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Current Articles & Research Resources, May 30

May 30

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community. 

  • Take advantage of Free Fishing Day in Texas. (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, May 24, 2019)
  • Learn about the different types of public lands in America. (Outside, May 22, 2019)
  • Find sun protection tips to help lower the risk of skin cancer. (The Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, May 9, 2019)
  • Prevent vehicular heatstroke in children. (National Safety Council, ©2019)
  • Consider pet safety during car travel. (American Veterinary Medical Association, ©2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Autocorrect." By Jonathan Rauch. Atlantic Monthly, June 2019, pp. 11-14.
    Highlights a project from Duke University's Reporters Lab that demonstrates the possibility of successful real-time, automated fact checking of political speeches and statements.
  • "Wall-to-wall turmoil." By Camila DeChalus. CQ Weekly, May 6, 2019, pp. 14-29.
    Provides a report card on President Donald Trump's efforts to address immigration issues. Includes a policy-by-policy examination of how the administration has fared on the immigration agenda.
  • "Policing and technology: Files, not faces." Economist, May 25th-31st, 2019, pp. 27-28.
    Comments on the growing public skepticism over the deployment of new technologies used by law enforcement officers, noting critics' concerns about the threats to privacy and civil liberties. Mentions San Francisco's ban on the use of facial-recognition systems.
  • "Emergency management in Texas: How the state prepares for the worst." By Spencer Grubbs. Fiscal Notes, May 2019, pp. 1, 3-6.
    Explains the structure of emergency management response to natural disasters in Texas, including the Texas Division of Emergency Management [TDEM], Texas Emergency Management Council, the 24 Texas disaster districts, the State Operations Center, and the Comptroller's Statewide Procurement Division. Notes the legislative history of emergency management in the Texas Civil Protection Act of 1951 (HB784, 52nd Legislature) and the Texas Disaster Act of 1975 (HB2032, 64th Legislature).
  • "'Future-proofing' Texas against natural disaster: The state plans for the next storm." By Peggy Fikac. Fiscal Notes, May 2019, pp. 7-10.
    Provides an overview of the historic flooding and economic impact of Hurricane Harvey. Discusses the storm resiliency recommendations in Eye of the Storm, the November 2018 report of the Governor's Commission to Rebuild Texas, and hurricane-related legislation in the 86th Legislature.
  • "Current proposals for Texas' investment in English learners still not enough." By Morgan Craven. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), April 2019, pp. 1-2, 6.
    Considers funding for English learner students in HB3, 86th Legislature. Applauds the additional weight given to non-English learners but points out that most students are not in dual language programs and therefore would not qualify for the increased funding.
  • "The case for free trade." By Scott Lincicome. National Review, May 20, 2019, pp. 26-28.
    Advocates for free trade, explaining trade and globalization have provided economic benefits to the American economy and national security.
  • "The economic forecast for Texas cities." By M. Ray Perryman. Perryman Report and Texas Letter, Vol. 36, No. 3, pp. 1-3, 6.
    Highlights the short-term economic forecast for the state's largest metropolitan statistical areas [MSAs] during the 2018-2023 period.
  • "Economic implications for the United States of a North America without NAFTA or USMCA." By Christine McDaniel. Policy Brief (Mercatus Center, George Mason University), May 21, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Examines key economic implications for the United States in the absence of a North American trade agreement in the areas of market access for trade in goods, intellectual property rights, digital trade, e-commerce, and labor standards.
  • "Texas border economy." By James P. Gaines, et al. Real Estate Center at Texas A&M University, May 22, 2019, pp. 1-20.
    Presents a monthly view of the Texas–Mexico border economy, as well as economic indicators in border housing markets. Includes statistics on total resident population, construction values, employment and unemployment, imports and exports, housing sales, home inventory, home median prices, and housing affordability.
  • "Meet the teens who want to get vaccinated against their parents' wishes." By Jillian Keenan. Reason, June 2019, pp. 36-38.
    Considers the question of when teenagers should have the right to make medical decisions for themselves, particularly related to vaccinations. Highlights laws in various states dealing with a variety of medical decisions by teenagers and when parental notification or consent is required.
  • "Neighbors suing over pig farms spur 'right-to-farm' push." By April Simpson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), May 22, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Highlights right-to-farm bills that legislatures in at least nine states have considered or enacted this year. Notes critics' concerns that new laws infringe on landowners' property rights, removing their ability to file legitimate nuisance claims.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 30, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1238 views. Print this entry.

