiftheagencyisabolished;and

(13)theextenttowhichthepurposeandeffectivenessofreportingrequirementsimposedontheagencyjustifiesthecontinuationoftherequirement.

Section 325.012. Recommendations (a) Initsreportonastateagency,theCommissionshall:

(1) make recommendations on the abolition, continuation, or reorganization of eachaffectedstateagencyanditsadvisorycommitteesandontheneedfortheperformanceofthefunctionsoftheagencyanditsadvisorycommittees;

(2) makerecommendationsontheconsolidation,transfer,orreorganizationofprogramswithinstateagenciesnotunderreviewwhentheprogramsduplicatefunctionsperformedinagenciesunderreview;

(3) makerecommendationstoimprovetheoperationsoftheagency,itspolicybody,anditsadvisorycommittees,includingmanagementrecommendationsthatdonotrequireachangeintheagency’senablingstatute;and

(4) makerecommendationsonthecontinuationorabolitionofeachreportingrequirementimposedontheagencybylaw.

(b) TheCommissionshallincludetheestimatedfiscalimpactofitsrecommendationsandmayrecommendappropriationlevelsforcertainprogramstoimprovetheoperationsofthestateagency,tobeforwardedtotheLegislativeBudgetBoard.

(c) TheCommission shallhavedraftsof legislationprepared tocarryout theCommission’srecommendationsunderthissection.

(d) After the Legislature acts on the report under Section 325.010, the Commission shallpresenttotheStateAuditortheCommission’srecommendationsthatdonotrequireastatutorychangetobeput intoeffect. BasedonariskassessmentandsubjecttotheLegislativeAuditCommittee’sapprovalofincludingtheexaminationintheauditplanunderSection321.013,theStateAuditormayexaminetherecommendationsandincludeaspartofthenextapprovedauditoftheagencyareportonwhethertheagencyhasimplementedtherecommendationsand,ifso,inwhatmanner.


Section 325.0123. Review of Certain Agencies for Respectful Language (a) Asapartofitsreviewofahealthandhumanservicesagency,thecommissionshallconsiderandmakerecommendationsregardingthestatutoryrevisionsnecessarytousethephrase“intellectualdisability” insteadof“mental retardation” and touse thephrase“personwith intellectualdisability”insteadof“personwithmentalretardation.”

(b) As a part of its review of an agency, the commission shall consider and recommend, asappropriate,statutoryrevisionsinaccordancewiththepersonfirstrespectfullanguageinitiativeunderChapter392.

Section 325.0125. Review of Certain Agencies (a) In the two-year period preceding the date scheduled for the abolition of a state agencyunderthischapter,theCommissionmayexemptcertainagenciesfromtherequirementsofthischapterrelatingtostaffreports,hearings,andreviews.

(b) TheCommissionmayonly exempt agencies thathavebeen inactive for aperiodof twoyearsprecedingthedatetheagencyisscheduledforabolitionorthathavebeenrenderedinactivebyanactionoftheLegislature.

(c) The Commission’s action in exempting agencies under this section must be done by anaffirmativerecordvoteandmustbedecidedbyamajorityofallmemberspresentandvoting.

Section 325.0126. Monitoring of RecommendationsDuringeachlegislativesession,thestaffoftheCommissionshallmonitorlegislationaffectingagenciesthathaveundergoneSunsetreviewandshallperiodicallyreporttothemembersoftheCommissiononproposedchangeswhichwouldmodifypriorrecommendationsoftheCommission.

Section 325.013. Abolition of Advisory CommitteesAnadvisorycommittee,theprimaryfunctionofwhichistoadviseaparticularstateagency,isabolishedonthedatesetforabolitionoftheagencyunlesstheadvisorycommitteeisexpresslycontinuedbylaw.

Section 325.015. Continuation by Law (a) Duringtheregularsessionimmediatelybeforetheabolitionofastateagencyoranadvisorycommitteethatissubjecttothischapter,theLegislaturebylawmaycontinuetheagencyoradvisorycommitteeforaperiodnottoexceed12years.

(b) ThischapterdoesnotprohibittheLegislaturefrom:

(1) terminating a state agency or advisory committee subject to this chapter at a dateearlierthanthatprovidedinthischapter;or

(2) considering any other legislation relative to a state agency or advisory committeesubjecttothischapter.


