State Agencies Undergo Sunset Review Process, Part I
To identify and eliminate government waste, duplication and general inefficiencies in state agencies, the Texas Legislature established the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission (Commission) in 1977. The Texas Sunset Advisory Commission is a legislative body which is made up of six Texas Senate members and six Texas House of Representative members. The Commission is tasked with reviewing the policies and programs of more than 150 state agencies. The sunset review process is designed to review each of these agencies every twelve years. This review is done by taking up a certain number of the state agencies each session when the Texas Legislature convenes.
In reviewing the various agencies, the Commission examines the continual need for the agency. A review is made of duplication of policies or programs with other agencies. The review also looks at new and innovative ways to improve each agency’s operations and activities. During the sunset review process, the Commission holds public hearings and allows the public to provide their thoughts, ideas and general perception of the agency’s need. After each agency is reviewed, the Commission then recommends actions to the full Texas Legislature. In the coming weeks, I’d like to take some time to highlight a few of the many agencies currently undergoing Sunset Review.
One of the agencies currently in the sunset review process is the Texas Historical Commission (THC). The THC was established by the Texas Legislature in 1953 with the task to identify and preserve important historic sites across the state. One of the many programs put on by the THC is the Texas Heritage Trails Program, which combines historic preservation and tourism. These local preservation efforts, combined with statewide marketing of heritage regions as tourism destinations, increase visitation to cultural and historic sites and bring more dollars to Texas communities, especially rural ones. One historical site promoted by the THC is the Fulton Mansion, located in Rockport-Fulton. The Fulton Mansion was built in 1877 and has survived 8 hurricanes, most recently Hurricane Harvey, thanks to the THC.
The THC also administers the state’s historical marker program. Currently, there are over 16,000 historical markers across the state. These markers provide important information and context for the many monuments and buildings throughout Texas. The THC accepts applications for historical markers each fall for the following calendar year. The next application period is from September 1 through November 15, 2018 for 2019 markers. If you believe there is a site in our area that deserves to be a state historical marker, I encourage you to submit an application, which can be found at the Texas Historical Commission.
Over the coming weeks, I would like to outline and present to you other state agencies currently undergoing the sunset review process. If you would like to learn more on your own about the Sunset Advisory Commission or other agencies undergoing the sunset review process, you can go to the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.
If you have any questions regarding the Texas Historical Commission or the sunset review process, please don’t hesitate to contact either my Capitol or District office. My offices are available at any time to assist with questions, concerns or comments (Capitol Office, 512-463-0672; District Office, 361-949-4603).
– State Representative Todd Hunter, District 32
Rep. Hunter represents Aransas, Calhoun, Nueces (Part) and San Patricio Counties. He can be contacted at todd.hunter@house.texas.gov or at 512-463-0672.
