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Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research

Week in Review, October 9th

Oct 9

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine national standardized test results and what they may indicate. (College Board, October 7, 2014)
  • Discover new online resources for Latino students. (Education Week, October 2, 2014)
  • Review information about the Ebola virus and guidance from the CDC. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last updated October 7, 2014)
  • Consider the relationship between crime and imprisonment. (Pew Charitable Trusts, September 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 9, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 490 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of October 13, 2014

Oct 6

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings – Week of October 13th
Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

October 13th Top

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Charge: Alignment between high school and freshman level college coursework, specifically mathematics (including Algebra II) and science courses

 

Charge: Use of dual credit coursework and other secondary school programs for college credit

 

Charge: Implementation of legislation, specifically, the following:

  • SB 414, 83rd Legislature, R.S. (2013), relating to a study and report regarding authorizing certain public junior colleges to offer baccalaureate degree programs to address regional workforce needs

  • SB 62, 83rd Legislature, R.S. (2013), relating to the vaccination against bacterial meningitis of entering students at public and private or independent institutions of higher education

               

  • SB 28, 82nd Legislature, R.S. (2011), relating to eligibility for a TEXAS grant and to administration of the TEXAS grant program

  • HB 1244, 82nd Legislature, R.S. (2011), relating to developmental education and the assessment of student readiness under the Texas Success Initiative and to students enrolled in developmental education at public institutions of higher education

 

October 14th Top

Joint Interim Committee on Education Policy for a Skilled Workforce

Charge: Career and technical education's impact on high school graduation, transitions to postsecondary education, industry-based certification, a postsecondary certificate, or an associate's degree

Charge: High school career and technical education, career exploration, and curricula that align with postsecondary programs and employer-based training

 

October 15th Top

House Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives

Topics: Financial tools, permitting process, key tax incentives, and needs for small businesses

House Committees on Land & Resource Management  and Urban Affairs (Joint Hearing, 10:30 A.M.)

Examine population growth in Texas and evaluate Texas' preparedness to respond to future growth and ensure economic stability

 

House Committee on Urban Affairs, 1:00 P.M.

Charge: Strategies to address chronic graffiti problem

 

Charge: Recommendations in report by Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services (TCCVS), homeless veterans

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction

 

October 16th Top

House Committee on Public Education

Charge: School district governance, effective relationship between board and superintendent

Charge: Role of the Harris County Department of Education (HCDE) in serving school districts
History of HCDE, Harris County Department of Education

 

 House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures

 Charge: Evaluate and consider cost-saving technologies and programs used by the Department of Licensing and Regulation to increase efficiencies and access to those with licensing occupations.

 Charge: Expand the right of individuals to challenge occupational licensing rules and regulations; identify occupational licenses that may not be necessary for public safety or health.

 Charge: Effect of HB 3038, 83rd Legislature, R.S. on multi-state auction companies, as well as business-to-business auctions.

 Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction and the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 83rd Legislature.

 

This entry was posted on October 6, 2014 at 8:28 AM and has received 2087 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, October 2nd

Oct 2

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine how the U.S. Census Bureau arrives at figures on poverty and income disparities. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, September 11, 2014)
  • Examine non-candidate spending on political advertising in state elections. (The Center for Public Integrity, September 27, 2014)
  • Read a report on racial profiling and racial profiling laws. (NAACP, September 2014)
  • Explore Glasshouse Policy, a forum aimed at the political process in Texas. (Glasshouse Policy, accessed October 1, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on October 2, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 462 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 6, 2014

Sep 29

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings – Week of October 6th

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

October 6th Top

Topic: Speaker's Strategic Fiscal Review Charge testimony regarding:

  • General Revenue-funded Programs at the Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services

 

Topic: Speaker's Strategic Fiscal Review Charge testimony regarding:

  • Public Utility Commission
  • Texas Emissions Reduction Plan at the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
  • Texas Department of Transportation

 

House Select Committee on Health Care Education & Training

Topics: Innovative educational models, state workforce programs and policy recommendations to strengthen the health care workforce in Texas; dental health care workforce; veterans employment opportunities in health care careers

 

October 7th Top

Topic: Speaker's Strategic Fiscal Review Charge testimony regarding:

  • Higher Education Coordinating Board
  • University System Offices
  • Available University Fund
  • Texas Education Agency

 

House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence

Charge: Impact of SB 1289, 83rd Legislature, R.S., sale of criminal histories and arrest records 

 

Charge: Non-traditional criminal offenses outside of the Penal Code, use of the Rule of Lenity and Mens Rea requirements in Texas

 

Charge: Deferred adjudication and orders for non-disclosure, use of expunction of criminal records history

 

Charge: Current pecuniary loss thresholds associated with graffiti offenses, existing Graffiti Abatement Programs in Texas

 

Charge: Community supervision in state jail felonies and effectiveness of the state jail

 

Charge: Emergency preparedness

 

Topic: Border operations update

 

Topic: Driver Responsibility Program

 

Topic: Ammonium nitrate storage

House Committee on Insurance   

Charge: Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA)

House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock

Topic: Agricultural commodity import traffic delays

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Topic: State's public health preparedness and response to infectious disease threats; overview of the ongoing local, state, and federal response to the confirmed Ebola case in Dallas

 

October 8th Top

House Committees on Corrections and Public Education (Joint Hearing)

Charge: Impact of SB 393, 83rd Legislature, R.S. and SB 1114, 83rd Legislature R.S.; School discipline and school-based policing

 

House Committee on Corrections

Charge: Review of correctional facilities and processes within Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles, and Texas Juvenile Justice Department with emphasis on efficiencies, effectiveness, and recidivism

 

House Committee on Public Education

Charge: Implementation of HB 5, 83rd Legislature, R.S., and recommendations for improvement; creation of additional rigorous mathematics and science courses needed to address the current and projected needs of the state's workforce

Joint Legislative Committee on Texas Lottery

Topic: Charitable bingo

 

Topic: Elimination of the state lottery

 
House Committee on Ways & Means

Topic: Implementation of recent amendments to the property tax; frequency of reappraisals

 

Topic: Marketplace Fairness Act

Topic: Original purpose of the economic stabilization fund, appropriateness of using the net amount of oil and gas production taxes received in the 1987 state fiscal year as the basis for making general revenue transfers to the economic stabilization fund

 

Topic: Additional funding made available to Texas Department of Transportation not originally identified in the 2014-15 General Appropriations Act

 

Topic: New and previously discussed future funding options

Topic: Structure and functions of regional mobility authorities

 

 

Charge: Texas Coordinating Council for Veterans Services (TCCVS) report recommendations; new methods to help homeless Veterans using state, regional, and local resources

Charge: Strategies for effectively supporting military veteran students in their academic and workforce goals

 

This entry was posted on September 29, 2014 at 8:32 AM and has received 2972 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, September 25th

Sep 25

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Examine how the U.S. Census Bureau arrives at health insurance coverage estimates for 2013 based on its annual Current Population Survey. (Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, September 11, 2014)
  • See which metropolitan areas experienced economic growth in 2013. (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, September 16, 2014)
  • Consider how states address insurance and Medicaid coverage of abortion services. (Kaiser Family Foundation, accessed September 24, 2014)
  • Map potential flooding risk due to climate change by country. (The New York Times, September 23, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on September 25, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 468 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of September 29, 2014

Sep 22

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings - Week of September 29th     

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

September 29th Top

House Committee on Environmental Regulation

Charge: Environmental Protection Agency's newly proposed Clean Power Plan and potential impact on Texas

 

September 30th Top

House Select Committee on Child Protection

Topics: Review of abuse and neglect fatalities; Coordination and collaboration among local agencies, faith-based organizations, the private sector, non-profits, and law enforcement; Efficacy of ongoing prevention efforts

 

House Committee on Environmental Regulation

Charge: Environmental Protection Agency's newly proposed Clean Power Plan and potential impact on Texas

(see September 29th above)

 

This entry was posted on September 22, 2014 at 8:22 AM and has received 1221 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, September 18th

Sep 18

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.
  • Review a new report on obesity. (Trust for America's Health, September 2014)
  • Consider the possible effects of shale gas mining on drinking-water wells. (PNAS, September 15, 2014)
  • Read about the implementation of certain federal regulations for coal-fueled electricity generating units. (U.S. Government Accountability Office, August 2014)
  • See how California is handling rideshare carpooling services. (CNET, September 12, 2014)
  • Examine data and a new report on Texas–Mexico border incidents. (Texas Department of Public Safety, September 11, 2014)
 
 

This entry was posted on September 18, 2014 at 3:15 PM and has received 606 views. Print this entry.

Texas Penal Code Revision Research Guide

Sep 17

posted by TexasLRL in LRL news

The library is pleased to announce the addition of Texas Penal Code Revision Research Guide to our online collection of statutory revision material. The guide provides information on sources available for legislative intent research for the Texas Penal Code as enacted in 1973. That enactment was the culmination of a substantial revision process conducted by the Texas Penal Code Revision Project, a collaborative effort of the Texas Bar Association and the Texas Legislative Council, from 1965 to 1973. The Guide includes information about the revision process; a timeline; a chronological list of documents related to the revision; a list of documents organized by Penal Code section; and other resources.
 

