Houston Daily

Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 14, known as Texas DOGE, into law at the Texas Capitol in Austin. This legislation, passed during the 89th Regular Legislative Session, is designed to enhance efficiency within the Texas government and reduce its impact on citizens.

"We are putting at the forefront of legislation the shaping, formation, and recalibration of government in the State of Texas to make it more responsive and more efficient," stated Governor Abbott. He explained that the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office will work to slash regulations, impose stricter standards on new regulations that could burden businesses, and curb the growth of the administrative state.

Governor Abbott was accompanied by several key figures during the bill signing ceremony, including Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Speaker Dustin Burrows, Senator Phil King, and Representative Giovanni Capriglione. Business leaders such as Jeff Burdett, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, were also in attendance.

Lieutenant Governor Patrick remarked, “Texas DOGE will ensure the Texas Miracle continues long into the 21st century,” highlighting the belief that reducing red tape will benefit taxpayers. Speaker Burrows echoed this sentiment, praising the new law as a major step towards government efficiency and economic opportunity.

Senator King noted that the bill targets outdated regulations that hinder economic growth: “Many of our state rules and regulations are outdated and unnecessarily burdensome, creating barriers to continued economic growth."

Representative Capriglione emphasized the bill's focus on efficiency and fiscal savings, articulating that the enactment of Senate Bill 14 aims to enhance government functionality and save taxpayer money.

Business representative Glenn Hamer lauded the bill as monumental for small businesses, aligning with the recommendations of the Small Business Freedom Council. "Texas is already the best state for business—but to stay on top, we must continuously improve how government works for entrepreneurs," Hamer stated.

Senate Bill 14, sponsored by King and Capriglione, establishes the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office to identify and remove unnecessary regulations within state agencies and foster best practices to alleviate regulatory burdens on Texans.