S.B. No. 14, the Regulatory Reform and Efficiency Act, seeks to improve the efficiency of state agencies in rule adoption and regulatory processes by establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office within the governor's office. This office will focus on identifying opportunities for enhancing the rule adoption process, reviewing regulations, and streamlining contested case procedures. It will also assist agencies in eliminating unnecessary rules and evaluating the costs and impacts of existing regulations. Key provisions include the requirement for proposed rules to include a plain language explanation and a request for information on their costs and benefits, as well as the preparation of a regulatory economic analysis manual and a regulatory reduction guide.

The bill amends the Government Code to enhance the clarity and accessibility of proposed rules, introducing a new definition of "plain language" to ensure comprehensibility for the general public. It modifies procedural requirements for contesting agency rules, making them voidable unless adopted in substantial compliance with specified sections, and allows courts to remand rules for revision if they find noncompliance. Additionally, the bill clarifies that courts are not required to defer to state agencies' legal determinations, enabling de novo review of legal questions. Certain existing provisions are repealed, and the new rules will apply only to actions initiated after the bill's effective date, which will be immediate upon a two-thirds vote or on September 1, 2025, if not achieved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 2001.007, Government Code 2001.024, Government Code 2001.035, Government Code 2001.040, Government Code 2001.022 (Government Code 2001)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 2001.007, Government Code 2001.024, Government Code 2001.035, Government Code 2001.040, Government Code 2001.022 (Government Code 2001)
Engrossed: Government Code 2001.007, Government Code 2001.024, Government Code 2001.035, Government Code 2001.040, Government Code 2001.022 (Government Code 2001)
House Committee Report: Government Code 2001.007, Government Code 2001.024, Government Code 2001.035, Government Code 2001.040, Government Code 2001.022 (Government Code 2001)
Enrolled: Government Code 2001.007, Government Code 2001.024, Government Code 2001.035, Government Code 2001.040, Government Code 2001.022 (Government Code 2001)