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

• Read about economic aspects of child care and early education. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 2021)
• Consider wage growth during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Pew Research Center, September 7, 2021)
• Find health care providers in your area. (U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, accessed September 23, 2021)
• Explore life expectancy estimates in the U.S. for 2020. (National Center for Health Statistics, July 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.

This entry was posted on September 30, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 938 views. Print this entry.

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. Growing Up in the Lone Star State: Notable Texans Remember Their Childhoods
By Gaylon Finklea Hecker and Marianne Odom
Presents 47 oral history interviews describing Texas in the early twentieth century: detailing how growing up in the Lone Star State benefited the interviewees. Recalls tales about the Great Depression, the two world wars, former slave colonies and sharecropper fields, the modern growth of major cities, the race to the moon, and a variety of other topics. Includes interviews with Representative Senfronia Thompson, former Representative Sarah Weddington, Ambassador Kay Bailey Hutchison, Ruth Simmons, Dan Rather, Lady Bird Johnson, and Richard Overton.
Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin, 2021, 442 pages
976.4 H449G 2021

 

 

2. The Plague Year: America in the Time of COVID
By Lawrence Wright
Recounts the events of the year 2020 and the COVID-19 pandemic in the United States in a journalistic style. Includes interviews with politicians and political aides, the developers of the mRNA vaccines, public health officials, and COVID-19 patients and their families.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2021, 322 pages
614.5 W947P 2021

 

 

3. The Union League and Biracial Politics in Reconstruction Texas
By Carl H. Moneyhon
Traces the establishment and role of the Republican Union League of America, a secret organization introduced in Texas in 1867 to mobilize new Black voters during Reconstruction. Details the achievements of the organization's biracial coalition of delegates and how it impacted Black voters and politicians, including former Texas Senator George T. Ruby, who was elected president of the Union League in 1868. Addresses the political controversies that led to its disbandment in 1871 by the Texas Republican Party and the effect its demise had on Black Texans.
Texas A&M University Press, 2021, 426 pages
305.8009764 M742UN 2021

 

 

4. Releasing the Butterfly: A Love Affair in Four Acts
By Max Sherman
Describes the decades-long love story and marriage of former Texas Senator Max Sherman and his wife, Gene Alice. Explores how the couple learned to navigate their life together as equals while he served as a member of the Texas Senate, president of West Texas A&M University in Canyon, and Dean of the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs at the University of Texas. Provides stories of their shared adventures, Texas politics, and ultimately, how they faced Gene Alice's struggle with Alzheimer's disease.
Max Sherman, 2020, 270 pages
920 SH553R 2020

 

 

5. Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 87th Regular Session, November 2, 2021, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Provides detailed information on the eight joint resolutions passed during the 87th Regular Session of the Texas Legislature that propose amendments to the Texas Constitution. Notes the amendments will be offered for approval by Texas voters in the upcoming November election. Includes extensive analysis, background information, comments from both supporters and opponents, the text of the joint resolution, and the ballot language.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 48 pages
L1400.7 C766 2021

 

 

6. Condensed Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 87th Regular Session, November 2, 2021, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Presents a one-page analysis for each proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that passed during 87th Regular Session and will appear on the upcoming November election ballot. Includes the text of the proposed amendment, a summary analysis, and a summary of comments made by supporters and opponents during the legislative process.
Texas Legislative Council, 2021, 10 pages
L1400.7 C766C 2021

 

This entry was posted on September 27, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1093 views. Print this entry.

Following each legislative session in Texas, organizations, state agencies, and other entities publish "wrap-ups" summarizing new laws and key legislative developments in areas ranging from education to real estate to water conservation. Wrap-ups can range from a simple list of bills to a detailed report that includes background information and expert analysis.
 

The LRL tracks legislative wrap-ups, as we find them to be an excellent research tool and summary of the topics covered during a particular session. Listed below is a short selection. To find one on a topic that interests you, check the websites of organizations or state agencies that focus on the issue, or contact the library for assistance.

