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Current Articles & Research Resources, June 6, 2024

Jun 6

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.

  • Explore state juvenile justice legislation from 2008 to the present. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated May 3, 2024)
  • Check real-time water levels in Texas reservoirs. (Texas Water Development Board, accessed June 5, 2024)
  • Read about Direct File, the Internal Revenue Service’s free tax filing option, made available permanently. (U.S. Department of the Treasury, May 30, 2024)
  • Consider the newly-announced data privacy and security initiative established within the Texas Attorney General’s office for the enforcement of Texas privacy laws. (Attorney General of Texas, June 4, 2024)

 

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 June 6, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 75 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of June 10, 2024

Jun 5

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

June 10, 2024
House Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. The Committee will be hearing invited testimony only regarding the following agencies: Electric Reliability Counsel of Texas, Office of Public Utility Counsel, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Texas Department of Information Resources, and Texas Sunset Advisory Commission.

 

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June 11, 2024
House Committee on Insurance
Subject: Examine the appraisal process within property and casualty insurance policies.

Subject: Review current funding mechanism for the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA). Examine the role of reinsurance in relation to TWIA. Examine catastrophe funding in relation to TWIA.

Subject: Study how Artificial Intelligence(AI)has impacted the insurance industry. Examine what functions AI serves in enhancing efficiency and risk assessment, and examine potential concerns.

Subject: Examine the growth of the Texas surplus lines market.

Subject: Study current factors affecting the property and casualty insurance market in Texas. Compare the Texas insurance market to other states with respect to affordability in homeowners' insurance.

 

Senate Committee on Border Security
Charge: Securing the Texas-Mexico Border: Review state and local agencies' participation in border security.

 

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June 12, 2024
House Committee on Elections
Charge: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

  • SB 1070, relating to the interstate voter registration crosscheck program; and
  • SB 1750, relating to abolishing the county elections administrator position in certain counties.

The Committee will also be hearing invited testimony only regarding Texas election law relating to ballot secrecy and those tasked with administering and monitoring this process.

 

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Charge: Electricity Market Design: Assess state efforts to provide incentives for new thermal generation. Review and report on the state of the electricity market in Texas and issues impacting the reliability and resiliency of the Texas electric grid. Consider rulemaking related to wholesale market design, including the impact of these changes on grid reliability, market revenues, costs to consumers, and the efficiency of operations. Examine and report on the direct and indirect impacts that variable resources, such as wind and solar, have on grid resiliency, consumer prices, and market uncertainty. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 1500, 88th Legislature.

Charge: Transmitting Texas Power: Identify the future electric transmission and distribution system needs of the state and recommend ways to reduce barriers to constructing the necessary electric infrastructure to support the growing demand and changes in technology. Review and make any necessary recommendations to enhance legislation passed during the 88th legislative session, including the status of projects to improve the safety and resiliency of the transmission system, as well as the effect of current and future projects on consumer costs.

Charge: Impact of Bitcoin Mining on the Texas Electric Grid: Study the impact of energy-intensive cryptocurrency mining facilities on the Texas electric grid. Report on whether any changes should be made to ERCOT demand response programs and large flexible load registration requirements to limit the impact of these facilities on system reliability and consumer costs.

 

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June 13, 2024
Senate Committee on Natural Resources & Economic Development
Charge: Preserving Texas History: Review the historical site district designation and how such designations contribute to cultural preservation, tourism, and community identity. Report on what impact this historical designation would have on property values, site preservation, and educational opportunities within certain districts including, but not limited to, the San Jacinto Battlefield, the Alamo complex, Washington-on-the-Brazos, and Goliad.

Charge: Overcoming Federal Incompetence: Consider the impact to the Texas economy from federal interference including, but not limited to, restricting liquified natural gas exports, supply chain limitations, a net-zero carbon agenda, and other air emission provisions. Report on what impact these federal interferences will have on the Texas economy and workforce, and make recommendations to minimize the damage to Texas.

Charge: Protecting Local Taxpayers: Examine current use and imposition of local option hotel occupancy taxes. Make recommendations to enhance accountability and increase transparency in the use of these funds.

 

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This entry was posted on June 5, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 128 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 30, 2024

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.

