Sunset

July 14, 2011

Below is a list of Sunset legislation from the 82^nd 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 1^st Called Special Session of the 82^nd Legislature. (*indicates further detail on the bill is available under the appropriate section.)

The Department of Information Resources (DIR) Sunset bill (HB 2499) of the 82^nd 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 (82^nd 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 82^nd 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 (82^nd 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.