What's Next? Post-Session FAQ and Bill Statistics

May 28

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

House and Senate Bills
Filed 7,324
Sent to the Governor 1,053
Signed by the Governor 222
Vetoed by the Governor 6
Filed without the Governor's signature 21
House and Senate Joint Resolutions
Filed 217
Filed with the Secretary of State 6
House and Senate Concurrent Resolutions
Filed 254
Filed with the Secretary of State 15
Sent to the Governor 86
Signed by the Governor 71
Vetoed by the Governor 0

*Statistics as of May 28 at 8:30 a.m. See our bill statistics page to compare these numbers with historical statistics.

 

What happens now?

The 86th Regular Session ended May 27, 2019. Bills that passed both the House and the Senate were sent to the Governor for him to sign, veto, or allow to become law without his signature. Joint Resolutions that passed both chambers of the Legislature were filed with the Secretary of State, and will be on the ballot for the November 5, 2019 election.

 

If the Legislature passes a bill, does it become a law right away?

No. Under Article 4, Section 14 of the Texas Constitution, bills passed by the Legislature must be submitted to the Governor for approval. The Governor can sign a bill, veto it, line-item veto an appropriation, or allow a bill to become law without his signature.

 

How much time does the Governor have to act on a bill?

If a bill is sent to the Governor during the legislative session, the Governor has 10 days (not counting Sundays) to sign the bill or return the bill to the Legislature with objection. If after 10 days the bill is not returned to the Legislature by the Governor with objections or he has not yet signed it, the bill becomes law as if the Governor had signed it.

 

If the Legislature has adjourned sine die, or if the bill is presented to the Governor less than 10 days (not counting Sundays) prior to final adjournment, the Governor has 20 days (counting Sundays) after the final day of the session to sign or veto the bill. If neither action is taken, the bill becomes law without the Governor's signature (Texas Const. art. IV, § 14).

 

Sunday, June 16, is the 20th day following final adjournment of the 86th Regular Session. It is the last day the Governor can sign or veto bills passed during the 86th Regular Session. The LRL's vetoes database will be updated for the 85th Regular Session as we receive those documents.

 

What happens to bills that did not pass?

Bills that did not make it completely through the legislative process die with the end of the session and are not automatically reintroduced during the next session.

 

This entry was posted on May 28, 2019 at 9:00 AM and has received 2212 views. Print this entry.

Conference Committee Reports and Bill Statistics

May 24

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Conference Committees, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

The 86th Regular Session ends Monday, May 27. As the end of session nears, many House and Senate members have been appointed to conference committees to resolve differences between their versions of bills. For information on the conference committee process, please see The Legislative Process in Texas.

To see a list of bills for which a conference committee was requested, please click here. Upon receiving completed conference committee reports, the LRL scans and posts them in our conference committee reports database. These reports, as well as a list of the members of a bill's conference committee, also are listed in the Texas Legislature Online record for each bill. 

 

The chart below provides a snapshot of bill statistics as of 10:10 a.m. today.

 

 

This entry was posted on May 24, 2019 at 12:45 PM and has received 2714 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 23

May 23

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community. 