State Agencies

Employees Retirement System of Texas (ERS)
87th Texas Legislature Sets Retirement Plan on Path to Solvency

Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC)
June 24 Open Meeting; Summary of the 87th Legislative Session

State Bar of Texas
The 87th Session: Overview

Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS)

• Summary of 2021 TRS-Related Legislation
• Governor Authorizes One-Time Supplemental Payment for Eligible TRS Retirees
• One-time Supplemental Payment FAQs

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)
Summaries of Selected Legislation Passed by the 87th Legislature, Regular Session

Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)

• Technology Legislation
• 87th Legislative Session Overview

Texas Department of Insurance (TDI)

• Senate Bill 22, 87th Legislature, Regular Session (2021)
• Commissioner's Bulletin #B-0023-21: Legislation Enacted - 87th Legislature, Regular Session, 2021
• Commissioner's Bulletin #B-0022021: SB 1367 Changes the Requirements for Certain Lines of Insurance
• Commissioner's Bulletin #B-0021-21: House Bill 1777 Annuity Transaction Changes

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)
87th Texas Legislature TDLR-Related Bills

Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS)
87th Legislative Session: 2021

• Summary of New Laws Impacting Handgun Licensing
• Summary of New Laws Impacting the Compassionate Use Program
• Summary of New Laws Impacting Private Security
• Summary of New Laws Impacting Texas Metals Program
• Summary of New Laws Impacting Vehicle Inspection

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
Keeping Texas Connected: Summary of Enacted Transportation and General Government Legislation (87th Legislature, 2021)

Texas Education Agency (TEA)
The Texas Education Agency Briefing Book on Public Education Legislation

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Summary of Higher Education Legislation: 87th Texas Legislature, Regular Session

Texas Workforce Commission (TWC)
Employment and Housing Laws Enacted During the 87th Legislature

Associations and Organizations

American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas
Texas 2021 Legislative Session: What changed for Texans?

Children at Risk
87th Texas Legislative Session Report: Wins and Missed Opportunities for Texas Children

Equality Texas (EQTX)

• Legislative Bill Tracker
• Legislative Session Wrap-Up: Our Community Mobilized with Strength and Heart

Meadows Mental Health Policy Institute
87th Texas Legislature Regular Sesssion Wrap Up

Nonprofit Law and Policy Blog
87th Texas Legislature, 2021 Regular Session: Summary of Issues Affecting Nonprofit Organizations

Texas Association of Business (TAB)
87th Legislative Session Recap

Texas Association of Counties (TAC)
2021 Legislative Analysis Report: 87th Legislature, Regular Session

Texas CASA
87th Legislative Overview: CASA Funding & Passed Legislation

Texas Collaborative for Healthy Mothers and Babies (TCHMB)
The 87th Legislature and Maternal and Infant Health

Texas District & County Attorneys Association (TDCAA)

• TDCAA Legislative Update: Week 20.1 (Sine Die)
• TDCAA Legislative Update: Week 21 (Vetoes)
• TDCCA Legislative Update: Called Session 2 - Sine Die

Texas Homeowners Association Law
Texas HOA Law - 2021 Legislative Update

Texas Hospital Association (THA)
Health Care and the 87th Texas Legislature: Outcomes for Hospitals

Texas Library Association (TLA)
Wrap up: Texas Legislative Session

Texas Medical Association (TMA)

• Physician-Led Results: 87th Legislative Session
• Physician-Led Results: Grassroots Advocacy Paid Off in Tangible Wins at the Capitol

Texas Municipal League (TML)

• Legislative Update No. 22 — Eighty-Seventh Legislature Adjorns: Cities Retain Their Voice
• Legislative Update No. 35 — Second Special Session Ends and Third Announced

Texas Pharmacy Association (TPA)
2021 Texas Legislative Wrap-Up: 87th Texas Legislative Session

Texas Rural Water Association (TRWA)
Summary of 87th Legislative Session Bills that Impact the Texas Water Business

Texas Taxpayers and Research Association (TTARA)

• Wrap-Up for the 87th Legislature: Tax and Fiscal Policy
• Wrap-Up for the 87th Legislature: School Finance & Public Education

This entry was posted on September 24, 2021 at 4:45 PM and has received 2132 views. Print this entry.

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

• Read about drought monitoring, policies, and research in the U.S. (Congressional Research Service, September 16, 2021)
• Track obesity prevalence via maps. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, September 15, 2021)
• Consider how likely people are to access news through social media. (Pew Research Center, September 20, 2021)
• Explore how public transportation may affect health equity. (Health Affairs Health Policy Brief, July 2021)
• Review new guidance related to applying for Coronavirus Capital Project Fund payments. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, September 20, 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.

This entry was posted on September 23, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 731 views. Print this entry.

87th Legislature, 2nd Called Session Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on September 23, 2021.

This entry was posted on September 23, 2021 at 10:45 AM and has received 658 views. Print this entry.