Section 325.017. Procedure After Termination (a) A state agency that is abolished in an odd-numbered year may continue in existenceuntilSeptember1ofthefollowingyeartoconcludeitsbusiness.Unlessthelawprovidesotherwise,abolishmentdoesnotreduceorotherwiselimitthepowersandauthorityofthestateagencyduringtheconcludingyear.Astateagencyisterminatedandshallceaseallactivitiesattheexpirationoftheone-yearperiod.Unlessthelawprovidesotherwise,allrulesthathavebeenadoptedbythestateagencyexpireattheexpirationoftheone-yearperiod.

(b) Any unobligated and unexpended appropriations of an abolished agency or advisorycommitteelapseonSeptember1oftheeven-numberedyearafterabolishment.

(c) ExceptasprovidedbySubsection(f )orasotherwiseprovidedbylaw,allmoneyinadedicatedfundofanabolishedstateagencyoradvisorycommitteeonSeptember1oftheeven-numberedyearafter abolishment is transferred to theGeneralRevenueFund. Thepartof the lawdedicating themoneytoaspecificfundofanabolishedagencybecomesvoidonSeptember1oftheeven-numberedyearafterabolishment.

(d) UnlessthelaworariderintheGeneralAppropriationsActprovidesotherwise,anabolishedstateagencyoradvisorycommitteefundedintheGeneralAppropriationsActforbothyearsofthebienniummaynotspendorobligateanyofthemoneyappropriatedtoitforthesecondyearofthebiennium.

(e) UnlesstheGovernordesignatesanappropriatestateagencyasprescribedbySubsection(f ),propertyandrecordsinthecustodyofanabolishedstateagencyoradvisorycommitteeonSeptember1oftheeven-numberedyearafterabolishmentshallbetransferredtotheComptroller.IftheGovernordesignatesanappropriatestateagency,thepropertyandrecordsshallbetransferredtothedesignatedstateagency.

(f ) TheLegislature recognizes the state’s continuingobligation topaybonded indebtednessandallotherobligations,includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations,incurredbyastateagency abolished under this chapter, and this chapter does not impair or impede the payment ofbondedindebtednessandallotherobligationsincludinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations,inaccordancewith their terms. If anabolished stateagencyhasoutstandingbonded indebtednessorotheroutstandingobligations, including lease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations, thebondsand all other obligations, including lease, contract, and other written obligations, remain valid andenforceableinaccordancewiththeirtermsandsubjecttoallapplicabletermsandconditionsofthelawsandproceedingsauthorizingthebondsandallotherobligations, includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations.TheGovernorshalldesignateanappropriatestateagencythatshallcontinuetocarryoutallcovenantscontainedinthebondsandinallotherobligations,includinglease,contractandotherwrittenobligations,andtheproceedingsauthorizingthem,includingtheissuanceofbonds,andtheperformanceofallotherobligations,includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations,tocompletetheconstructionofprojectsortheperformanceofotherobligations,includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations.Thedesignatedstateagencyshallprovidepaymentfromthesourcesofpaymentofthebondsinaccordancewiththetermsofthebondsandshallprovidepaymentfromthesourcesofpaymentofallotherobligations,includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations,inaccordancewiththeirterms,whetherfromtaxes,revenues,orotherwise,untilthebondsandintereston thebonds arepaid in full and all otherobligations, including lease, contract, andotherwrittenobligations,areperformedandpaidinfull.Iftheproceedingssoprovide,allfundsestablishedbylaws


orproceedingsauthorizingthebondsorauthorizingotherobligations,includinglease,contract,andotherwrittenobligations,shallremainwiththeComptrollerorthepreviouslydesignatedtrustees.IftheproceedingsdonotprovidethatthefundsremainwiththeComptrollerorthepreviouslydesignatedtrustees,thefundsshallbetransferredtothedesignatedstateagency.

Section 325.018. Subpoena Power (a) TheCommissionmayissueprocesstocompeltheattendanceofwitnessesandtheproductionofbooks,record,papers,andotherobjectsnecessaryorproperforthepurposesoftheCommissionproceedings.Theprocessmaybeservedonawitnessatanyplaceinthisstate.

