The library website will be unavailable due to system maintenance from 6:00 p.m. on Friday, April 26, 2024, through 7:00 a.m. on Monday, April 29, 2024
Legislative library home page
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research
Legislative Reference Library of Texas
your partner in legislative research

Skip to main content

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 28

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

  • Read about blood lead screening tests in Medicaid-enrolled children in five states. (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, October 2021)
  • Track CDC investments in combating antibiotic resistance by state. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, accessed October 28, 2021)
  • Compare the costs of driving electric vehicles versus driving internal combustion engine vehicles. (Anderson Economic Group, October 21, 2021)
  • Consider which harmful chemicals may be present in certain fast food items. (Journal of Exposure Science & Environmental Epidemiology, October 27, 2021)

 

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.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: October 2021

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our September 2021 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. The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth
By By Jonathan Rauch
Employs a philosophical and journalistic approach to examine the ways in which Americans on different sides of the political spectrum distinguish fact from fiction, as widespread disinformation and polarization affect the way we determine and uphold the "truth." Investigates trends from both the right and left, including trolling and cancel culture, and highlights how various forms of disinformation were utilized during the 2016 and 2020 elections.
Brookings Institution Press, 2021, 305 pages
174.907 R241C 2021

 

 

2. Redistricting: The Most Political Activity in America
By Charles S. Bullock III
Provides an overview and history of redistricting at the congressional, state legislative, and local levels. Discusses factors that influence redistricting as well as districting schemes, partisan gerrymandering, minorities, redistricting controversies, and judicial challenges. Addresses redistricting in Texas, including plans by former U.S. Representatives Tom Delay and Martin Frost.
Rowman & Littlefield, 2021, 261 pages
328.73 B938R 2021

 

 

3. Bill Analyses, Enrolled Legislation of the 87th Texas Legislature
By Senate Research Center
Compiles the Senate Research Center's analyses of enrolled bills from the Regular and Second Called Sessions of the 87th Legislature, organized in numerical order over eight volumes. Includes the author's or sponsor's statement of intent as well as a section-by-section analysis, and identifies bills that grant additional rulemaking authority to any state officer, institution, or agency. Notes no legislation was enrolled during the 87th Legislature, First Called Session.
Senate Research Center, 2021, 8 volumes
L1803.6 AN13 2021

 

 

4. Constitutional Amendments Proposed for November 2021 Ballot
By House Research Organization
Describes the process by which constitutional amendments are adopted. Provides information on each of the eight proposed amendments that will be submitted for voter approval at the November 2, 2021, general election. Includes background information, analysis, and arguments for and against each proposal.
House Research Organization, 2021, 20 pages
L1801.9 ST94 87-3

 

 

5. Data for 2021 Redistricting in Texas
By Texas Legislative Council
Examines the data utilized within the Texas Legislative Council’s redistricting computer system. Describes how the data is collected and prepared for redistricting, the sources of data, and the electronic resources available for viewing and obtaining the data. Presents information in three sections: population data, geographic data, and election data.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 21 pages
L1400.8 D262 2021

 

 

6. Guide to 2021 Redistricting in Texas
By Texas Legislative Council
Introduces the issues and constraints related to statewide redistricting in Texas following the 2020 decennial census. Outlines the requirements of a redistricting plan and explains the redistricting process. Includes sections on the types of data used and public participation.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 10 pages
L1400.8 G942 2021

 

 

7. Sunset in Texas, 2022-2023
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Explains the Sunset review process, which was created in 1977 to examine the need for and the effectiveness of state agencies and their programs. Describes each stage of the review process, the evaluation tools that guide every review, and ways in which the public can participate. Offers examples of major Sunset changes since 1977 and highlights recommendations adopted by the 87th Legislature. Includes the Sunset review schedule for the 2023-2033 period, a list of agencies that are reviewed, and the text of the Texas Sunset Act (Texas Government Code, Chapter 325).
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2021, 44 pages
S1500.8 SU74 2021

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 21

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

  • See where Texas lands on the list of which states have the worst drivers in the nation. (SmartAsset, June 23, 2021)
  • Read about a recent proposed rule from the FDA that would establish a new category of over-the-counter hearing aids. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, October 19, 2021)
  • Find out which weather and climate disasters of 2021 have topped $1 billion in losses in the U.S. (National Centers for Environmental Information, updated October 8, 2021)
  • Track construction and traffic updates for I-35 through the Austin area. (Texas Department of Transportation, ©2021)

 

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.