  • Consider aspects of today's news media. (RAND Corporation Foundation, ©2019)
  • Examine how civil liability could affect how cyberbullying is addressed in the legal system. (UC Irvine Law Review, last revised May 7, 2019)
  • Read about the costs to state and local governments of accommdating asylum-seekers from Central America. (Stateline, May 17, 2019)
  • Find the latest information on drought status in Texas. (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, updated on May 10, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Was Texas tort reform necessary? An update on the judges' view of jury verdict accuracy." By Elizabeth M. Fraley, James Wren and Bradley J.B. Toben. Baylor Law Review, Winter 2019, pp. 168-189. (Note length)
    Examines the necessity of tort reform through a survey of state court trial judges. Finds surveyed judges believe jury verdicts on compensatory damages are more likely to be disproportionately low, civil lawsuits are rarely frivolous, and additional legislation limiting exemplary damages is not needed.
  • "Do they make too much?" By Phil Taylor. Christian Science Monitor, May 13, 2019, pp. 23-28.
    Considers the explosion in sports salaries. Examines the history of professional athlete salaries and their meaning in terms of economics and the social value of athletes.
  • "At Texas State, free-speech conflict proves needless." By Katherine Mangan. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 26, 2019, p. A30.
    Explains a recent vote to ban a conservative student organization by Texas State University student government was mischaracterized as an official action by the university. Discusses the connection of this event to SB18, 86th Legislature.
  • "Where Democratic candidates stand on free college." By Terry Nguyen. Chronicle of Higher Education, May 10, 2019, p. A28.
    Summarizes the views on free college of Democratic candidates seeking the presidential nomination. Includes quotes from each candidate expressing their stance.
  • "Abortion laws: Alabama shakes." Economist, May 18th-24th, 2019, pp. 20-21.
    Considers the likelihood that conservative states' passage of "heartbeat" bills banning abortion will lead to a legal case that can be used to overturn Roe v. Wade.
  • "Retired teacheers struggle to get by." By Madeline Will. Education Week, May 1, 2019, pp. 1, 13.
    Reports retired teachers have reached their breaking point due to stagnant wages and increased health insurance deductibles and premiums. Discusses lawmakers' efforts to remedy the financial hardships of retirees in Oklahoma, Indiana, and Texas.
  • "Confronting the burden of fines and fees on fine-only offenses of Texas: Recent reforms and next steps." By Haley Holik and Marc Levin. Internet Resource, April 30, 2019, pp. 21-22.
    Analyzes policies and legislation, SB1913 and HB351, 85th Legislature, related to the imposition and collection of fines and court costs for fine-only offenses. Provides recommendations for improving the current law and increasing the use of alternatives to incarceration for individuals who are unable to afford fines and fees.
  • "Tangled up in side effects: Why work requirements for health care is bad medicine for everyone." By Simon F. Haeder. Milken Institute Review, Second Quarter 2019, pp. 53-58, 60-61.
    Criticizes the policy development of Medicaid work requirements and discusses the experiences of Kentucky and Arkansas in implementing work requirements.
  • "The drug war's hidden foster care crisis." By C.J. Ciaramella. Reason, June 2019, p. 10.
    Discusses the correlation between increases in children placed in foster care and the rise in opioid addiction.
  • "Family welfare caps lose favor in more states." By Teresa Wiltz. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), May 3, 2019, pp. 1-5.
    Comments on recent state legislative efforts to repeal family welfare caps which deny welfare benefits to families that have additional children while on public assistance. Points out the connection between family cap rules and poverty.
  • "'Public education isn't somebody else's issue.'" By Robert White. Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), May 2019, pp. 8-13.
    Chronicles the Texas Tribune's recent symposium on the future of public education in Texas. Discusses public education and the workforce, school accountability, and efforts by the 86th Legislature to address the needs of public schools. Quotes Senator Royce West and Representative Diego Bernal.
  • "A leap of faith: Questioning the Constitutionality of Texas's legislative prayer practice." By Amanda Voeller. Texas Tech Law Review, Winter 2019, pp. 305-332. (Note length)
    Summarizes the tests courts use to evaluate violations of the Establishment Clause and the existing case law related to legislative prayer. Evaluates whether the Texas Legislature's prayer practice would withstand a court's test of the Establishment Clause.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 23, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 976 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics, 133rd Day

May 21

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

Bill statistics comparing the 133rd day of the 86th and the 85th Regular Sessions are below. For information about what happens to a bill after it passes, please see our Legislative FAQ page. To learn more about the legislative process and see bill statistics for earlier points in the 86th Regular Session, check out some of our recent blog posts. 