(b) IfamajorityoftheCommissiondirectstheissuanceofasubpoena,thechairmanshallissuethesubpoenainthenameoftheCommission.

(c) Ifthechairmanisabsent,thechairman’sdesigneemayissueasubpoenaorotherprocessinthesamemannerasthechairman.

(d) Ifnecessarytoobtaincompliancewithasubpoenaorotherprocess,theCommissionmayissueattachments.Theattachmentsmaybeaddressedtoandservedbyanypeaceofficerinthisstate.

(e) Testimonytakenundersubpoenamustbereducedtowritingandgivenunderoathsubjecttothepenaltiesofperjury.

(f ) A witness who attends a Commission proceeding under process is entitled to the samemileageandperdiemasawitnesswhoappearsbeforeagrandjuryinthisstate.

Section 325.019. Assistance of and Access to State Agencies (a) TheCommissionmayrequesttheassistanceofstateagenciesandofficers.Whenassistanceisrequested,astateagencyorofficershallassisttheCommission.

(b) In carrying out its functions under this chapter, the Commission or its designated staffmembermayinspecttherecords,documents,andfilesofanystateagency.

Section 325.0195. Records Protected From Disclosure (a) Aworkingpaper,includingalldocumentaryorotherinformation,preparedormaintainedbythecommissionstaffinperformingitsdutiesunderthischapterorotherlawtoconductanevaluationandprepareareportisexceptedfromthepublicdisclosurerequirementsofSection552.021.

(b) Arecordheldbyanotherentitythatisconsideredtobeconfidentialbylawandthatthecommission receives in connection with the performance of the commission’s functions under thischapteroranotherlawremainsconfidentialandisexceptedfromthepublicdisclosurerequirementsofSection552.021.

Section 325.020. Relocation of EmployeesIfanemployeeisdisplacedbecauseastateagencyoritsadvisorycommitteeisabolished,reorganizedorcontinued,thestateagencyandtheTexasWorkforceCommissionshallmakeareasonableefforttorelocatethedisplacedemployee.


Section 325.021. Saving ProvisionExceptasotherwiseexpresslyprovided,abolitionofastateagencydoesnotaffectrightsanddutiesthatmatured,penaltiesthatwereincurred,civilorcriminalliabilitiesthatarose,orproceedingsthatwerebegunbeforetheeffectivedateoftheabolition.

Section 325.022. Review of Proposed Legislation Creating An Agency (a) EachbillfiledinahouseoftheLegislaturethatwouldcreateanewstateagencyoranewadvisorycommitteetoastateagencyshallbereviewedbytheCommission.

(b) TheCommissionshallreviewthebilltodetermineif:

(1) theproposedfunctionsoftheagencyorcommitteecouldbeadministeredbyoneormoreexistingstateagenciesoradvisorycommittees;

(2) the form of regulation, if any, proposed by the bill is the least restrictive form ofregulationthatwilladequatelyprotectthepublic;

(3) thebillprovidesforadequatepublicinputregardinganyregulatoryfunctionproposedbythebill;and

(4) thebillprovidesforadequateprotectionagainstconflictsofinterestwithintheagencyorcommittee.

(c) On request, theCommission shall forward awritten commenton the legislation to theauthorofthebillandtothepresidingofficerofthecommitteetowhichthebillisreferred.

Section 325.024. Gifts and Grants (a) TheCommissionmayacceptgifts,grants,anddonationsfromanyorganizationdescribedinSection501(c)(3)oftheInternalRevenueCodeforthepurposeoffundinganyactivityunderthischapter.

(b) Allgifts,grants,anddonationsmustbeacceptedinanopenmeetingbyamajorityofthevotingmembersoftheCommissionandreportedinthepublicrecordoftheCommissionwiththenameofthedonorandpurposeofthegift,grant,ordonation.

