Texas Racing Commission

Previous Sunset reports on this agency

  • Next Review Date: 2028-2029 Review Cycle - 91st Legislative Session

  • Last Review Cycle: 2020-2021 Review Cycle - 87th Legislative Session

Sunset Documents for 2020-2021 Review Cycle, 87th Legislative Session

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Legislative Documents

Final Results of Last Sunset Review

Senate Bill 704, the bill containing the Sunset Commission’s statutory recommendations for the Texas Racing Commission, did not pass during the 87th Legislature. Instead, the Legislature passed Senate Bill 713, which continues the commission until 2027. Senate Bill 713 also requires the commission to replace certain employees by December 1, 2021. Although the statutory recommendations for the commission did not pass, the Sunset Commission adopted four nonstatutory management actions relating to licensing and enforcement the commission should implement over the next two years. While the Legislature did not pass legislation transferring the Texas Racing Commission to the comptroller or any other agency, the commission should consider implementing the grants administration management actions but is not required to do so.

Continue
  • Continue the Texas Racing Commission for six years, until 2027. 
Governance 
  • Require the Texas Racing Commission to replace all employees employed on August 31, 2021, who are in an exempt position or in salary group B27 or higher by December 1, 2021. 
Licensing and Enforcement 
  • Direct the commission to establish policies for uniform use of its reciprocity authority. (Management action – nonstatutory)
  • Direct the commission to establish and consistently apply policies for testing certain licensure applicants. (Management action – nonstatutory)
  • Direct the commission to remove potential barriers to licensing in its examination process. (Management action – nonstatutory)
  • Direct the commission to adopt policies to improve racetrack inspections. (Management action – nonstatutory)
Grants Administration
  • Direct the Comptroller of Public Accounts to develop and publish guidelines for evaluating grant applications. (Management action – nonstatutory)
  • Direct the Comptroller of Public Accounts to develop processes for monitoring grant recipients and tracking performance measures. (Management action – nonstatutory)
  • Direct the Comptroller of Public Accounts to develop and implement a consistent timeline for grant applications. (Management action – nonstatutory)