In a move to enhance governmental efficiency, the state of Texas has introduced Senate Bill 14 (SB14), which aims to establish a Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office. This initiative is inspired by the federal Department of Government Efficiency, introduced by former President Donald Trump.

Objectives of the Regulatory Efficiency Office

If enacted, SB14 will focus on:

• Streamlining state regulations to enhance governmental efficiency.
• Reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens on businesses and taxpayers.
• Making significant cuts to the size of state government.

According to Texas Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, the creation of this office is crucial for improving financial outcomes for Texas residents. He remarked, “I prioritized SB14 because President Trump’s creation of the ‘Department of Government Efficiency’ inspired me to find ways Texas can save taxpayers and businesses money by cutting burdensome regulations.”

Key Features of the Bill

The proposed legislation will also establish a regulatory efficiency advisory panel, which will include representatives from various sectors, such as:

• Regulated businesses
• The general public
• Occupational license holders
• Higher education institutions
• State agencies

This panel will provide advice to both the governor’s office and the Efficiency Office to ensure a diverse range of perspectives in regulatory assessments.

Enhancing Public Access to Regulatory Information

Additionally, the bill seeks to improve transparency by creating an interactive website that will help the public access regulatory information. Users will be able to search for rules and agency information by various criteria, including topic, activity, or North American Industry Classification System (NAICS) code.

Accountability Measures

To maintain transparency and accountability, the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office will be required to submit a biennial report to both the governor and the Legislative Budget Board. This report will outline the office’s activities, findings, and recommendations.

Economic Impact

Lt. Gov. Patrick emphasized that the initiative is vital for Texas residents, asserting, “The Texas economy is the envy of America and the world. Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in the pockets of taxpayers.” This sentiment highlights the belief that reducing regulatory hurdles can foster private sector growth, job creation, and overall economic development.

Next Steps

Following its introduction, SB14 is set to be reviewed by the House committee before it can be voted on in the Texas House of Representatives, marking an important step toward potential implementation.