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Sunset Commission Rules 69

Sunset Commission Rules

Rule 1. Presiding OfficersTheCommissionshallhave,aspresidingofficers,achairmanandavicechairman.Thechairmanshipand vice chairmanship must alternate between the two membership groups appointed by theLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHouse.ThechairmanmaydesignateamemberoftheCommissiontopresideatameetingoftheCommissionintheabsenceofthechairmanandvicechairman.Thechairman’sdesigneeshallpresideatthewillofthechairmanandshallpresideonlyintheabsenceofthechairmanandvicechairman.

Rule 2. Meetings: Time, Place and Notice(a) TheCommissionshallmeetatthecallofthechairmanattimesandplacesdeterminedbythe

chairmanafterconsultationwiththevicechairman.

(b)ThechairmanshallhavenoticeofeachmeetingpostedasrequiredbySection551.041oftheGovernmentCode,the“OpenMeetingsAct.”

Rule 3. Quorum(a) AquorumshallconsistofatleastsevenmembersoftheCommission.

(b)Aquorumisnotnecessaryforthetakingoftestimonyorforworksessions,providedthatnotlessthanfourmembersoftheCommissionarepresentforthesepurposes.

Rule 4. Subpoena Power and Oaths(a) Thechairman,orintheabsenceofthechairman,thechairman’sdesignee,shallissueasubpoena,

inthenameoftheCommission,whenamajorityoftheCommissionsodirects.

(b)AnymemberoftheCommissionmayadministeranoathtoawitnesswhoappearsbeforetheCommission.

Rule 5. Record of Meetings(a) Thechairmanshallensurethataccurateminutesarekeptofeachmeetingandshallhaveeach

meeting recorded. The minutes of a meeting are subject to approval and correction by theCommissionatthenextmeeting.

(b)ThechairmanshallensurethatarecordismaintainedofthenameandcontactinformationofeachwitnesswhoappearsbeforetheCommission,andofthenameandcontactinformationofeachindividual,corporation,orassociationthewitnessrepresents.

Rule 6. Committees(a) Thechairmanmayappointcommittees, asnecessary, toconsideror study subjects referred to

thembythechairman,andmayappointthechairmanofeachcommittee.

(b)AcommitteeshallreporttotheCommissionasinstructedbythechairman.

(c) ThemeetingsofacommitteeshallbepostedinthesamemannerrequiredoftheCommission.Amajorityofacommitteeconstitutesaquorum.Aquorumisnotnecessaryforthetakingofpublictestimony.

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset Commission Rules January 201270

Rule 7. Decisions(a) AfinalactionorrecommendationoftheCommissionshallrequirearecordvoteofamajorityof

membersappointedbytheLieutenantGovernorandtheSpeakeroftheHouse.

(b)AdecisionoftheCommissiontoexemptaninactiveagencyfromthereporting,hearing,andevaluation requirements of theTexasSunsetAct shall require an affirmative record voteof amajorityofallmembersoftheCommissionpresentandvoting.

(c) AnyotherdecisionoftheCommissionnotcoveredunderRule7(a)andRule7(b)requireavoteofamajorityofallmembersoftheCommissionpresentandvoting.

(d)AmemberoftheCommissionwhodissentsfromtheadoptionofthereport,requiredbySection325.010oftheTexasSunsetAct,isentitledtohaveadissentingstatementincludedinthereport.

Rule 8. ProceduresMeetingsoftheCommissionoritscommitteesshallbeconductedaccordingtoacceptedparliamentaryprocedures.

Rule 9. Amendments to Rules(a) Theserulesmaybeamendedafternoticeofaproposedamendmentisplacedontheagendafora

meetingoftheCommission.TheproposedamendmentmaybeadoptedatthemeetingbyavoteofamajorityofallmembersoftheCommissionpresentandvoting.

(b)Thechairmanshallplaceanoticeofaproposedamendmentof theserulesontheagendafora meeting of the Commission when requested in writing by a member of the Commission,providedtherequestisreceivedbeforethepostingdeadlineforthemeeting.

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Related Statutory Provisions 71

Related Statutory Provisions

Several state statutes have provisions relating to theTexas Sunset Act or the Sunset Commission.Theseprovisionsarebrieflydescribedbelow.

Government Code§ 321.013RequirestheStateAuditortorecommendtotheLegislativeAuditCommitteeanannualaudit plan, taking into consideration any recommendations made jointly by representatives of theSunsetCommission,theLegislativeBudgetBoard,andtheStateAuditor’sOffice.