 

 

This entry was posted on May 21, 2019 at 2:10 PM and has received 1298 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy: May 2019

May 17

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the seven titles from our May 2019 New & Noteworthy list. 

Check out and delivery of New & Noteworthy titles is available to legislative staff in Capitol and District offices. To arrange check out and delivery of any of these items, you can submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website, contact the library at 512-463-1252, or use our PDF request form.

 

1. Texas Rules of Form: The Green Book
By University of Texas School of Law
Clarifies how to cite legal authorities unique to Texas. Includes formatting guidance for bills & resolutions, fiscal notes & bill analyses, committee minutes, testimony, debates, House & Senate journals, House & Senate rules, veto messages, and statutes.
Texas Law Review, 2018. 150 pages.
340.03 T313 2018


 

 

2. Texas Legislative Law Handbook
By Kevin C. Stewart and Andrew Cates
Provides guidance on how to navigate the legislative process in Texas. Includes chapters on statutory interpretation, administrative law, principles relating to points of order as well as campaign and ethics law. Features appendices with drafting and bill-scrubbing checklists, a rule referencing list, and vote requirements of each chamber.
The Law Offices of Kevin C. Stewart, 2018. 270 pages.
328.764 ST49T 2018


 

 

3. Texas House Practice
By Hugh L. Brady, ed.
Addresses the standing rules and precedents of the Texas House of Representatives for the 85th Legislature. Includes practice notes, congressional rules and precedents, and references to provisions of the Texas Constitution and laws, Texas Attorney General opinions, and court decisions.
Talbot Publishers, 2017. 415 pages.
328.764 T313H 2017


 

 

4. Texas Senate Practice
By Hugh L. Brady and Ross O. Peavey, editors
Addresses the standing rules and precedents of the Texas Senate for the 85th Legislature. Includes practice notes, congressional rules and precedents, and references to provisions of the Texas Constitution and laws, Texas Attorney General opinions, and court decisions.
Talbot Publishers, 2017. 209 pages.
328.764 T313S 2017


 

 

5. Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure
By National Conference of State Legislatures
Provides information on legislative procedure in a parliamentary manual designed specifically for state legislatures. Addresses problems and concepts in the contexts that occur most often in legislative bodies. Notes this manual is used by more than 70 percent of the nation’s legislatures.
National Conference of State Legislatures, 2010. 752 pages.
328.735 M381 2010


 

 

6. Metaphors Be With You: An A-To-Z Dictionary of History's Greatest Metaphorical Quotations
By Mardy Grothe
Presents a compendium of metaphorical quotations representing "the very best things that have ever been said" about 250 topics including literature, politics, philosophy, religion, and history. Organizes the quotations by topic and uses QR Codes to link each of the topics covered in the book to its corresponding section in an online database of more than 25,000 metaphorical quotations. Notes that source information for the quotations is not provided in the book, but citations for the quotations - and much more - can be found in the online database.
Harper, 2016. 478 pages.
Online at: http://www.drmardy.com/dmdmq/
808.882 G915M 2016

 

 

This entry was posted on May 17, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1186 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 16

May 16

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community. 

