Thursday, February 23 marked the 45th day of the 88th Regular Session. That means we're 3/4 of the way to the 60-day bill filing deadline, which is Friday, March 10, 2023.

For those who are curious, here is a look at bill statistics* in comparison to a similar period last session.

*Statistics generated from Texas Legislature Online's Bill Search.

This entry was posted on February 27, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 670 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review top cybersecurity risks for 2023. (Bipartisan Policy Center, February 2023)
• Consider housing market valuations in the context of flooding risks. (Nature, February 16, 2023)
• Search for state legislation related to 911 services. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated February 15, 2023)
• Find out if your vehicle is subject to a recall. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, accessed February 22, 2023)
• Read about a fatal disease in rabbits spreading eastward in Texas. (Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, February 21, 2023)

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 February 23, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 526 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our February 2023 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 or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

1. Biennial Revenue Estimate 2024-2025
By Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Projects the available revenue lawmakers have for state programs and services through the remainder of the 2023 fiscal year and the upcoming 2024-25 biennium. Includes summary tables, revenue estimates, fund details (Schedules I-III), and an economic outlook for Texas.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2023, 99 pages
C2600.3 R322 2024-25

 

 

2. Budget 101: A Guide to the Budget Process in Texas
By Senate Research Center
Provides a broad overview of the Texas biennial budget process, including the roles of the Legislative Budget Board (LBB), the Comptroller of Public Accounts (CPA), the State Auditor’s Office (SAO), and the Office of the Governor. Highlights how the general appropriations bill moves through the legislative process. Discusses how the budget is administered and the sources of state revenue that fund the budget.
Senate Research Center, 2023, 85 pages
L1803.8 B859B 2023

 

 

3. Public Utility Commission of Texas, Electric Reliability Council of Texas, Office of Public Utility Counsel: Sunset Staff Report with Commission Decisions
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Presents the Sunset Commission’s decisions on statutory recommendations which will form the basis of the Sunset bill for the following entities: Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC), Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), and the Office of Public Utility Counsel (OPUC). Includes modifications and new recommendations raised during the public hearing. Notes the Sunset review of these entities was moved up two years to monitor legislative changes made in response to Winter Storm Uri’s impact on the Texas electric grid.
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2023, 122 pages
S1500.8 P96UD 2023

 

 

4. Sources of Revenue: A History of State Taxes and Fees in Texas, 1972-2022
By Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
Details the history and current status of Texas revenue sources back to 1972. Profiles major state taxes and fees collected by presenting information on when they were enacted as well as their administration, rate and base changes, allocations, and statutory authority. Includes tables of legislative sessions and their associated major tax, fee, revenue-related bills, and taxes that have been repealed or abolished since 1972.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, 2023, 274 pages
C2600.8 SO85 2023

 

 

5. What's Prison For? Punishment and Rehabilitation in the Age of Mass Incarceration
By Bill Keller
Examines the American prison system and mass incarceration through the experiences of inmates and corrections officials throughout the nation. Argues for prison reform and supports programs that provide rehabilitative assistance for reintroduction to society. Presents examples and data from U.S. prisons with innovative programs as well as European prison models.
Columbia Global Reports, 2022, 159 pages
365 KK29W 2022

 

 

6. Marijuana Federalism: Uncle Sam and Mary Jane
By Jonathan H. Adler, editor
Reviews states’ efforts to legalize marijuana across the United States. Examines the relationship between state and federal regulations of marijuana, including issues that arise when state and federal policies differ. Addresses the effects that different policies and laws have on areas such as law enforcement and banking. Provides a brief review of cannabis support in Texas during the 2018 elections.
Brookings Institution Press, 2020, 195 pages
362.29 AD237M 2020

 

 

This entry was posted on February 22, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 377 views. Print this entry.

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

• Find places to charge electric vehicles for free. (Market Watch, February 11, 2023)
• Track where farm subsidies go. (Environmental Working Group, ©2023)
• Review the National Firearms Commerce and Trafficking Assessment (NFCTA). (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives, last reviewed February 2, 2023)
• Read about federal debt and the statutory debt limit. (Congressional Budget Office, February 15, 2023)

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 February 16, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 385 views. Print this entry.

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

• Consider issues related to consent to commercial data collection and use practices. (Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, February 2023)
• Explore a road map to developing electric vehicle charging infrastructure. (Great Plains Institute / Carbon Solutions, February 2023)
• Read about the infant-toddler child care costs crisis. (Ready Nation, February 2023)
• Review Americans’ top policy priorities. (Pew Research Center, February 6, 2023)

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 February 9, 2023 at 3:15 PM and has received 434 views. Print this entry.