March 13th, 2026
Historical Information:
The Sunset Advisory Commission was established by the Texas Legislature in 1977 to improve government efficiency, effectiveness, and accountability. It serves as a periodic review mechanism to evaluate the continued need for state agencies and, when necessary, to reform or abolish agencies that are outdated, redundant, or inefficient.
The Sunset Advisory Commission is named after the “sunset” clause in legislation, which sets an automatic expiration or termination date for state agencies. The commission reviews agencies every 12 years to decide if their “sun has set” (if they are still needed), recommending whether to continue, consolidate, or abolish them.
- Origin: The concept originated in Colorado in 1976 and was adopted by Texas in 1977 to combat inefficiency and redundant government agencies.
- The “Sunset” Concept: It implies a metaphorical sunset—the end of an agency’s life—unless the Legislature passes a bill to continue it.
The previous Sunset Advisory Commission Final Report for DADS (Department of Aging and Disabilities) was last completed in 2015, before the transfer of functions of DADS and DARS to HHSC (Health & Human Services Commission). The previous self-evaluation of DADS was completed in 2013.
New Information:
Sunset Documents for 2026-2027 Review Cycle, 90th Legislative Session: Self-Evaluation Report For HHSC 2025
Link to the main page on HHSC Sunset Commission Reviews
Important Note: Sunset staff reports are updated throughout the process to compile all input, recommendations, and action into one document. Only the most recent version is posted to the website.
From the website:
- The Sunset Staff Report contains statutory and management recommendations following the staff’s evaluation of the agency.
- The Sunset Staff Report with Commission Decisions, issued after the decision meeting, adds the final decisions of the Sunset Commission, which form the basis of the agency’s Sunset bill.
- The Sunset Staff Report with Final Results summarizes the ultimate results of the agency’s Sunset review following the legislative session.
For a list of all agencies currently under review by the Sunset Advisory Commission, see the link below:
