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Current Articles & Research Resources, October 8

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

  • Read about the current recession's impact on American workers. (Economic Policy Institute, September 25, 2020)
  • Review the ways COVID-19 spreads. (Centers for Disesase Control and Prevention, updated October 5, 2020)
  • Consider how the totality of the circumstances in police shootings affect the outcomes. (Human Events, accessed September 25, 2020)
  • Read about U.S. Supreme Court nominee Judge Amy Coney Barrett's past jurisprudence. (Congressional Research Service, October 6, 2020)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 12, 2020

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 12

Senate Committee on Higher Education  

Charge: Adult Learner Students: Examine existing innovative programs in higher education institutions that assist non-traditional students in completing a degree or credential, including first-time adult learners, re-enrolling students, first generation students, working adults, and at-risk students. Provide recommendations on methods the state can use to partner with higher education institutions to expand successful programs throughout the state.

 

Charge: Data Transparency: Explore methods to improve data sharing and transparency among state agencies, school districts and charter schools, and higher education institutions. Consider best practices to increase the ability of high schools and higher education institutions to support student post-secondary access and degree completion and how to provide policymakers with data on each. Recommend methods of integrating existing data systems at the K-12 and higher education levels to provide real-time support and direction for students.

 

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Higher Education passed by the 86th Legislature, as well as relevant agencies and programs under the committee's jurisdiction. Specifically, make recommendations for any legislation needed to improve, enhance, or complete implementation of the following:

 

October 14

Senate Committee on Education  

Charge: Teacher Workforce: Examine best practice models to recruit, prepare, and retain highly effective teachers. In particular, focus on methods to train and prepare educators for teaching through virtual, in-person, or a blend of methods.

 

Charge: Adult Education: Identify and evaluate current innovative programs that assist non-traditional students (first-time adult learners, re-enrolling students, working adults, and educationally disadvantaged students) in completing a high school diploma, GED, post-secondary degree, or workforce credential, including a review of adult education charter schools and their performance framework. Make recommendations to help successful expansion with partnered business and education entities.

Dates of Interest for the 87th Regular Session

What are the key deadlines for the 87th Regular Session? Official deadlines will be set when the House and Senate adopt rules after session begins, but until then, related provisions in the Texas Constitution and Statutes and the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual perpetual calendar (shown below) can be useful.

 

November 3, 2020: General election for federal, state, and county officers (Texas Election Code, Section 41.001(a)(3))

 

November 9, 2020: Bill prefiling begins (House Rule 8, Section 7 and Senate Rule 7.04(a))

 

January 12, 2021: 87th Legislature convenes at noon (Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 5(a); Texas Government Code, Section 301.001)

 

March 12, 2021: 60-day bill filing deadline (Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 5(b))

 

May 31, 2021: Adjournment sine die (Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 24(b))

 

June 20, 2021: Post-session 20-day deadline for Governor to sign or veto (Texas Constitution, Article IV, Section 14)

 

August 30, 2021: Effective date (91st day after adjournment) (Texas Constitution, Article III, Section 39)

 

 

  Table can be viewed in the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual.

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 1

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

  • Explore how the electoral college process will progress for the 2020 presidential election. (Congressional Research Service, September 3, 2020)
  • Read about older women's retirement security. (U.S. Governmental Accountability Office, September 24, 2020)
  • Check park status before visiting one of Texas' state parks. (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, accessed September 30, 2020)
  • Learn about the Coronavirus Food Assistance Program 2 for agricultural producers. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, September 17, 2020)

 

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

 

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

 

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