LRL Home - General Information - State Agency Hotlines and Citizen Assistance
State agency hotlines and citizen assistance
This page provides frequently requested contact numbers and webpages for a number of state agencies. This is not a full list of agencies. For a complete list, visit the Texas State Library's Texas Records and Information Locator (TRAIL).
Aging & Seniors Top
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Dept. of Aging & Disability Services (DADS)
DADS was created to administer long-term services and supports for people who are aging and who have cognitive and physical disabilities. DADS also licenses and regulates providers of these services, and administers the state's guardianship program.
- Dept. of Assistive & Rehabilitative Services (DARS)
DARS' mission is to work in partnership with Texans with disabilities and families with children who have developmental delays to improve the quality of their lives and to enable their full participation in society.
- Services Information Hotline - (800) 628-5115
Children & Families Top
- Attorney General
The attorney general is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues.
- Texas Education Agency (TEA)
The mission of the TEA is to provide leadership, guidance, and resources to help schools meet the educational needs of all students.
- Texas Dept. of Family & Protective Services (DFPS)
The mission of the DFPS is to protect children, the elderly, and people with disabilities from abuse, neglect, and exploitation by involving clients, families and communities.
Consumer Protection & Tax Assistance Top
- Attorney General-Consumer Protection Center
The attorney general is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues.
- Comptroller of Public Accounts
The Comptroller is the chief steward of the state's finances, acting as tax collector, chief accountant, chief revenue estimator and chief treasurer for all of state government.
- Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
The mission of the OCCC is to regulate the credit industry and educate consumers and creditors, thereby producing a fair, lawful, and healthy credit environment for social and economic prosperity in Texas.
- Texas Dept. of Insurance (TDI)
The TDI's mission is to protect insurance consumers by regulating the insurance industry fairly and diligently; promoting a stable and competitive market; and providing information that makes a difference.
- Dept. of Banking
The agency's mission is to ensure Texas has a safe, sound and competitive financial services system.
Courts & Legal Assistance Top
- State Bar of Texas
The mission of the State Bar of Texas is to assure all citizens equal access to justice, foster high standards of ethical conduct for lawyers, help attorneys better serve their clients, educate the public about the rule of law, and promote diversity in the practice of law.
- Texas Courts Online
A portal to online information about the Texas state courts.
- Texas State Law Library
The State Law Library is a public law library that serves the legal research needs of the Court of Criminal Appeals, Supreme Court, Office of the Attorney General, other state agencies and commissions and the citizens of the state.
- Reference Desk - (512) 463-1722
- Texas Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of Texas is the court of last resort for civil matters in the State of Texas.
- Court of Criminal Appeals (CCA)
The Court of Criminal Appeals is Texas' highest court for criminal cases.
Health, Social Services & Public Safety Top
- Texas Health & Human Services Commission (HHSC)
The HHSC oversees the operations of the health and human services system, provides administrative oversight of Texas health and human services programs, and provides direct administration of some programs.
- Texas Dept. of State Health Services (DSHS)
The mission of the DSHS is to improve health and well-being in Texas.
- Complaint Hotline - (888) 973-0022
- Information and Referral Hotline - (888) 963-7111
- Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS)
The DPS's mission is to provide public safety services to those people in the state of Texas by enforcing laws, administering regulatory programs, managing records, educating the public, and managing emergencies, both directly and through interaction with other agencies.
- Texas Dept. of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
The mission of the TDCJ is to provide public safety, promote positive change in offender behavior, reintegrate offenders into society, and assist victims of crime.
- Texas Veterans Commission
- Veterans Hotline - (800) 252-8387
Labor, Employment & Retirement Top
- Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
The TWC is the state government agency charged with overseeing and providing workforce development services to employers and job seekers of Texas. For employers, TWC offers recruiting, retention, training and retraining, and outplacement services as well as valuable information on labor law and labor market statistics. For job seekers, TWC offers career development information, job search resources, training programs, and, as appropriate, unemployment benefits.
- Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
The mission of the Employees Retirement System of Texas is to enhance the lives of its customers through the efficient delivery of high quality benefits at the lowest practical cost.
- Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)
The TRS's mission is to provide retirement and related benefits for those employed by the public schools, colleges, and universities supported by the State of Texas.
- Telephone Counseling Center - (800) 223-8778
Mortgage & Foreclosure Assistance Top
- Texas Attorney General (OAG)
The attorney general is charged by the Texas Constitution to defend the laws and the Constitution of the State of Texas, represent the State in litigation, and approve public bond issues.
- Texas Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs
TDHCA's mission is to help Texans achieve an improved quality of life through the development of better communities.
- Texas Dept. of Savings & Mortgage Lending The Texas Department of Savings and Mortgage Lending is fundamentally committed to the comprehensive regulation of the state's savings institutions, mortgage brokers, and mortgage bankers to protect the financial interests of depositors, creditors and borrowers.
