Texas Senate Passes DOGE Bill To Streamline Regulations

Texas takes a bold step toward cutting bureaucracy with the passage of Senate Bill 14, creating a new office modeled after President Trump’s efficiency efforts.

Key Takeaways

Texas Senate passes SB14 to establish the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office aimed at streamlining regulations and reducing government size
The initiative mirrors President Donald Trump’s federal Department of Government Efficiency
A diverse advisory panel will guide implementation, including members from regulated businesses, higher education, and state agencies
The bill promises transparency through biennial reports and a public-facing interactive website
SB14 now moves to the Texas House of Representatives for further consideration

Texas Senate Takes Action Against Regulatory Overreach

The Texas Senate has approved Senate Bill 14, legislation designed to dramatically reform how state agencies adopt rules and impose regulatory requirements on Texas businesses and citizens. The bill establishes the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, informally known as the DOGE bill, which aims to identify and eliminate unnecessary regulations while streamlining government operations. This ambitious initiative represents a significant effort to reduce bureaucratic red tape that has accumulated over decades in the Lone Star State.

The legislation addresses several critical regulatory issues, including the long-standing practice of courts deferring to state agencies’ interpretations of laws and rules in judicial proceedings. By reforming this process, SB14 seeks to restore balance between government agencies and the citizens they serve, ensuring that regulatory authority doesn’t extend beyond legislative intent. The bill is categorized under multiple subject areas including Business & Commerce, Courts, Governor, State Agencies’ Rules, and the Regulatory Reform & Efficiency Act.

Trump-Inspired Model for Government Efficiency

SB14 draws direct inspiration from President Donald Trump’s federal Department of Government Efficiency initiative. The Texas version follows a similar structural approach, establishing an office dedicated to identifying regulations that hamper economic growth or create unnecessary burdens on businesses and individuals. This alignment with federal efforts signals Texas’ commitment to conservative governance principles that prioritize limited government and economic freedom.

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has expressed strong support for the bill, emphasizing its potential to save money for both taxpayers and businesses. The initiative is particularly focused on boosting small business growth by reducing compliance costs and administrative hurdles that disproportionately impact smaller enterprises. The streamlined regulatory environment is expected to make Texas even more attractive for business investment and job creation.

The Texas Senate passed legislation Wednesday that would essentially create an efficiency office similar to the recently created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). https://t.co/fkbAorfDnT

— Spectrum News 1 Texas (@SpectrumNews1TX) March 27, 2025

Diverse Advisory Panel to Guide Implementation

A key component of SB14 is the establishment of a regulatory efficiency advisory panel tasked with providing guidance to both the governor’s office and the new Efficiency Office. The panel will draw expertise from multiple sectors to ensure balanced perspectives on regulatory reform. Members will include representatives from regulated businesses, the public, occupational license holders, higher education institutions, and state agencies themselves.

This diverse composition is designed to prevent the office from being captured by any single interest group while ensuring practical, real-world knowledge informs the regulatory review process. The panel will help identify outdated, duplicative, or unnecessarily burdensome regulations across state government while proposing alternatives that maintain necessary protections with minimal economic impact.

Transparency and Accountability Measures

SB14 includes several provisions aimed at ensuring the new office operates with transparency and remains accountable to both elected officials and the public. The legislation requires the Efficiency Office to submit detailed biennial reports to the governor and the Legislative Budget Board, documenting progress on regulatory reform efforts, cost savings achieved, and recommendations for further improvements to the regulatory framework.

Additionally, the bill calls for the development of an interactive website that will provide public access to comprehensive regulatory information. This digital platform will allow citizens and businesses to better understand existing regulations, track proposed changes, and provide feedback on regulatory burdens they encounter. This emphasis on transparency aligns with conservative values of government accountability and citizen engagement.

Next Steps in Legislative Process

With Senate approval secured, SB14 now advances to the Texas House of Representatives where it will undergo committee review before potential consideration by the full chamber. The bill is part of the 2025-2026 89th Legislature’s agenda and shares similarities with House Bill 10, which addresses related regulatory reform issues. Given Texas’ Republican majority in both chambers and the alignment with federal efficiency initiatives, the legislation appears well-positioned for eventual passage.

If enacted, the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office would represent one of the most comprehensive state-level efforts to systematically review and streamline government regulations. The initiative reflects growing concern among conservative lawmakers about regulatory accumulation and its impact on economic growth, individual liberty, and the proper constitutional relationship between government and citizens.