  • Read about opting out of face recognition at airports. (Electronic Frontier Foundation, April 24, 2019)
  • Consider what some states are doing to help mental health professionals maintain a license. (National Conference of State Legislatures, May 2019)
  • Explore an interactive online experience related to D-Day. (Library of Congress, May 10, 2019)
  • Examine statistics related to the birth rate in the United States. (National Vital Statistics System, May 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Selling a home may soon require more disclosures." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, May 10, 2019, p. A12.
    Highlights SB339, 86th Legislature, which proposes new disclosure rules when selling a home, such as more information about flooding risks. Includes comment by Senator Joan Huffman.
  • "Micro-brew, macro-fees: Texas law favors beer distributors while curbing growth and investment in the nation's third largest craft beer market." By Daniel P. Pellegrin, Jr. Baylor Law Review, Winter 2019, pp. 190-212. (Note length)
    Surveys the history of the three tier system within the alcohol industry and Texas laws and regulations specifically related to the manufacture and distribution of beer. Discusses how the growth of the craft beer market has changed the industry and how recent legislation, including SB518, 83rd Regular Session, is affecting growth.
  • "Arriving at the Supreme Court: Census controversy." By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, April 22 & 29, 2019, p. 15.
    Presents a question and answer discussion of Department of Commerce, et al. v. New York, et al., the case currently before the United States Supreme Court dealing with including a citizenship question on the census.
  • "Everyone agrees the U.S. needs to fix the border. But how?" By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, May 6, 2019, pp. 8-9.
    Discusses the areas of immigration law the Trump administration is seeking to change. Explores other ideas for improving the border and immigration situation such as viewing the border as an ecosystem affected by a number of variables and improving the dysfunctional immigration court system.
  • "'It's an aristocracy': What the admissions-bribery scandal has exposed about class on campus." By Jack Stripling. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 26, 2019, pp. A22-A23.
    Analyzes the college admissions-bribery scandal in terms of the codependent relationship between top-tier colleges and the "power elite" who provide endowments, buildings, and pay full tuition for their children. Presents a sidebar displaying students from the bottom 40 percent in income level, and those at the top 20 percent and top 10 percent income levels at eight universities, including the University of Texas at Austin.
  • "Education Dept. deal ends a medical school's use of race in admissions." By Nell Gluckman. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 26, 2019, p. A35.
    Highlights a recent agreement between the Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center and the United States Department of Education that prohibits the school from considering race when making admissions decisions.
  • "Presidential power: The chief-executive branch."  Economist, May 11th-17th, 2019, pp. 21-22.
    Discusses how President Trump's refusal to comply with congressional subpoenas is reshaping the relationship between Congress and the presidency and how Congress exercises its oversight powers to check the executive branch.
  • "Graduate education: Is it worth it?" By Gustavo A. Mellander. Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education, April/May 2019, pp. 6-7.
    Points out the fastest growing jobs through 2036: health care, computers, and clean energy professionals. Suggests graduate education will be necessary for the best jobs.
  • "Resisting the allure of gross receipt taxes: An assessment of their costs and consequences." By Garrett Watson. Journal of Multistate Taxation and Incentives May 2019, pp. 6-17, 48.
    Discusses the history of gross receipts taxes and their negative economic effects. Discusses the Texas Margin Tax.
  • "Prisoners of profit: Prisons are at the center of a privatization bonanza — and private equity companies are playing an outsize role." By Tim Requarth. Nation, May 13, 2019, pp. 12-19, 25.
    Details the expansion of privatized services in publicly-operated jails and prisons in the United States, including prison phone calls, inmate transportation, medical and mental health care, and commissary and food services. Mentions a Texas lawsuit on medical treatment and exploding prison populations (Estelle v. Gamble) and notes the highest cost of a 15-minute phone call from a local jail in Texas is $17.25.
  • "Wanted: Digital whizzes to work in agriculture." By April Simpson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), May 9, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Discusses the future of agricultural education. Points out too few college graduates have the technical precision agriculture skills that agribusiness employers need.
  • "The new Texans." By Luis B. Torres and Wesley Miller. Tierra Grande, April 2019, pp. 6-8.
    Discusses the makeup of foreign-born residents in Texas. Examines how this group is changing along with the skills of its workforce.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 16, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 929 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 13

May 13

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

As the 86th Legislature draws to a close, a series of end-of-session deadlines begin to take effect. Below is a list of deadlines that occur next week:

