Watching Sunset
By Kyle Kamrath, TAA Government Affairs Specialist
The Texas Legislature created the Sunset Advisory Commission in 1977 to identify and eliminate waste and inefficiency in government agencies and programs. The 12-member commission meets every interim between legislative sessions and recently held its initial organizational meeting on January 10.
Looking ahead at this year’s review, the major agency up for Sunset that affects the multifamily housing industry is the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA).
It should be noted that the agency went through the Sunset process during the last legislative cycle. In addition to continuing TDHCA for 10 years, the commission made specific recommendations including: resizing the department’s governing board, establishing a series of advisory committees and creating a process for appealing board decisions.
However, the agency’s Sunset bill was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry after he expressed concerns that certain aspects of the bill would result in delaying assistance to communities following a disaster. Subsequently, the governor directed the legislature to pass legislation during the special session last year continuing TDHCA.
TDHCA’s review this cycle will be much more limited in scope. However, TAA is mindful of how various issues, including disaster housing, affect both the industry and TDHCA and could potentially be included in the commission’s review. As such, TAA will continue to monitor the Sunset process and report back on major developments. Under the Sunset Commission’s meeting schedule, public testimony on Sunset staff recommendations will be given on September 4, and the commission will make decisions on those recommendations on November 13.
If you would like more information about the commission, the Sunset process or the agencies currently up for review, please visit www.sunset.state.tx.us.
It should be noted that the agency went through the Sunset process during the last legislative cycle. In addition to continuing TDHCA for 10 years, the commission made specific recommendations including: resizing the department’s governing board, establishing a series of advisory committees and creating a process for appealing board decisions. However, the agency’s Sunset bill was vetoed by Gov. Rick Perry after he expressed concerns that certain aspects of the bill would result in delaying assistance to communities following a disaster. Subsequently, the governor directed the legislature to pass legislation during the special session last year continuing TDHCA.
TDHCA’s review this cycle will be much more limited in scope. However, TAA is mindful of how various issues, including disaster housing, affect both the industry and TDHCA and could potentially be included in the commission’s review. As such, TAA will continue to monitor the Sunset process and report back on major developments. Under the Sunset Commission’s meeting schedule, public testimony on Sunset staff recommendations will be given on September 4, and the commission will make decisions on those recommendations on November 13.
If you would like more information about the commission, the Sunset process or the agencies currently up for review, please visit www.sunset.state.tx.us.
