Texas Senate Passes DOGE Bill to Cut Regulations

The Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 14, legislation aimed at reducing the regulatory burden on businesses and taxpayers. Authored by Senator Phil King (R), the bill seeks to address Texas’s high ranking as the fifth state in the nation for the total number of rules and regulations. SB 14 proposes the creation of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office, tasked with reviewing and eliminating unnecessary regulations to streamline the state's regulatory processes.

The new office would be responsible for identifying inefficiencies, recommending changes, and improving the rulemaking process. Additionally, SB 14 calls for the formation of the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Advisory Panel, which would guide the office on how to improve the efficiency of state agencies’ regulatory processes and identify ineffective or unnecessary regulations. The panel’s input would ensure that regulatory reforms are both practical and beneficial to Texas businesses.

A key element of SB 14 is improving public access to regulatory information. The bill envisions a user-friendly platform to help business owners easily navigate and comply with state rules, increasing transparency and reducing confusion within Texas’s complex regulatory environment.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, who made SB 14 one of his top legislative priorities, expressed strong support for the bill. In a statement, he emphasized the potential economic benefits of cutting red tape and streamlining regulations.

“The Texas economy is the envy of America and the world,” Patrick said. “Texans understand that by cutting red tape, more money stays in the pockets of taxpayers. When Texans save money, the private sector is unleashed, Texans start small businesses, jobs are created, and our economy grows.”

Lt. Gov. Patrick also explained the inspiration behind the bill, citing former President Donald Trump’s creation of the "Department of Government Efficiency" (DOGE).

“I prioritized SB 14 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,” Patrick said. “The Texas Miracle will continue long into the 21st century because our common sense, conservative approach to regulation will keep Texans prosperous and our economy strong.”

SB 14 now heads to the Texas House for further review. If passed into law, it could transform Texas's regulatory landscape, particularly for small businesses. By reducing regulatory barriers, the bill aims to foster more entrepreneurial activity, create jobs, and support the continued growth of the Texas economy.