In 1977, the Texas Legislature created the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. The goal was clear: give lawmakers a way to check if state agencies were still needed. At that time, many Texans believed government had grown too large, too slow, and too distant from the people. By setting up the Sunset Commission, Texas joined a growing national push to keep government under control.
In fact, the State of Texas started “DOGE-ing” well before it was popular in Washington D.C. And efficiency was a primary purpose from the beginning. By 1982, some 35 states also had a form of Sunset law.
The first Texas law put 177 agencies under review. It also created a commission with eight members, half from the House and half from the Senate. Initially, the Legislative Budget Board acted as the staff.
In 1981, the Sunset Commission added two public members, raising the total to 10. That same year, the group got its own staff. It also received the power to suggest merging, transferring, or reorganizing agencies, not just reviewing them.
As always, the Texas system stood out. Agencies automatically “sunset,” or expire, about 12 years after their last review unless the Legislature votes to extend them. This built-in expiration consequently creates pressure and makes lawmakers act.
How the Sunset Commission Works
Today, the Sunset Advisory Commission has 12 members:
- 10 legislators: five senators picked by the Lieutenant Governor and five representatives picked by the Speaker of the House.
- 2 public members: one chosen by each legislative leader.
The leadership rotates every two years between the Senate and the House.
The Commission also relies on a team of staff members, such as analysts and administrators. These staffers plan reviews, meet with agencies, and draft reports. Even so, the Sunset Commission members make the final decisions.
The Sunset Commission Review Process
The Sunset process follows five main steps:
- Self-evaluation: The agency drafts a report about its duties, problems/challenges, any duplication, and areas for improvement.
- Staff analysis: Sunset staff meet with leaders, interest groups, and others. They subsequently prepare a report with recommendations.
- Public hearing: The Sunset Commission holds a hearing where citizens and interest groups share their views.
- Commission vote: Members debate and vote on options—continue, change, merge, or end the agency as well as various policy related issues.
- Legislative action: Lastly, the Commission’s recommendations become bills. The Legislature can pass them, change them, or reject them. Most agencies continue but with changes.
This review happens every two years and usually covers 20 to 30 agencies out of about 130 on the schedule.
Interesting Highlights and Facts about the Sunset Commission
- In 1978, the Sunset Commission found that the Texas Stonewall Jackson Memorial Board, created in 1957, had never met in 20 years. Lawmakers shut it down the next year. Other early cuts also included the Burial Association Rate Board and the Pink Bollworm Commission.
- Since 1977, Sunset has recommended closing 42 agencies and combining 53 others. These actions saved taxpayers an estimated $1 billion.
- The Sunset process is known for being open and supported by both political parties. Instead of sudden policy shifts and budget cuts, it focuses on understanding the agencies and improving services while cutting waste.
- At times, the Sunset Commission does limited reviews of agencies that are not usually up for abolishment. For example, lawmakers may ask Sunset to study one office or program inside a larger agency if problems show up.
Agencies Scheduled for Review in 2026–2027
Looking ahead, during the 2026–2027 Sunset Review Cycle, these agencies are scheduled for review (about 20–30 in total):
- Aging Services Coordinating Council, Statewide Interagency
- Governor’s Committee on People with Disabilities
- Perinatal Advisory Council
- Public Health Funding and Policy Committee
- State Use Program (WorksWonders), Texas Workforce Commission
- Texas Civil Commitment Office
- Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities
- Texas Department of Family and Protective Services
- Texas Department of State Health Services
- Texas Funeral Service Commission (limited review)
- Texas Health and Human Services Commission
- Texas Health Services Authority
- Texas Juvenile Justice Department (limited review)
- Texas Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee
- Texas Workforce Commission
- Texas Workforce Investment Council
Some of these reviews will be limited in scope, focusing on parts of an agency instead of the whole thing.
Final Thoughts
For almost fifty years, the Sunset process has been Texas’ main tool for checking how well state agencies serve the public. It has reduced overlap, encouraged reforms, and sometimes closed programs that no longer made sense. At the same time, the process has limits. Lawmakers must act on recommendations, and politics often shapes the results. Sometimes, unrelated topics may completely derail an otherwise uneventful Sunset review.
Looking ahead to the 2026–2027 cycle, the Sunset Commission will focus on agencies in health, juvenile justice, and workforce services. The reviews will provide another chance to weigh how these agencies operate and whether changes could improve their work for Texans. Sunset review also presents unique opportunity to touch almost any issue relating to an agency.
Interested in a particular Sunset review or issue? The GovExperts Team stands ready to assist. Contact us today!