State Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy) formally began his tenure as chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission yesterday as the newly-constituted group met for the first time.
Members approved a review schedule outlining the timetables staff and commissioners will follow as they continue work on an ambitious schedule during which 28 state agencies will undergo the sunset review process.
In unusually early action, one state agency has already been set for elimination.
SUNSET REVIEW – State Sen. Glenn Hegar yesterday presided over the first meeting of the Sunset Review Commission since taking the reins as its chairman. During the meeting, the commission took action to abolish one inactive state agency.
“Today we began a critical process by officially initiating the review of some of Texas’ most important agencies,” Hegar said following the initial meeting. “As we continue this important work, one thing that I would emphasize is that this commission’s work will be an open process. The good and hardworking people of this great state are the ultimate constituency to which these agencies must answer, and it is my great hope that all interested Texans will share their praise, criticism or suggestions for any agency under review as that input is critical to a full and successful review.”
At Tuesday’s meeting the Sunset Advisory Commission approved minutes, heard a summary of the sunset process, approved a review schedule, adopted rules and attended to procedural matters before concluding the meeting by voting unanimously to forego review of the inactive Electronic Government Program Management Office. That vote will set in motion a chain of events that will result in the agency’s elimination.
As with all agencies subject to sunset review, the organization’s charter will be rescinded absent legislative action.
Both the review schedule and commission meeting dates are now available on the Commission’s website at www.sunsete.state.tx.us.
The Sunset Advisory commission was created by the Texas Legislature in 1977 to identify and eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency in government agencies.
The commission conducts reviews of nearly all state agencies, gathering information from the agency itself, members of the public, interest groups and professional organizations. Each review is a three to eight month process.
After conducting the review, the Sunset Advisory Commission determines whether the agency is needed. Those that are found to be duplicative or no longer needed are abolished after a one year “wind-down” period.
More typically, a final report is issued detailing recommended changes to the agency. The report is then used to develop legislation to implement the changes in how the agency performs its mission.
Over the next year and a half, the commission will review 28 state agencies. Of particular note are reviews of the Public Utility Commission, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and the Division of Workers’ Compensation, as well as re-reviews of the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Youth Commission.
The Sunset Advisory Commission is estimated to have saved the state more than $783 million since 1982.
Katy native Hegar, the youngest member of the Texas Senate, served two terms in the Texas House of Representatives before being elected to Senate District 18.
Hegar’s district includes much of the Katy area, the western portion of the Fort Bend County and extends as far west as San Marcos and along the Texas Gulf Coast from Matagorda County to the eastern edge of Corpus Christi.
By: John Pape on Wed, Nov 18, 2009
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