GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 4. EXECUTIVE BRANCH

SUBTITLE E. OTHER EXECUTIVE AGENCIES AND PROGRAMS

CHAPTER 465.  REGULATORY AND RULEMAKING EFFICIENCY

SUBCHAPTER A.  GENERAL PROVISIONS

Sec. 465.0001.  DEFINITIONS.  (a)  The definitions in Chapter 2001 apply to this chapter.
(b)  In this chapter:
(1)  "Institution of higher education" has the meaning assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code.
(2)  "Office" means the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office.
(3)  "Panel" means the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Advisory Panel.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER B.  TEXAS REGULATORY EFFICIENCY OFFICE

Sec. 465.0051.  ESTABLISHMENT OF OFFICE.  The Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office is established as an office within the office of the governor.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0052.  PURPOSES OF OFFICE.  (a)  The office is established to:
(1)  identify and expand opportunities for implementing efficiencies in:
(A)  the process by which state agencies adopt rules;
(B)  the regulatory review process; and
(C)  the processes by which contested cases are conducted;
(2)  assist state agencies in identifying:
(A)  unnecessary and ineffective rules;
(B)  the effect and cost to this state and regulated persons of the agencies' rules and proposed rules; and
(C)  opportunities to repeal or amend rules to provide effective protection to the public with the least cost and inconvenience to regulated persons;
(3)  coordinate with the secretary of state, the Department of Information Resources, and other state agencies in the secretary of state's efforts under Section 2001.007 to:
(A)  improve public access to information regarding state agency rules, forms, and filings; and
(B)  create an interactive Internet website for use by the public to search and obtain information regarding rules, forms, and filings applicable to specific regulated occupations, industries, professions, and activities;
(4)  coordinate with state agencies to reduce rules or other regulatory requirements, including by:
(A)  eliminating unnecessary or ineffective rules or other regulatory requirements; and
(B)  reducing the inefficiencies resulting from rules or other regulatory requirements adopted by the agency by:
(i)  reducing required training hours while protecting the health and safety of the residents of this state;
(ii)  reducing the number of forms a regulated person is required to complete;
(iii)  reducing the amount of information required by forms that a regulated person is required to complete;
(iv)  reducing the amount of or eliminating fees imposed by the rules;
(v)  reducing the number of activities covered by the rules; or
(vi)  creating waivers for or exemptions from the rules under certain circumstances; and
(5)  prepare and publish written manuals, guides, or other publications as required by this chapter.
(b)  The office shall coordinate with the panel, state agencies, and the governor's office, as applicable, to accomplish the purposes of the office.
(c)  Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, the office may not recommend the repeal of a rule the purpose of which is to inform members of the public about the rulemaking process or facilitate participation in that process by members of the public.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0053.  REGULATORY ECONOMIC ANALYSIS MANUAL.  (a)  The office shall prepare and publish a regulatory economic analysis manual.
(b)  The manual required by Subsection (a) must identify and describe best practices for state agencies related to:
(1)  preparing a local employment impact statement under Section 2001.022;
(2)  conducting a regulatory analysis under Section 2001.0225;
(3)  preparing a fiscal note under Section 2001.024;
(4)  preparing a note regarding public benefits and costs under Section 2001.024; and
(5)  preparing an economic impact statement under Section 2006.002.
(c)  The office shall ensure that the manual required by Subsection (a) is written in plain language that may be easily understood by the public.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0054.  REGULATORY REDUCTION GUIDE.  (a)  The office shall prepare and publish a regulatory reduction guide.
(b)  The purpose of the guide required by Subsection (a) is to assist each state agency to:
(1)  reduce rules and other regulatory requirements under Section 465.0052(a)(4); and
(2)  document the agency's results under Subdivision (1).
(c)  The office shall ensure that the guide required by Subsection (a) is written in plain language that may be easily understood by the public.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0055.  RULEMAKING AND REGULATORY EFFICIENCY FORUM.  The office may establish, as needed, a forum for interested persons described by Section 2001.021(d) to assist the office and the panel to accomplish the purposes of the office and panel.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER C.  TEXAS REGULATORY EFFICIENCY ADVISORY PANEL

Sec. 465.0101.  ESTABLISHMENT OF ADVISORY PANEL.  The office may establish, as needed, the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Advisory Panel to serve as an advisory panel to the governor's office, including the office established under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0102.  ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT.  The office established under this chapter shall provide staff, facilities, and other administrative support necessary to assist the panel in performing the panel's duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0103.  COMPOSITION OF PANEL.  In designating individuals to serve on the panel, the governor may give priority to individuals with expertise in state agency rules and the rulemaking process, including expertise in regulatory research, compliance, cost, and impact analysis, and related law and procedure.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0104.  REIMBURSEMENT FOR EXPENSES.  Members of the panel serve without compensation but may, at the discretion of the office, be reimbursed for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing official duties under this chapter.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0105.  PRESIDING OFFICER.  The governor may designate one member of the panel to serve as the panel's presiding officer.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0106.  MEETINGS.  The panel shall meet at the call of the panel's presiding officer.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0107.  PURPOSES OF PANEL.  The panel is established to:
(1)  use the knowledge and expertise of regulated persons, small and large businesses, institutions of higher education, and state agencies to identify and expand opportunities for implementing efficiencies in:
(A)  the process by which state agencies adopt rules;
(B)  the regulatory review process; and
(C)  the processes by which contested cases are conducted; and
(2)  assist the office and state agencies in identifying:
(A)  unnecessary and ineffective rules;
(B)  the effect and cost to this state and regulated persons of the agencies' rules and proposed rules; and
(C)  opportunities to repeal or amend rules to provide effective protection to the public with the least cost and inconvenience to regulated persons.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

Sec. 465.0108.  APPLICATION OF OTHER LAW.  Chapter 2110 does not apply to the panel.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.

SUBCHAPTER D.  REPORTING REQUIREMENT

Sec. 465.0151.  BIENNIAL REPORT.  (a)  Not later than December 1 of each even-numbered year, the office shall prepare and submit to the governor, lieutenant governor, speaker of the house of representatives, and Legislative Budget Board a written report that describes:
(1)  the activities undertaken by the office during the two-year period preceding the date of the report to accomplish the purposes of the office; and
(2)  any legislative recommendations of the office to accomplish and further the activities described by Subdivision (1).
(b)  The panel may assist the office in preparing the report required by Subsection (a).
(c)  The office shall post the biennial report on a publicly accessible Internet website in an easily identifiable and accessible location.
Added by Acts 2025, 89th Leg., R.S., Ch. 1 (S.B. 14), Sec. 2, eff. September 1, 2025.