Texas Sunset Advisory Commission

The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a 12-member legislative commission that identifies ways to eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in state government. The Sunset process questions the continuing need for an agency, identifies agency programs that duplicate other public services, and recommends ways to improve the agency's efficiency and effectiveness. About 130 state agencies come under Sunset review on a rotating basis, typically once every 12 years. The Sunset Commission makes recommendations to the Legislature for each agency, and most agencies are automatically abolished unless the Legislature passes a bill to continue them. Public participation is invaluable to the Sunset process and is welcomed at every stage to ensure everyone can have a say on agencies under Sunset review. Individuals, organizations, and businesses directly or indirectly affected by an agency have first-hand knowledge and experiences with the agency that help Sunset identify problems and opportunities for improvement. The Sunset process has streamlined and changed state government since its inception in 1977. As of 2019, the Legislature has enacted 80 percent of the Sunset Commission’s recommendations to improve state government. including completely abolishing 41 agencies and abolishing another 51 agencies and transferring some or all of their functions to another agency. The Sunset process also saves taxpayers money, with an estimated $1 billion in state and federal savings and revenue gains based on fiscal notes for Sunset bills between 1982 and 2019. This amounts to a return of $19 for every $1 the Legislature has appropriated to the Sunset Commission. To learn more about the Sunset process and to provide formal feedback on an agency undergoing Sunset review, visit the Sunset website at https://www.sunset.texas.gov.