§ 321.0134 ProhibitstheStateAuditorfromschedulinganeffectivenessauditofanagencythatisundergoingSunsetreview.

§ 326.003 RequirestheSunsetCommission,theLegislativeBudgetBoardandtheStateAuditor’sOffice to form a committee that makes recommendations for coordinating the agencies’ oversightfunctions.

§ 2056.002 Requireseachstateagencytosendacopyoftheagency’sstrategicplantotheSunsetCommission,theGovernor,theLieutenantGovernor,theSpeakeroftheHouse,LegislativeBudgetBoard,theStateAuditor,theComptroller,theDepartmentofInformationResources,theLegislativeReferenceLibrary,andtheTexasStateLibrary.

§ 2056.010RequirestheSunsetCommission,theStateAuditor,theLegislativeBudgetBoard,andotheragenciesthatconductperformanceauditstoconsiderthedegreetowhichanagencyunderreviewconformstoitsstrategicplan.

§ 2102.009 Requires stateagencies’ internal auditors toprepareanannual reportand submit it totheSunsetCommission,theGovernor,theLegislativeBudgetBoard,theStateAuditor,theagency’spolicymakingbody,andtheagency’sadministrator.

§ 2102.0091 Requires any audit report submitted to, and any response issued by, a state agency’sgoverning board or administrator to also be filed with the Sunset Commission, the Governor, theLegislativeBudgetBoard,andtheStateAuditor.

Natural Resources Code§ 31.156RequirestheGeneralLandOfficetoreviewanagency’srealpropertyinventoryduringthecalendaryearbeforetheagencyisscheduledforabolitionundertheTexasSunsetAct.

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Related Statutory Provisions January 201272

Sunset Advisory Commission Sunset in Texas January 2012 Current and Past Commission Members 73

83rd Legislature – 2013

SenatorRobertNichols,ViceChair RepresentativeDennisBonnen,ChairSenatorBrianBirdwell RepresentativeRafaelAnchiaSenatorJoanHuffman RepresentativeByronCookSenatorDanPatrick RepresentativeHaroldV.Dutton,Jr.SenatorJohnWhitmire RepresentativeFourPriceJanNewton,PublicMember CasandraOrtiz,PublicMember

82nd Legislature – 2011

SenatorGlennHegar,Jr.,Chair RepresentativeDennisBonnen,ViceChairSenatorJuan“Chuy”Hinojosa RepresentativeRafaelAnchiaSenatorJoanHuffman RepresentativeByronCookSenatorRobertNichols RepresentativeLindaHarper-BrownSenatorJohnWhitmire RepresentativeLarryTaylor*CharlesMcMahen,PublicMember LamontJefferson,PublicMember

*RepresentativeLarryTaylorwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeCarlIsett.

81st Legislature – 2009

SenatorGlennHegar,Jr.,ViceChair RepresentativeCarlIsett,ChairSenatorKimBrimer RepresentativeDanFlynnSenatorRobertF.Deuell,M.D. RepresentativeLindaHarper-BrownSenatorCraigEstes RepresentativeLoisKolkhorstSenatorJuan“Chuy”Hinojosa RepresentativeRuthJonesMcClendonCharlesMcMahen,PublicMember* IkeSugg,PublicMember

*CharlesMcMahenwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofMichaelStevens.

Current and Past Commission Members

O

O

O

Sunset in Texas Sunset Advisory Commission Current and Past Commission Members January 201274

80th Legislature – 2007

SenatorKimBrimer,Chair RepresentativeVickiTruitt,ViceChairSenatorRobertF.Deuell,M.D. RepresentativeByronCookSenatorCraigEstes RepresentativeDanFlynn*SenatorEliotShapleigh RepresentativeLoisKolkhorst**SenatorJohnWhitmire RepresentativeRuthJonesMcClendonHowardWolf,PublicMember IkeSugg,PublicMember

* RepresentativeDanFlynnwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeGlennHegar.** RepresentativeLoisKolkhorstwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeCarlIsett.


