DIR One of 12 State Agencies Undergoing Sunset Review

The Sunset Advisory Commission will review and assess 12 agencies including the Department of Information Resources (DIR) during this biennium, looking toward the 89th Legislature.

Texas established the process with the Texas Sunset Act in 1977 to monitor agency performance and to recommend agency abolishment or changes that improve efficiency and effectiveness, according to the commission website.

DIR submitted its sunset report at the end of August, and public input is welcome through February. The 428-page report takes a deep dive into DIR’s mission, goals, responsibilities and history, while summarizing recent statutory changes and appropriations.

The report lists three major issues facing DIR followed by a detailed discussion of each. They are:

• Outdated statutory language and conflicting compliance obligations
• Attracting and hiring talent
• Misunderstood function due to its name
  

Next steps in the sunset process are:

• Evaluation, including reviewing the agency self-evaluation, taking public input, identifying issues, developing recommendations and reporting, which will be published in May
• Deliberation, including public hearings and a vote on recommendations
• Legislative action, including drafting and filing the sunset bill, going through the legislative process and voting on the bill
• Finally, the agency continues with improvements, or the agency is abolished

The other 11 agencies undergoing review are:

• The Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ), as well as:
  
  • Board of Pardons and Paroles, under TDCJ
  • Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, under TDCJ
  • Windham School District, under TDCJ
• Texas Ethics Commission
• Texas Lottery Commission
• Texas Real Estate Commission
• Texas River Authorities:
  
  • Angelina and Neches River Authority
  • Lower Neches Valley Authority
  • Sabine River Authority of Texas
  • Trinity River Authority of Texas