Sunset laws are laws that require certain state government agencies and programs to be reviewed regularly by the state legislature. An agency or program is automatically abolished–that is, its sun will set–if it cannot be proven essential. Even if the agency or program is essential, it may be restructured.
Sunset laws were passed in an effort to eliminate unnecessary agencies and force others to become more efficient. Agencies that are authorized to continue are reviewed on a regular basis, such as every four or six years. A related budgeting technique, also aimed at controlling public spending, is called zero-base budgeting.
In 1976, Colorado, Florida, Louisiana, and Alabama, in that order, became the first states to adopt sunset laws. By the mid-1980’s, most states had passed some form of sunset legislation.
