The Sunset Commission’s last report of the 2016-2017 cycle, Final Results of Sunset Reviews, is now available on the Sunset Advisory Commission's website. 

 

A diagram of how the Sunset process works is available via the Sunset Advisory Commission's website. Click here to see a list of the agencies under review for the 2018-2019 cycle. 

 

 

Cover image by Flickr user Nathan Eaton Jr.

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Every legislative session, about 20-30 agencies go through the Sunset process—the regular assessment of the continuing need for a state agency or program to exist. The Sunset Advisory Commission submitted its Report to the 85th Legislature on Friday, Feb. 10. Per Sunset procedures, an agency, program, policy, or law will be abolished on its "sunset" date unless the legislature passes a bill to continue it. Such bills often enact revised policies as recommended in the review process.

 

Wondering how you can find these bills? The Sunset Commission recently added a page dedicated to the 85th Legislature where you can see which agencies were reviewed and what bills have been filed. They also are tweeting Sunset bills as they are filed.

 

In addition, you can find Sunset bills on Texas Legislature Online. Select "Search" from the top navigation, and pull down to "Bill Search." From that screen, go to the Subjects section and click on "Select subject criteria." This will pull up the box as seen below. (If your pop-up blocker is enabled, you may have to tell it to allow this exception.) Do a search for "sunset," then select "Sunset--Commission Bills (I0772). Click on the right arrow to move it to your "Selected" subjects, then click OK to return to the main Bill Search screen.

 

From here, you can click on "Search" in the top right corner, and you will get your results. You can refine your results to particular subjects of interest, look back at past years' sunset bills, and more.

 

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The Sunset Commission’s last report of the 2014–2015 cycle, Final Results of Sunset Reviews, is now available on the Sunset Advisory Commission's website. 

 

"This comprehensive report briefly summarizes the final results of each Sunset review, including both legislative actions and nonstatutory management directives. Despite the failure of four bills, the 84th Legislature adopted 72 percent of the Commission’s 185 recommendations through Sunset legislation or other related legislation. The legislation is estimated to have a positive fiscal impact of some $38 million."

- Ken Levine, Director of the Sunset Advisory Commission

 

A diagram of how the Sunset process works is available via the Sunset Advisory Commission's website.  

 

This entry was posted on July 20, 2015 at 3:22 PM and has received 2466 views. Print this entry.

In the 2010-2011 biennium, 28 state agencies were subject to review by the Sunset Advisory Commission.  The Commission recently published its recommendations in its Report to the 82nd Legislature (February 2011). 

In this post, we answer commonly asked questions about the Sunset Advisory Commission and the sunset review process.

What is sunset review?
From the Commission's Guide to the Sunset Process - "Sunset is the regular assessment of the continuing need for a state agency to exist.  While standard legislative oversight is concerned with agency compliance with legislative policies, Sunset asks a more basic question: Do the agency's functions continue to be needed?  The Sunset process works by setting a date on which an agency will be abolished unless legislation is passed to continue its functions.  This creates a unique opportunity for the Legislature to look closely at each agency and make fundamental changes to an agency's mission or operations if needed.

The Sunset process is guided by a 12-member body appointed by the Lieutenant Governor and the Speaker of the House of Representatives.  Assisting the Commission is a staff whose reports provide an assessment of an agency's programs, giving the Legislature the information needed to draw conclusions about program necessity and workability."

Who are the current members of the Sunset Advisory Commission?
The Commission is made up of five House members, five Senate members, and two members of the public.  The Senate members are: Sen. Glenn Hegar, Jr. (chair), Sen. Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, Sen. Joan Huffman, Sen. Robert Nichols, and Sen. John Whitmire.  The House members are: Rep. Dennis Bonnen (vice chair), Rep. Rafael Anchia, Rep Byron Cook, Rep. Linda Harper-Brown, and Rep. Larry Taylor.  The two public members are Charles McMahen and Lamont Jefferson. 

What agencies were reviewed for this session?
A total of 28 state agencies were under sunset review in the 2010-2011 biennium.  To see a list of these agencies, see page 3 of the Sunset Advisory Commission's Report to the 82nd Legislature.  Agency self-evaluations, Sunset staff reports, and other documents related to the review process can be found on the Commission's website. 

How do I find sunset bills?
During the legislative session, the Sunset Commission files legislation to enact improvements identified during the sunset review process.  A list of Sunset Commission bills introduced during the 82nd Regular Session is available online.

What agencies will be up for review in 2013?
37 state agencies are scheduled for sunset review in the 2012-2013 biennium.  Appendix A of the Sunset Advisory Commission's Report to the 82nd Legislature contains a list of these agencies. 

Which state agencies are subject to the Sunset Act and where can I find the dates of their last and next review?
The Sunset Commission's Guide to the Sunset Process provides a list of state agencies subject to the Sunset Act and the dates of their next and last review (see pg. 75.)

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