Ahead of the 89th Legislative Session next year, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick has announced his appointments to the Sunset Advisory Commission.
“The Sunset Advisory Commission’s job is to make sure that Texas state government remains as lean, effective, and efficient as possible,” said Patrick. “I have complete confidence in these appointees, and I know they will ensure that our state agencies remain productive in both planning and execution but, most importantly, that they remain accountable to the legislature and the people of Texas.”
The lieutenant governor, as president of the Senate, and the Speaker of the House each appoint five members from their respective chamber to the commission, as well as one member from the public each.
Patrick appointed State Sens. Tan Parker (R-Flower Mound), Cesar Blanco (D-El Paso), Mayes Middleton (R-Galveston), and Kevin Sparks (R-Midland) to the commission.
He has also appointed Roger Elswick as a public member of the commission:
Roger Elswick, of Houston, is the president and owner of Elswick Automotive in Baytown. He previously served as the divisional vice president of Sonic Automotive in Houston. He is a board member of the National Automobile Dealers Association and is the former director of the Texas Automobile Dealers Association. He also serves as a board member of the Baytown Chamber of Commerce. Elswick received his bachelor’s degree in business administration in accounting from Marshall University.
The state agencies up for review this upcoming legislative session are the Texas Ethics Commission, Texas Lottery Commission, Texas Real Estate Commission, Department of Information Resources, as well as the Texas Department of Criminal Justice’s Correctional Managed Health Care Committee, Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Windham School District.
The Angelina and Neches River Authority, Lower Neches Valley Authority, Sabine River Authority of Texas, and the Trinity River Authority of Texas are also up for review.
These state agencies are scheduled to be abolished by the Texas Sunset Act unless extended by the legislature. The commissioners will report to the legislature with recommendations on whether each agency shall continue and, if so, they will provide recommendations for improvement.
