July 14, 2011
Below is a list of Sunset legislation from the 82nd Regular Session that was either sent to the Governor, included in the Sunset safety net bill (SB 652), or added to SB 1 during the 1st Called Special Session of the 82nd Legislature. (*indicates further detail on the bill is available under the appropriate section.)
Agency |
Author/Sponsor |
Bill Number/Enrolled Report |
Last Action |
Cap Metro |
Hegar/Cook |
06/17/2011 E Effective immediately |
|
Coastal Coordination Council |
Huffman/Bonnen |
05/20/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
DIR |
Cook/Nichols |
HB 2499 |
Vetoed by the Governor – modified version added to SB 1 (SS) |
Emergency Communications |
Anchia/Whitmire |
06/17/2011 E Effective immediately |
|
ERCOT, PUC, OPUC |
Nichols |
SB 661 |
Bill did not pass – Agency will be reviewed again in 2013 (SB 652) |
Forest Service |
Nichols/Cook |
05/12/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Hearing Instruments |
Nichols/Anchia |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Housing & Community Affairs |
Harper-Brown |
HB 2608 |
Vetoed by the Governor – modified version added to SB 1 (SS) |
Injured Employee Counsel |
Taylor |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
OPIC |
Hegar |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Public Finance Authority |
Bonnen |
06/17/2011 E Effective immediately |
|
Racing Commission |
Anchia |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Railroad Commission |
Hegar |
SB 655 |
Bill did not pass – Agency will be reviewed again in 2013 (SB 652) |
Schedule Bill |
Hegar |
06/17/2011 E Effective immediately |
|
Soil & Water Conservation |
Cook |
05/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Speech-Language Pathology & Audiology |
Nichols |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
*TCEQ/ On-site Waste Water |
Smith, Wayne |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
*TDI |
Taylor |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
TJPC/TYC |
Whitmire |
05/19/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11; with exception |
|
*TWDB |
Hinojosa |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
Tx State Affordable Housing Corp. |
Harper-Brown |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
|
*TXDOT |
Hinojosa |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11; with exception |
|
Workers’ Comp |
Taylor |
06/17/2011 E Effective on 9/1/11 |
The Department of Information Resources (DIR) Sunset bill (HB 2499) of the 82nd Regular Session would have continued DIR for through 2017 and, among other provisions, would have transferred DIR procurement abilities to the Comptroller of Public Accounts, but was vetoed by the Governor on June 17, 2011. Language concerning DIR was added to SB 1 (82nd Special Session) in conference and does not transfer purchasing abilities to the Comptroller, but provides that the Board of DIR must by rule establish approval requirements for all contracts and that DIR shall negotiate with vendors to obtain the best value for the state in the purchase of commodity items. Additionally, SB 1 continues DIR operations through September 1, 2013, clarifies appropriate expenditures of revenue derived from the collection of fees imposed by DIR, and exempts a database or network managed by the Department of Agriculture from the Statewide Technology Center managed by DIR.
The original Sunset bill (HB 2608) of the Regular 82nd Session for the Department of Housing & Community Affairs (TDHCA) would have continued the Department through 2023 but was vetoed by the Governor on June 17, 2011. Language concerning TDHCA was added to SB 1 (82nd Special Session) in conference and does not contain most provisions of HB 2608 related to general operations and disaster management planning. SB 1 continues TDHCA through September 1, 2013 and contains certain language from provisions in HB 2608 related to the housing trust fund program and the allocation of low income housing tax credits, manufactured housing license qualifications, and the third-party installation inspection program to be established.
Next Steps:
In addition to the agencies listed above, the following agencies are scheduled for Sunset review during the 2012 – 2013 biennium for a total of 23 Reviews:
Architectural Examiners, Texas Board of
Arts, Texas Commission on the
Criminal Justice, Texas Board and Department of
Education Agency, Texas
Engineers, Texas Board of Professional
Ethics Commission, Texas
Facilities Commission, Texas
Fire Fighters’ Pension Commissioner, Office of
Higher Education Coordinating Board, Texas
Housing and Community Affairs, Texas Department of*
Information Resources, Department of
Judicial Conduct, State Commission on
Lottery Commission, Texas
Pardons and Paroles, Board of
Pension Review Board, State
Port of Houston Authority
Preservation Board, State
Procurement and Support Services Division of the Comptroller of Public Accounts*
Public Utility Commission of Texas*
Railroad Commission of Texas
Self-Directed Semi-Independent Agency Project Act
State Employee Charitable Campaign Policy Committee
Windham School District within Texas Department of Criminal Justice*
* Subject to a limited scope or special purpose review.