  • Monday, May 20: Deadline for house to distribute last House Local & Consent Calendar with senate bills.
  • Tuesday, May 21: Last day for house to consider second reading senate bills and senate joint resolutions on the House Daily or Supplemental Calendar.
  • Wednesday, May 22: Last day for house to consider local and consent senate bills on second and third reading, and all third reading senate bills and senate joint resolutions on the House Supplemental Calendar. Last day for senate to consider all bills and joint resolutions on second or third reading.
  • Thursday, May 23: Midnight deadline for house to distribute senate amendments.
  • Friday, May 24: Last day for house to act on senate amendments. Midnight deadline for senate to print and distribute senate copies of conference committee reports on tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills.
  • Saturday, May 25: Midnight deadline for house to distribute house copies of all conference committee reports. Midnight deadline for senate to print and distribute senate copies of all conference committee reports on bills other than tax, general appropriations, and reapportionment bills, and all house amendments to senate bills and joint resolutions that did not go to conference committee.
  • Sunday, May 26: Last day for house to adopt conference committee reports or discharge house conferees and concur in senate amendments. Last day for senate to concure in house amendments or adopt conference committee reports.
  • Monday, May 27: Last day of the 85th Regular Session (sine die); only corrections may be considered in house and senate.

House and Senate calendars are available on the Texas Legislature Online, and Senate agendas are available in hard copy from the library (Rm. 2N.3). 

 

Bill statistics for the period of Nov. 12, 2018 - May 10, 2019 are below.

  House Bills (HB) & Joint Resolutions (HJR) Senate Bills (SB) & Joint Resolutions (SJR)
Filed  4,912 2,629
Reported out of committee 2,291 906
Passed by chamber of origin 1,449 777
Referred to committee in opposite chamber 1,179 736
Reported out of committee in opposite chamber 313 419
Passed opposite chamber 142 93
Signed by the Governor 8 21

 

 

 

 

This entry was posted on May 13, 2019 at 12:15 PM and has received 1208 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 9

May 9

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Research Resources

In this weekly post, we feature helpful research tools and recent articles of interest to the legislative community. 