- Office of the Consumer Credit Commissioner (OCCC)
The mission of the OCCC is to regulate the credit industry and educate consumers and creditors, thereby producing a fair, lawful, and healthy credit environment for social and economic prosperity in Texas.
- Consumer Assistance Hotline - (800) 538-1579
Natural Resources Top
- Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
The TCEQ strives to protect the state's human and natural resources consistent with sustainable economic development. Its goal is clean air, clean water, and the safe management of waste.
- General Land Office
The GLO serves the people of Texas by preserving their history, protecting their environment, expanding economic opportunity, and maximizing state revenue through innovative administration and prudent stewardship of state lands and resources.
- Texas Railroad Commission (TRC)
The TRC has primary regulatory jurisdiction over oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas & hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal & uranium surface mining operations.
- Texas Water Development Board
The Texas Water Development Board's mission is to provide for the conservation and responsible development of water for Texas. To accomplish its goals, the TWDB provides water planning, data collection and dissemination, financial assistance and technical assistance services to the citizens of Texas.
Professional Licensing & Complaints Top
- Texas Dept. of Licensing & Regulation (TDLR)
The TDLR is the state's umbrella occupational regulatory agency, responsible for the regulation of 29 occupations and industries. Its mission is to honor the public trust, ensure the public's safety and foster a fair and efficient regulatory environment.
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Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)
TABC is the state agency that regulates all phases of the alcoholic beverage industry in Texas. The duties of the commission include regulating sales, taxation, importation, manufacturing, transporting, and advertising of alcoholic beverages.
- Texas Real Estate Commission (TREC)
The Commission's programs of education, licensing and industry regulation ensure that real estate service providers are honest, trustworthy and competent.
- Texas Medical Board
The board's mission is to protect and enhance the public's health, safety, and welfare by establishing and maintaining standards of excellence used in regulating the practice of medicine and ensuring quality health care for the citizens of Texas through licensure, discipline, and education.
- Board of Dental Examiners
The board's mission is to safeguard the dental health of Texas by developing and maintaining programs to ensure that only qualified persons are licensed to provide dental care and that violators of laws and rules regulating dentistry are sanctioned as appropriate.
- Dept. of Agriculture (TDA)
TDA's mission is to partner with all Texans to make Texas the nation's leader in agriculture, fortify its economy, empower rural communities, promote healthy lifestyles, and cultivate winning strategies for rural, suburban and urban Texas.
State Government Top
- Office of the Secretary of State (SOS)
The Secretary serves as Chief Election Officer for Texas, assisting county election officials and ensuring the uniform application and interpretation of election laws throughout Texas. The SOS also provides a repository for official and business and commercial records required to be filed with the Office. The Secretary publishes government rules and regulations and commissions notaries public. The Secretary also serves as keeper of the state seal and attestor to the Governor's signature on official documents.
- Office of the Governor
With responsibilities ranging from the research and creation of policy initiatives to the state's job creation efforts, the Office of the Governor plays a key role in shaping the future of the Lone Star State.
- Texas Legislative Council (TLC)
The mission of the council is to provide professional, nonpartisan service and support to the Texas Legislature and the other legislative agencies.
- Texas Legislature Online (TLO)
The Texas Legislature Online (TLO) is an internet application that enables the public to view the status of legislation and provides the ability to search bill text, amendment text, and bill information.
- Texas State Auditor (SAO)
The SAO is authorized to perform audits, reviews, and investigations of any entity receiving state funds, including state agencies and higher education institutions.
- Sunset Advisory Commission
The Commission's mandate is to identify and eliminate waste, duplication, and inefficiency in government agencies.
Transportation Top
- Texas Dept. of Motor Vehicles (TXDMV)
The Texas Department of Motor Vehicles (TxDMV) is responsible for vehicle registration and titling, issuing motor carrier operating authority, motor carrier enforcement, licensing vehicle dealers, and awarding law enforcement agencies grants to reduce auto theft and increase public awareness.
- Texas Dept. of Public Safety (DPS)
The DPS's mission is to provide public safety services to those people in the state of Texas by enforcing laws, administering regulatory programs, managing records, educating the public, and managing emergencies, both directly and through interaction with other agencies.
- Texas Dept. of Transportation (TXDOT)
TxDOT, in cooperation with local and regional officials, is responsible for planning, designing, building, operating and maintaining the state's transportation system. Its goals are to reduce congestion, enhance safety, expand economic opportunity, improve air quality, and preserve the value of transportation assets.
- Information Line - (800) 558-9368
Utilities Top
- Public Utility Commission (PUC)
The mission of the PUC is to protect customers, foster competition, and promote high quality infrastructure.
- Texas Railroad Commission (TRC)
The TRC has primary regulatory jurisdiction over oil and natural gas industry, pipeline transporters, natural gas & hazardous liquid pipeline industry, natural gas utilities, the LP-gas industry, and coal & uranium surface mining operations.
- Texas Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs (TRC)
TDHCA's mission is to help Texans achieve an improved quality of life through the development of better communities.
