State Sen. Glenn Hegar (R-Katy), chairman of the Sunset Advisory Commission, yesterday announced the date for the Commission’s organizational meeting.
That meeting is set for 11 a.m. Nov. 17 in the Senate Finance Room at the Texas State Capitol in Austin.
“The members of the Sunset Commission have a great deal of work ahead of us with our upcoming review cycle. I am eager to finalize meeting schedules and get the review process underway,” Hegar said.
At organizational meeting, the Sunset Review Schedule, as well as the overall meeting schedule, will be approved by the full commission. Both the review schedule and commission meeting dates will be available on the Sunset Advisory Commission’s website, www.sunset.state.tx.us.
In 1977, the Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission to identify and eliminate waste, duplication and inefficiency in government agencies. The 12-member commission is a legislative body that reviews the policies and programs of more than 150 government agencies every 12 years.
The commission questions the need for each agency, looks for potential duplication of other public services or programs and considers new and innovative changes to improve each agency’s operations and activities.
The current review schedule includes 29 critical agencies, including the Public Utility Commission, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, and the Division of Workers’ Compensation. Additionally, the commission will conduct re-reviews of the Texas Department of Insurance, Texas Department of Transportation and the Texas Youth Commission.
The 12-member commission consists of five state senators and a public member selected by the Lieutenant Governor, and five state representatives and one public member selected by the Speaker of the Texas House.
Hegar was recently appointed chairman by Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst after having served as vice chairman during the 81st Texas Legislature.