Bill Statistics, October 21

87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session Statistics

 

The 87th Legislature, 3rd Called Session, adjourned Sine Die on October 19, 2021. The last day for the Governor to sign or veto bills is Monday, November 8.

The following bill statistics were calculated on October 21, 2021, at 8:15 a.m.

 

  House Bills (HBs) &
House Joint Resolutions (HJRs)
Senate Bills (SBs) &
Senate Joint Resolutions (SJRs)
Filed 183 66
Reported out of committee 6 14
Passed by chamber of origin 5 12
Referred to committee in opposite chamber 3 11
Reported out of committee in opposite chamber 3 8
Passed opposite chamber 3 8
Sent to governor (bills only) 3 6
Signed by the governor (bills only) 0 0

 

Constitutional Amendment Election, November 2021

The Texas Constitution is changed through amendments, which are proposed by the Texas Legislature and accepted or rejected by the voters. A constitutional amendment is initially considered by the legislature in the form of a joint resolution.

 

On November 2, 2021, Texas voters will have a chance to consider eight constitutional amendments proposed during the 87th Legislature, Regular Session. This year's proposed amendments cover a wide range of topics, including taxation, candidates for judicial office, and more.

 

For background and analysis of the proposed amendments that will appear on the election ballot, see the House Research Organization's Constitutional Amendments Proposed for November 2021 Ballot, and the Texas Legislative Council's Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments.

 

Since the current Texas Constitution was adopted in 1876, voters have approved 507 amendments. For information on how to search for proposed and adopted amendments from other sessions, see our Constitutional Amendments webpage.

 

Amendments Proposed for the November 2, 2021, ballot by the 87th Legislature

 

Joint Resolution Proposition Number Topic
HJR 143 1 The constitutional amendment authorizing the professional sports team charitable foundations of organizations sanctioned by the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association or the Women’s Professional Rodeo Association to conduct charitable raffles at rodeo venues.
HJR 99 2 The constitutional amendment authorizing a county to finance the development or redevelopment of transportation or infrastructure in unproductive, underdeveloped, or blighted areas in the county.
SJR 27 3 The constitutional amendment to prohibit this state or a political subdivision of this state from prohibiting or limiting religious services of religious organizations.
SJR 47 4 The constitutional amendment changing the eligibility requirements for a justice of the supreme court, a judge of the court of criminal appeals, a justice of a court of appeals, and a district judge.
HJR 165 5 The constitutional amendment providing additional powers to the State Commission on Judicial Conduct with respect to candidates for judicial office.
SJR 19 6 The constitutional amendment establishing a right for residents of certain facilities to designate an essential care giver for in-person visitation.
HJR 125 7 The constitutional amendment to allow the surviving spouse of a person who is disabled to receive a limitation on the school district ad valorem taxes on the spouse’s residence homestead if the spouse is 55 years of age or older at the time of the person’s death.
SJR 35 8 The constitutional amendment authorizing the legislature to provide for an exemption from ad valorem taxation of all or part of the market value of the residence homestead of the surviving spouse of a member of the armed services of the United States who is killed or fatally injured in the line of duty.

 

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 14

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

  • Read about differences in symptoms of COVID-19 and the flu. (John Hopkins Medicine, updated September 28, 2021)
  • Review monthly border security reports. (Texas Department of Public Safety, accessed October 13, 2021)
  • Explore major recurring reports from the Congressional Budget Office. (Congressional Budget Office, accessed October 13, 2021)
  • Consider the benefits and drawbacks of daily low-dose aspirin use for lowering the risk of a first heart attack or stroke. (U.S. Preventive Services Task Force, October 12, 2021)

 

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.

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 7

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

  • Read a recent report related to disproportionality and disparities in child removals carried out by child protective services. (Texas Department of Family & Protective Services, October 1, 2021)
  • Track mail delays by zip code. (The Washington Post, updated September 30, 2021)
  • Review a proposed rule related to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. (Federal Register, September 28, 2021)
  • Explore a mapping tool that predicts where lead pipes are most likely to be. (Fast Company, October 4, 2021)

 

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.