SenatorJaneNelson,ViceChair RepresentativeBurtSolomons,ChairSenatorJohnCarona RepresentativeByronCook*SenatorMikeJackson RepresentativeJimDunnamSenatorEliotShapleigh RepresentativePeggyHamricSenatorJohnWhitmire RepresentativeVickiTruittHowardWolf,PublicMember JohnShields,PublicMember*RepresentativeByronCookwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeGlennO.Lewis.


SenatorJaneNelson,Chair RepresentativeWarrenChisum,ViceChairSenatorMikeJackson RepresentativeJimDunnamSenatorEddieLucio,Jr. RepresentativePeteGallegoSenatorEliotShapleigh* RepresentativeBurtSolomonsDr.TimRoth,PublicMember LibbyLinebarger,PublicMember

*SenatorEliotShapleighwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofSenatorDavidSibley.


SenatorChrisHarris,ViceChair RepresentativeFredBosse,ChairSenatorEddieLucio,Jr. RepresentativeWarrenChisumSenatorDavidSibley RepresentativePeteGallegoSenatorJudithZaffirini RepresentativeBrianMcCallDr.TimRoth,PublicMember WilliamM.JeterIII,PublicMember

O

O

O

O



SenatorJ.E.(Buster)Brown,Chair RepresentativePatriciaGray,ViceChairSenatorChrisHarris RepresentativeFredBosseSenatorFrankMadla RepresentativeAllenHightowerSenatorJudithZaffirini RepresentativeBrianMcCallHonorableRobertLanier,PublicMember WilliamM.JeterIII,PublicMember


SenatorKenArmbrister,ViceChair RepresentativePatriciaGray,Chair*SenatorJ.E.(Buster)Brown RepresentativeFredBosse**SenatorFrankMadla RepresentativeAllenHightowerSenatorDavidSibley RepresentativeBarryTelfordDr.IsabellaCunningham,PublicMember MikeSims,PublicMember*RepresentativePatriciaGraywasappointedtofilltheChairattheresignationofRepresentativeLaytonBlack.**RepresentativeFredBossewasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeLaytonBlack.


SenatorKenArmbrister,Chair RepresentativeLaytonBlack,ViceChairSenatorMikeMoncrief RepresentativeDavidCountsSenatorCarlParker RepresentativePatriciaGraySenatorDavidSibley RepresentativeBarryTelfordChuckBailey,PublicMember MikeSims,PublicMember

73rd Legislature – 1993

SenatorCarlParker,ViceChair RepresentativeDavidCain,ChairSenatorSteveCarriker RepresentativeLaytonBlack**SenatorO.H.(Ike)Harris* RepresentativeDavidCountsSenatorMikeMoncrief RepresentativeAshleySmithPaulN.Wageman,PublicMember CharlesEdmonds,PublicMember*SenatorHarriswasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofSenatorGeneGreen.**RepresentativeBlackwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeNicholasPerez.

O

O

O

O


72nd Legislature – 1991

SenatorGonzaloBarrientos,Chair RepresentativeLenaGuerrero,ViceChairSenatorSteveCarriker RepresentativeDavidCainSenatorGeneGreen RepresentativeBruceGibson*SenatorDonHenderson RepresentativeAshleySmithDr.NancyC.Speck,PublicMember Ms.LynnEggers,PublicMember*RepresentativeGibsonwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofRepresentativeBillHammond.

71st Legislature – 1989

SenatorBobMcFarland,ViceChair RepresentativeJackVowell,ChairSenatorGonzaloBarrientos RepresentativeAlGranoffSenatorGeneGreen* RepresentativeLenaGuerreroSenatorDonHenderson RepresentativeBillHammondJaneHickie,PublicMember CharlesEdmonds,PublicMember*SenatorGreenwasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofSenatorJohnMontford.


SenatorChetEdwards,Chair RepresentativePatriciaHill,ViceChairSenatorRayFarabee* RepresentativeBruceGibsonSenatorBobMcFarland RepresentativeAlGranoffSenatorJohnMontford RepresentativeJackVowellPeteSnelson,PublicMember CharlesEdmonds,PublicMember

RepresentativeCharlesEvans***SenatorFarabeewasappointedtofilltheunexpiredtermofSenatorJohnSharp.**RepresentativeCharlesEvans–Exofficiomember.


