Texas Plans Own New D.O.G.E. Agency to Cut Waste

(Mix 93-1)  Several hours after taking the Oath of Office on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed 26 executive orders that have made some sweeping changes to the US government.

Among those was the creation of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), with Elon Musk being appointed to head up the new department. The department's task is to cut federal spending deemed as waste, fraud, and abuse.

It is also tasked with modernizing federal technology and enhancing efficiency with the ultimate goal of saving one trillion dollars.

Since its inception, more than 100,000 federal employees have been laid off, wasteful government contracts have been cancelled, major changes have been made throughout all government agencies, and some have even been closed. DOGE says it has saved taxpayers $155 billion so far.

A Texas DOGE-like office could be established

Texas lawmakers are looking to do something similar by establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office through the signing of SB 14. The bill is currently being sent to Governor Gregg Abbott's desk after passing in the Texas Senate and House.

READ MORE --> 25 big chnages to Texas laws in 2025

In addition to streamlining and improving Texas agencies, the new Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office would also enforce state regulations. The department would be a branch of the governor's office with a newly created advisory panel to oversee reform.

What is the Texas DOGE?

Here's a breakdown of the key components from KHOU:

• Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office: Establishes this office within the governor's office. The office will focus on identifying and implementing efficiencies in the rule-making process, helping agencies identify unnecessary rules, and coordinating with other state entities to improve public access to information about state regulations.

• Regulatory reduction goals: Set goals for state agencies to reduce the number of rules and other regulatory requirements. This includes eliminating unnecessary rules, reducing training hours, simplifying forms, reducing fees, and creating waivers or exemptions.

• Regulatory efficiency advisory panel: This panel is to advise the governor's office and the new Efficiency Office. The panel will consist of members representing regulated businesses (both large and small), the public, occupational license holders, higher education and state agencies. They will use their expertise to identify and expand opportunities for regulatory efficiency.

• Regulatory manuals and guides: Requires the Efficiency Office to create a regulatory economic analysis manual and a regulatory reduction guide to assist agencies in their efforts.

• Improved public access: Mandates coordination to establish an interactive website allowing people to search state agency rules and related information by topic, activity or NAICS code.

• Reporting requirements: The Efficiency Office must submit a biennial report to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board, detailing its activities, findings, and recommendations.

Get our free mobile app

The bill will be on the governor's desk soon, and he has yet to comment whether or not he'll sign SB 14.