Texas Governor Greg Abbott has signed Senate Bill 14 into law, creating the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office—dubbed “Texas DOGE”—to streamline state regulations and reduce bureaucratic burdens.
At a Glance
- Texas DOGE established within the Governor’s Office
- Aims to eliminate outdated and duplicative regulations
- Mandates plain-language rulemaking and increased public access
- Removes judicial deference to agency interpretations
A New Era of Regulatory Reform
On April 23, Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill 14, officially establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office, commonly referred to as “Texas DOGE.” This office is modeled after the federal Department of Government Efficiency and is tasked with identifying and eliminating unnecessary state regulations. The initiative aims to make government operations more efficient and less costly for Texans, as reported by the Office of the Texas Governor.
The office will be supported by up to 18 full-time staff members and guided by an advisory panel appointed by the governor. Its responsibilities include reviewing existing regulations, assisting agencies in streamlining processes, and enhancing public access to regulatory information through an interactive online platform, according to the Texas Tribune.
Watch the Governor’s full bill signing at Abbott signs government efficiency law – DOGE, Texas style.
Legislative Support and Business Backing
Senate Bill 14 passed both legislative chambers with bipartisan supermajorities, signaling broad support for regulatory reform. Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick and House Speaker Dustin Burrows joined Governor Abbott at the signing ceremony, emphasizing the law’s potential to boost Texas’s economic competitiveness, as outlined by the Governor’s Office.
Business leaders have also praised the creation of Texas DOGE. Glenn Hamer, President and CEO of the Texas Association of Business, said the office delivers on long-standing recommendations to cut duplicative regulations and modernize outdated processes—key changes that could ease burdens on small businesses, according to the Texas Association of Business.
Controversy and Concerns
Despite broad support, critics argue that the creation of Texas DOGE may ironically expand government oversight. State Representative Brian Harrison warned that the bill could “increase spending and grow bureaucracy,” which runs counter to its stated purpose. These concerns were highlighted in coverage by the Texas Tribune.
The law also ends judicial deference to agency interpretations of law—shifting interpretative power from state agencies to the courts. While this aligns with recent federal deregulatory trends, some worry it could complicate enforcement and oversight, as analyzed by Reform Austin.
Broader Implications
Texas joins a growing list of states—including Kentucky, Iowa, and Oklahoma—adopting DOGE-style government reforms aimed at slashing red tape. Advocates hope Texas DOGE can serve as a national model, but its rollout will be closely watched to ensure it meets its lofty efficiency goals without triggering bureaucratic creep, according to Reform Austin.
