Current Articles for August 28, 2025

The Legislative Reference Library produces a weekly list of current journal articles for members of the legislative community. Each week, librarians select and abstract articles of interest to the legislature from the latest issues of over 300 journals, newsletters, state documents, and trade publications. Electronic copies of the Current Articles list are distributed to legislative offices each Thursday.

The Legislative Reference Library is located on the second floor of the State Capitol building in Room 2N.3. For more information, please call the Library at 512-463-1252.

• HB 6: Key changes to school discipline in Texas. Classroom Teacher (Texas Classroom Teachers Association), Summer 2025, p. 10.
  Discusses the authority, immunity, exemptions, and limits related to the updates to school discipline with the passage of HB 6, 89th Legislature, R.S.
  See: https://issuu.com/texascta/docs/the_classroom_teacher_summer_2025/10
  
• Oil production on the rise as oil rigs decrease. By Peggy Fikac and Dan Olsen. Fiscal Notes, August 2025, pp. 1-9.
  Demonstrates visually the importance of fossil fuels production to the Texas economy. Charts the average oil and gas rig count compared with production data; oil and gas production tax collections; total rigs for horizontal wells compared to vertical wells; and natural resources and mining employment.
  See: https://comptroller.texas.gov/economy/fiscal-notes/industry/2025/rigs-info/
  
• Sky-high demand might mean higher power bills. By Naomi Klinge. Houston Business Journal, August 22-28, 2025, p. 16.
  Explains that growth in population, industry, and new data centers has Texas electricity demand projected to double by 2035. Quotes an industry executive as saying that residential power prices have been growing faster than inflation over the past few years. Adds that the U.S. Energy Information Administration expects a four percent increase in the price per kilowatt hour nationwide, while residential prices in ERCOT may increase by one to three percent.
• Advocating for maintaining housing first policies. By Kirk B. Fetters and Joshua A. Barocas. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 12, 2025, pp. 485-486.
  Explores homelessness in the U.S. and potential ways to approach decreasing homelessness. Considers the Housing First model and whether this approach is effective.
• How immigration policy threatens US medical training and patient care: A fragile pipeline. By Jeremy W. Jacobs, et al. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 12, 2025, pp. 483-484.
  Reflects on how graduate medical education may be negatively impacted by some of the Trump administration's immigration policies. Raises concerns about a shrinking physician workforce as a result.
• Cost-of-living adjustments (2025). NASRA Issue Brief (National Association of State Retirement Administrators), August 2025, pp. 1-20.
  Discusses periodic cost-of-living adjustments (COLA) in state and local government pensions, including the purpose of COLAs; common COLA types and features; recent state changes to COLA provisions; and the impact of inflation on COLA changes. Features an appendix including the Texas County and District Retirement System; Employees Retirement System of Texas; Texas Municipal Retirement System; and Teacher Retirement System of Texas.
  See: https://www.nasra.org/files/Issue%20Briefs/NASRACOLABrief.pdf
  
• Back from the dead: Interpreting Antebellum-era abortion prohibitions in present-day Texas. By Martha "Mattie" Vazquez. South Texas Law Review, Spring 2025, pp. 471-506.
  Argues that Texas Revised Civil Statutes Art. 4512.2, a law passed by the 6th Texas Legislature criminalizing abortion and furnishing "the means to an abortion," applies only to drugs; instruments; or physical acts that induce abortion, and does not restrict someone from providing funds to pay for abortion care. Asserts that punishing this act under Art. 4512.2 is unconstitutional, and that Texas lawmakers must pass relevant legislation if they wish to criminalize the donation of funds to pay for an abortion.
• Grieving Camp Mystic parents testify on flood disaster before Texas Senate committee. By Cameron Abrams. Texan, August 20, 2025, pp. 1-3.
  Chronicles the invited testimony of Camp Mystic parents at the Senate Select Committee on Disaster Preparedness and Flooding hearing on August 20. Describes the emergency management provisions for youth camps in SB 1, 89th Legislature, 2nd C.S., the "Heaven's 27 Camp Safety Act."
  See: https://thetexan.news/state/legislature/texas-state-senate-news/grieving-camp-mystic-parents-testify ...
  
• Texas Comptroller's office releases proposed rules for new school choice ESA program. By Meridith Dyer. Texan, August 25, 2025, pp. 1-2.
  Reviews the proposed rules released by acting Texas Comptroller Kelly Hancock to implement the new education savings account (ESA) program, including ESA participants; providers; and vendors.
  See: https://thetexan.news/issues/education/texas-comptroller-s-office-releases-proposed-rules-for-new-sc ...
  Related information at: https://www.sos.state.tx.us/texreg/archive/August222025/Proposed Rules/34.PUBLIC FINANCE.html#31
  
• Big wins for Texas real estate and property owners from the 89th Legislature. Texas Realtor, July/August 2025, pp. 8-16.
  Summarizes new real estate legislation enacted in the 89th Legislature, Regular Session, including modernization of real estate agency law; regulation of property owners' associations; transparency of public improvement districts; flood notices for leases; property tax relief; foreign acquisition of property; and housing availability and affordability.
  See: https://www.texasrealestate.com/wp-content/uploads/TexasRealtor0425.pdf#page=8