This entry was posted on September 17, 2014 at 9:06 AM and has received 1077 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of September 22, 2014

Sep 15

posted by TexasLRL in 83rd Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings – Week of September 22nd

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of interim committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming Interim Hearings.

September 22nd Top

Senate Committee on Economic Development

Charge: Legislative and regulatory barriers to capital investment, growth, and expansion of Texas businesses; reducing regulatory barriers to professions regulated by Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation

 Charge: Biennial state review process for economic development programs

 Charge: Implementation of SB 21, 83rd Legislature R.S., which requires drug testing for unemployment insurance claimants

September 23rd Top

House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock

Charge: Transparency, accountability, and efficiency in state agencies under the committee's jurisdiction; cost-saving technologies such as the route optimization system used by the Texas Department of Agriculture to save funds in inspection activities

 Charge: Texas Right to Farm Act

 Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of the agencies and programs under the committee’s jurisdiction

 

House Committee on Special Purpose Districts

Charge: Comprehensive review of existing special purpose districts in the state

September 24th Top

House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock CANCELLED

Continuation of any unfinished business from the previous day

 

House Select Committee on Economic Development Incentives

Topics: Energy and private space incentives, freeports, and the Cancer Prevention Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT)

Senate Committee on Finance

Topic: Legislative Budget Board (LBB) presentations about major cost drivers for the state budget in:

  • Public Education

  • Higher Education

  • Medicaid

  • Mental Health

  • Transportation

  • Water

  • Employee Retirement Systems

  • Teacher Retirement System

Charge: Commercial oyster industry in the Commercial Fishing License Buyback Program at the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Charge: Implementation of HB 3279, 83rd Legislature, R.S., regarding the protection of seagrass plants

Charge: Economic impact of cultural, recreation, or tourism grants provided by the state, including any economic development grants related to cultural, recreational, or tourism industries, heritage tourism, courthouse restoration, and historic district revitalization 

Topic: Update on Battleship Texas

House Committee on Public Health

Charge: Efficient exchange of electronic health information with Texas Health and Human Services enterprise agencies

 Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies and programs, including implementation of HB 15, 83rd Legislature, R.S.

 

September 25th Top

Joint Interim Committee to Study Human Trafficking

Topics: Services and resources available to victims of human trafficking; current efforts in North Texas region to combat human trafficking

September 26th Top

House Committees on Energy Resources and International Trade & Intergovernmental Affairs  (Joint Hearing)

Charge: Impact on Texas' economy and businesses of the recent expansion of oil and gas production in Northern Mexico, Mexico's efforts to recover shale gas from Eagle Ford Shale

This entry was posted on September 15, 2014 at 10:01 AM and has received 2584 views. Print this entry.

Highlights from our Collection

Sep 12

posted by TexasLRL in LRL news

The library adds new books to its collection every week. Here are several books recently added.

Getting Life: An Innocent Man's 25-Year Journey from Prison to Peace, by Michael Morton (2014).
"He spent twenty-five years in prison for a crime he did not commit. He lost his wife, his son, and his freedom. This is the story of how Michael Morton finally got justice—and a second chance at life." (Publisher's website)

The Second Amendment: A Biography, by Michael Waldman (2014).
"At a time of renewed debate over guns in America, what does the Second Amendment mean? This book looks at history to provide some surprising, illuminating answers." (Publisher's website)

 

Constitutional Brinksmanship: Amending the Constitution, Russell L. Caplan (1988).
"In this first systematic study of the legal problems relating to the convention clause, Russell Caplan shows that repeated constitutional crises have given rise to state drives for a national convention nearly every twenty years since the Constitution was enacted." (Publisher's website)

Texas Law of Streets and Alleys: A Handbook, by Kenneth L. Bennight, Jr. (2014).
"Who owns the streets? Is there a difference between streets and alleys or between urban streets and rural roads? ... What limits are there on cities' discretion? These questions and more are answered in this convenient handbook. If you represent a city or are a city official or if you deal with cities or represent people who do, this handbook will help you in your work." (Publisher's website)

Rough Country: How Texas Became America's Most Powerful Bible-Belt State, by Robert Wuthnow (2014).
"Tracing the intersection of religion, race, and power in Texas from Reconstruction through the rise of the Religious Right and the failed presidential bid of Governor Rick Perry, Rough Country illuminates American history since the Civil War in new ways, demonstrating that Texas’ story is also America’s." (Publisher's website)

A Great Aridness: Climate Change and the Future of the American Southwest, by William DeBuys (2013).
"The Southwest continues to be the fastest-growing and one of the most urban regions in the country--the book addresses whether or not its oasis-based culture will be able to continue. " (Publisher's website)

 

This entry was posted on September 12, 2014 at 10:50 AM and has received 1212 views. Print this entry.

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