Press Items: Senator Lois Kolkhorst — District 18

(AUSTIN, TX) — Senator Lois W. Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) this week was named as the Chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission by Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick as he released a slate of new committee assignments for the interim. He re-appointed the Senator from Brenham as the Chair of Health and Human Services.

The Sunset Advisory Commission is a unique commission comprised of five state senators and five state representatives, plus two public members who are appointed to evaluate and review all state agencies, determining whether they are operating as efficiently as possible or need to be reformed, downsized, or eliminated. All 130-plus state agencies come before the commission on a rotational cycle. In the upcoming 90th Legislative Session, the Sunset Advisory Commission will review nine agencies, most notably the Health and Human Services Commission (HHSC), Department of State Health Services (DSHS), Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Texas Health Services Authority, Statewide Interagency Aging Services Coordinating Council, and Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities.

“It is an honor to be named chair of the Sunset Advisory Commission, as it is one of the most important and sought-after positions in the Legislature. I’m grateful for the confidence placed in me by the Lieutenant Governor,” said Senator Kolkhorst. “I look forward to working with my fellow lawmakers to carry out the Commission’s tedious work of ensuring state agencies remain accountable, efficient, and responsive to the people of Texas. Together, we will approach each agency review with diligence and a commitment to strengthening good governance across our state and making sure that the hard-earned tax dollars of the citizens are not wasted.”

As the Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, Kolkhorst said she is ready to tackle the first interim charge focusing on eradicating fraud. The committee will meet on April 8 to examine and propose new methods to prevent healthcare fraud and abuse within Texas, including but not limited to Medicaid and Child Care Services. Lt. Governor Patrick issued that charge in late February.

“I am grateful to continue in my role as Chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee. Through Medicaid and other safety net programs, we serve the most fragile and vulnerable in our state; it will be a focus in our committee work to ensure these programs are not being abused as we have seen in other states like Minnesota. Our first charge will focus on a deep dive into rooting out any kind of fraud and waste,” said Kolkhorst. “Similarly, with healthcare expenses and rising costs hitting every person’s pocketbook, my focus will aim at lowering health insurance costs while improving access and quality.”

Other Senate committee assignments for Senator Kolkhorst during the interim include Finance, Business and Commerce, Water, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Administration, and the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding, as well as the Senate Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education and the General Investigating Committee on the July 2025 Flooding Events.

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