  • See how different types of natural disasters affect different parts of the country. (The Washington Post, April 25, 2019)
  • Find free online courses in law and legal topics. (Inner Temple Library, April 2019)
  • Examine statistics about pregnancy-related deaths. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2019)
  • Explore aspects of voter turnout for the 2018 midterm elections. (Pew Research Center, May 1, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Facecourt?" By Mark F. Walsh. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, May 2019, pp. 52-57.
    Discusses Facebook's plans to create a judicial-like body to address controversial speech. Examines how this oversight board will function and how board members will be chosen.
  • "The next George Bush." By Elaine Plott. Atlantic Monthly, May 2019, pp. 22-25.
    Profiles George P. Bush, Texas Land Commissioner, and discusses his role in the future of Republican politics.
  • "Craft breweries closer to winning on to-go sales." By Kimberly Reeves. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, p. 15.
    Discusses proposed legislation that would permit statewide sales of craft beer to go. Includes comments by Representative Eddie Rodriguez and mentions Representative Chris Paddie.
  • "Will Muny be saved?" By Daniel Salazar. Austin Business Journal, May 3, 2019, pp. 4-7.
    Reports on efforts to protect Austin's historic Lions Municipal Golf Course from development. Mentions Senator Kirk Watson and SB2553, 86th Legislature, relating to the creation of the Save Historic Muny District.
  • "The US southern border, in numbers." By Henry Gass. Christian Science Monitor, April 15, 2019, pp. A8-A10, A12, A14.
    Profiles Amarillo College's No Excuses Poverty Initiative which partners with the community to offer a wide array of support to students. Explains this program recognizes that poverty and not academic demands can pose the biggest barrier to student success in community colleges.
  • "Parsing prayer policies." By Liz Hayes. Church & State, May 2019, pp. 4-6.
    Reports on governmental entities' struggles to comply with the 2014 United States Supreme Court decision, Town of Greece v. Galloway, which set new standards on government-sponsored invocations.
  • "Funding water infrastructure: How Texas pays for water."  By Spencer Grubbs and Shannon Halbrook. Fiscal Notes, April 2019, pp. 7-10.
    Reviews water infrastructure financing procedures and notable projects of the State Water Implementation Fund of Texas (SWIFT), passed in 2013 as a result of devastating droughts (SJR1 and HB4, 83rd Legislature, R.S.).
  • "How childhood has changed for tweens." By Phyllis L. Fagell. Phi Delta Kappan, April 2019, pp. 8-12.
    Considers three ways in which childhood is different for 21st century adolescents. Discusses the effects of an increased use of technology, mental health challenges, and an awareness of identity issues.
  • "Can rooftop solar survive declining subsidies?: A case study in Louisiana." By Greg Upton. Public Utilities Fortnightly April 2019, pp. 52-54.
    Summarizes a recent white paper from Louisiana State University's Center for Energy Studies. Provides a case study of recent policy changes in Louisiana regarding subsidies for solar energy installations. (Related document at: http://lpscstar.louisiana.gov/star/portal/lpsc/PSC/DocketDetails.aspx?DocketId=822f39ca-66c5-4b39-a5bd-e5c5b76dbcc1).
  • "Solar, a strategy for decarbonizing the grid and increasing resilience: For your consideration." By Joe Song and Sachu Constantine. Public Utilities Fortnightly, April 2019, pp. 48-51.
    Explores how solar energy systems can help improve the electric grid. Points out the performance of commercial solar in the wake of Hurricane Florence.
  • "When gun control is censorship." By Zach Weissmueller. Reason, May 2019, p. 42-29.
    Interviews Paloma Heindorff, the recently installed chief of Defense Distributed, the Austin-based company that gained notoriety by making a usable plastic handgun with a 3D printer. Presents her views on the company's ongoing legal battles dealing with digital gun-making.
  • "Warning signs." By Christopher Collins. Texas Observer, May/June 2019, pp. 12-19.
    Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis.
  • "Contrasting costs." By Ali Anari. Tierra Grande, April 2019, pp. 2-5.
    Investigates the high rate of suicide in rural Texas and the barriers to mental health care that are worsening the crisis.
  • "Public spending on infants and toddlers in six charts: A kids' share brief." By Julia B. Isaacs, et al. Urban Institute Brief, May 6, 2019, pp. 1-11.
    Summarizes federal and state spending on infants and toddlers through programs and tax reductions. Finds lower levels of state and local spending on this age group.

 

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

 

This entry was posted on May 9, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1082 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics & Upcoming Deadlines, May 6

May 6

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Bill statistics, Legislative process, 86th Session

As the 86th Legislature draws to a close, a series of end-of-session deadlines begin to take effect. Below is a list of deadlines that occur next week:

  • Wednesday, May 15: 9 a.m. Deadline for house to distribute its last House Local & Consent Calendar with local house bills.
  • Friday, May 17: Last day for house to consider local house bills on second and third reading. First day senate can consider bills and resolutions the first day they are posted on the Senate Intent Calendar.
  • Saturday, May 18: Last day for house committees to report senate bills and senate joint resolutions.
  • Sunday, May 19: 10 p.m. Deadline for house to distribute its last House Daily Calendar with senate bills and senate joint resolutions.

House and Senate calendars are available on the Texas Legislature Online, and Senate agendas are available in hard copy from the library (Rm. 2N.3). 

 

Bill statistics for the period of Nov. 12, 2018 - May 3, 2019 are below.

  House Bills (HB) & Joint Resolutions (HJR) Senate Bills (SB) & Joint Resolutions (SJR)
Filed  4,911 2,629
Reported out of committee 2,278 866
Passed by chamber of origin 1,111 720
Referred to committee in opposite chamber 708 592
Reported out of committee in opposite chamber 115 270
Passed opposite chamber 41 63
Signed by the Governor 3 5

 

 

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