SenatorKentCaperton,ViceChair RepresentativeCharlesEvans,Chair*SenatorChetEdwards RepresentativeBruceGibsonSenatorBillSarpalius RepresentativePatriciaHillSenatorJohnSharp RepresentativeGaryThompsonJesseM.Erwin,Jr.,PublicMember HarryJ.Stone,Jr.,PublicMember* Representative Charles Evans was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Representative Elton Bomer.

O

O

O

O



SenatorEdHoward,Chair RepresentativeCharlesEvans,ViceChairSenatorKentCaperton RepresentativeEltonBomerSenatorO.H.(Ike)Harris RepresentativeErnestineGlossbrenner*SenatorBillSarpalius RepresentativeGaryThompsonVernonMcGee,PublicMember CarolBarger,PublicMember* Representative Ernestine Glossbrenner was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Representative Al Brown.


SenatorEdHoward,ViceChair RepresentativeBennieBock,ChairSenatorLloydDoggett RepresentativeAlBrown,Jr.*SenatorO.H.(Ike)Harris RepresentativeBillCeverhaSenatorA.R.(Babe)Schwartz RepresentativeCharlesEvans* Representative Al Brown, Jr. was appointed to fill the unexpired term of Representative Mike Ezzell.


SenatorBillMeier,Chair RepresentativeBennieBock,ViceChairSenatorLloydDoggett RepresentativeBillCeverhaSenatorA.R.(Babe)Schwartz RepresentativeLeeF.JacksonSenatorW.E.Snelson RepresentativeLanceLalor

O

O

O

Accommodations for People With Disabilities

Persons with special needs or who wish to request an Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)accommodation,pleasecontacttheSunsetADACoordinatorat(512)463-1300.Individualswithahearingimpairmentmaycall711or(800)735-2989foroperatorassistanceincontactingtheSunsetoffice.TheSunsetAdvisoryCommissionwillworkwithanyonemakingarequesttoprovidereasonableaccommodations.

SunsetCommissionmeetingsareheldinroomsequippedwithalimitednumberofassistivelisteningdevices.Ifyourequireanassistivelisteningdevice,pleasecontacttheSunsetADACoordinatorwhenyoudecidetoattendaSunsetmeetingsothatthenecessaryequipmentcanbereserved.TheSunsetCommissionwillprovideinterpreterserviceswhenneededforCommissionmeetingsormeetingsintheSunsetoffice.Priornotificationisrequestedtoallowstafftoarrangeforinterpreterservices.

MeetingroomsintheCapitolExtensionarewheelchairaccessible;however,roomsmaybecomeverycrowdedduringhearings.Withpriornotification,theSunsetADACoordinatorcanadviseapersonwithadisabilityofthemostaccessibleroutestothemeetingsandreserveanareathatwillprovideanunrestrictedviewoftheCommission’sactivities.ApersonwithadisabilitywhomayrequirespecialaccommodationstopresenttestimonytotheCommissionshouldcontacttheSunsetADACoordinatorpriortotheCommissionmeetingtoensurethatappropriateaccommodationsareavailable.

ManySunsetdocumentsareavailable throughtheInterneton theSunsetwebsite locatedatwww.sunset.state.tx.us. Documents available include Sunset staff reports, reports to the legislature, andsummariesofSunsetlegislation.

All Capitol facilities, including elevators, restrooms, water fountains, and the Capitol grounds areaccessibletopersonswithdisabilities.ATDDphoneislocatedinRoom1S.2oftheCapitolandinthesouthwestphonebankson levelsE1andE2of theCapitolExtension. TheCapitolBuilding ismanagedbytheStatePreservationBoard.IfyouhavequestionsregardingaccessibilityoftheCapitolBuildingandcomplex,pleasecontacttheStatePreservationBoardat(512)463-0063.

Sunset Advisory CommissionLocation:

Robert E. Johnson Office Building1501 North Congress, 6th Floor

Austin, Texas 78701Mail:

PO Box 13066Austin, Texas 78711

Tel: (512) 463-1300 Fax: (512) 463-0705email: [email protected] website: www.sunset.state.tx.us