TCEQ Sunset Review Schedule At-A-Glance
December 2009:
TCEQ “Self-Evaluation Report” to the Sunset Commission
This report is available on-line and includes detailed information about TCEQ as well as recommendations from TCEQ to the Legislature. To read the full report click here.
April-November 2010:
Public Comments Accepted
Sunset Commissioners and staff accept public comments in person as well as via phone, fax, email and “snail mail.” The Sunset Commission website includes contact information for the lead staff member on each agency evaluation. Public input can include concrete recommendations regarding specific agency functions or broader comments about an agency’s mission. The public is also free to raise concerns about laws and policies that are related to the agency, even though the scope of the Sunset Commission staff report may not include all the policy issues the public raises. ACT and its member groups are encouraging Texans to engage in two special opportunities for comment: a series of townhall meetings in local communities around the state and a postcard campaign including both physical postcards and an internet sign-on option. Find out more about the meetings and postcard campaign by clicking here.
November 2010:
Sunset Staff Report
This report will be available on-line as soon as it is completed, probably around November 1. During the month following the release of the staff report, Sunset staff will accept formal written comments on the report to be included in a packet of information that goes to all the Sunset commissioners.
December 15, 2010:
Public Hearing on Sunset Staff Report
This is the big opportunity for members of the public to present formal testimony to the Sunset Commission. Anyone who wants to can attend the public hearing and present testimony. ACT and its member groups will help to coordinate travel, lodging and logistics for individuals outside Austin who want to present public testimony a the public hearing.
January 11, 2011:
Decision Meeting
At this meeting, the Sunset Commissioners will adopt official recommendations—they might recommend only a few minor changes to TCEQ, or they could recommend major changes, up to and including reconfiguring, renaming or abolishing the agency. There is no public testimony taken at the decision hearing, but following the adoption of the Commission’s recommendations the public can comment on the recommendations to the Commission and other lawmakers.
January-June 2011:
The Sunset Bill
For each agency undergoing sunset review, there is an official “sunset bill” that must pass for the agency to continue its existence. Members of the Sunset Commission divide up the responsibility for carrying the bills, so there is no way to know yet which legislators will be the official bill sponsors. ACT and its member groups are planning multiple education and advocacy activities to help ensure a strong TCEQ sunset bill, including two lobby days during the legislative session.
ACT LOBBY DAYS ARE SCHEDULED FOR MARCH 15 AND APRIL 19, 2011.