The General and Special Laws of Texas, often referred to as the "session laws," constitute a complete set of all bills passed into law by each session of the Texas legislature. The Secretary of State assigns each passed Act a chapter number. Following each legislative session, the Acts are arranged in chapter-number order and published as a bound set.

Session law chapter numbers are included in session law citations, which are listed after each section of code in the Texas statutes as a means to track the legislative history of a statute.

For example, Texas Government Code, Sec. 405.014. Acts of the Legislature, includes the following session law citations:

 

Note: For a thorough legislative history of a Texas statute, see the bound volumes of Vernon's Texas Codes and Statutes Annotated, which are available in the LRL's collection.

 

For a discussion and examples of various session law citations, see Chapter 7, Subchapter C, Section 7.64. Session Laws and Bills from the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual.


87th Legislative Session

The Secretary of State's Bills and Resolutions webpage lists the session law chapter assigned to each bill that is enacted into law.

For example, when looking at the list of House Bills from the 87th Regular Session, the first column with the heading "Bill," lists the bill numbers. The second column with the heading "Chapter," contains the corresponding chapter number.




For questions about bill/chapter numbers for bills from the 87th Regular Session, please contact the Secretary of State's office at (512) 463-5561.


1st — 87th Legislative Sessions

Session law chapter numbers for previous sessions are available online through the Legislative Archive System on the LRL's website.

To view the complete bill/session law chapter cross reference table for a session, use the "Search by session law chapter" option.
Select a legislative session in the drop-down menu and leave the chapter box blank, then click on "Search by chapter."

 

For example, the bill/chapter cross reference table for the 87th Regular Session lists the session law chapters, the corresponding bills, and the bill captions or bill subjects.

 

This entry was posted on September 20, 2021 at 10:10 AM and has received 1124 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore information about uninsured children by state. (Center for Children & Families (CCF), ©2021)
• Consider statistics that illustrate the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines. (The Heritage Foundation, August 12, 2021)
• Find out how to hide your house on online mapping services such as Google Maps. (Lifehacker, September 2, 2021)
• See when is the best time to view fall foliage in different parts of the country. (SmokyMountains.com, accessed September 15, 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.

This entry was posted on September 16, 2021 at 3:20 PM and has received 785 views. Print this entry.

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.

• Texas Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council
• Guide to 2021 Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council, September 2021
• Past Committee Meetings (see Handouts), House Committee on Redistricting
• 2020 Census Data Releases, Texas Demographic Center, accessed September 7, 2021
• "2020 Census Statistics Highlight Local Population Changes and Nation's Racial and Ethnic Diversity," United States Census Bureau, August 12, 2021
• Redistricting Data Program, United States Census Bureau
• Redistricting (including redistricting legislation, 1901-present), Legislative Reference Library

September 13
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 U.S. Census data

September 15
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 U.S. Census data

September 18
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 U.S. Census data

This entry was posted on September 13, 2021 at 10:00 AM and has received 533 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore the affordable housing gallery by region of the state. (Texas Department of Housing & Community Development, accessed September 8, 2021)
• Read about improving access to monoclonal antibody therapy. (Health Affairs blog, September 7, 2021)
• Find resources related to preparing, planning for, and managing natural disasters. (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, August 31, 2021)
• Consider the role of solar energy in the nation's power grids. (U.S. Department of Energy, September 8, 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.

This entry was posted on September 9, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 602 views. Print this entry.

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.

• Texas Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council
• Guide to 2021 Redistricting, Texas Legislative Council, September 2021
• 2020 Census Data Releases, Texas Demographic Center, accessed September 7, 2021
• "2020 Census Statistics Highlight Local Population Changes and Nation's Racial and Ethnic Diversity," United States Census Bureau, August 12, 2021
• Redistricting Data Program, United States Census Bureau
• Redistricting (including redistricting legislation, 1901-present), Legislative Reference Library

September 7
Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 census data and the upcoming legislative redistricting process

September 8
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: Public testimony regarding 2020 U.S. Census data, invited testimony from the State Demographer

Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 census data and the upcoming legislative redistricting process

September 9
House Committee on Redistricting
Topic: Public testimony regarding 2020 U.S. Census data

Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 census data and the upcoming legislative redistricting process

September 10
Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 census data and the upcoming legislative redistricting process

September 11
Senate Special Committee on Redistricting
Topic: 2020 census data and the upcoming legislative redistricting process

This entry was posted on September 7, 2021 at 12:00 PM and has received 471 views. Print this entry.