  • Find election results for the primary runoff election. (Texas Elections Division, Texas Secretary of State, accessed May 29, 2024)
  • Track hurricanes live. (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration, accessed May 29, 2024)
  • Review ways to avoid misleading AI-generated election information. (Brennan Center for Justice, May 16, 2024)
  • See how Americans view inflation. (Pew Research Center, May 23, 2024)
  • Check the air quality in your area. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed May 29, 2024)

 

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 May 30, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 140 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of June 3, 2024

May 29

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

June 4, 2024
House Committee on Human Services
Charge: Medicaid Contracting: Evaluate the appropriate role of the state in overseeing Medicaid managed care. The intention of this hearing is for the committee to be educated on the current Medicaid managed care contracting practices and models. The committee will not participate in conversation specific to any outstanding protests, appeals, or litigation relating to the STAR/CHIP, STAR+PLUS, or STAR Kids procurements.

 

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June 5, 2024
Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Charge: Bail Reform: Examine “charitable bail organizations” that pay bail for defendants, thereby relieving them of any financial incentive to appear in court. Study the operations and funding sources of these organizations. Make recommendations to ensure accountability for “charitable bail organizations” that provide free bond for arrested individuals that re offend while out on bond; further restrict these organizations’ ability to post bail for violent individuals; and promote transparency.

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Criminal Justice passed by the 88th 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:

  • Senate Bill 1004, relating to creating the criminal offense of tampering with an electronic monitoring device and to certain consequences on conviction of that offense.

 

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June 6, 2024
Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Charge: Stopping Child Predators: Study how predators use Deepfake technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to harm or exploit children. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 2700, 88th Legislature, relating to prosecution of certain criminal offenses prohibiting sexually explicit visual material involving children. Recommend additional legislation to protect children as technology continues to evolve.

 

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This entry was posted on May 29, 2024 at 2:00 PM and has received 403 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 23, 2024

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.

  • Explore the Global Scrap Monitor for tracking steel and aluminum scrap metal. (International Trade Administration, accessed May 22, 2024)
  • Read about link rot. (Pew Research Center, May 17, 2024)
  • Consider harmful effects of AI (artificial intelligence) and ways to mitigate those effects. (Electronic Privacy Information Center, updated May 2024)
  • Browse the Texas Open Data Portal. (© 2024 State of Texas)
  • Find missing children posters. (© 2024 National Center for Missing & Exploited Children)

 

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 May 23, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 215 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of May 27, 2024

May 22

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

May 29, 2024
Senate Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Maintaining Election Security: Identify threats to Texas’s election integrity, including those from “Big Tech” and foreign entities. Recommend ways to neutralize such threats. Additionally, evaluate the countywide polling place program in Texas. Make recommendations to address countywide polling issues, such as increased wait times, longer travel distances, supply shortages, and reporting irregularities. Evaluate current laws that prohibit political subdivisions and public school districts from using government resources for illegal electioneering. Make recommendations to strengthen these laws and put a stop to illegal electioneering.

Charge: Protecting Texas Land and Assets: Evaluate strategic land and asset acquisitions in Texas by foreign entities that threaten the safety and security of the United States. Further, evaluate large-scale purchases of single-family homes by domestic entities and its impact on housing affordability for Texas families. Make recommendations to ensure Texans are secure from foreign threats and homes are affordable in our state.

Charge: Banning Delta 8 and 9: Examine the sale of intoxicating hemp products in Texas. Make recommendations to further regulate the sale of these products, and suggest legislation to stop retailers who market these products to children.

 

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This entry was posted on May 22, 2024 at 1:00 PM and has received 264 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: May 2024

May 21

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our May 2024 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. AI Needs You: How We Can Change AI's Future and Save Our Own
By Verity Harding
Explores the history and current development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology. Looks critically at the current and future usage of AI in subjects including the space race, in vitro fertilization (IVF), and the internet. Advocates for thoughtful, intentional policy to regulate AI at both the national and global levels. Encourages a more human approach to AI development to lessen the potential harm done by its implementation.
Princeton University Press, 2024, 274 pages
303.48 H263 2024

 

 

2. The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness
By Jonathan Haidt
Examines the mental health challenges for people popularly referred to as "Gen Z" who are born after 1995 and the first generation to experience childhood with smartphones and social media. Explores the research showing the ways in which a “phone-based childhood” disrupts child development, causing a steep decline in teen mental health and well-being. Presents simple rules to provide a foundation for a healthier childhood in the digital age. Concludes with recommendations that parents, schools, governments, and tech companies can take to address the crisis.
Penguin Press, 2024, 385 pages
305.230973 H149 2024

 

 

3. Educational Pluralism and Democracy: How to Handle Indoctrination, Promote Exposure, and Rebuild America's Schools
By Ashley Rogers Berner
Proposes adopting the education pluralism model to reform the structure and content of U.S. public school systems - to serve both the individual and the common good. Examines the benefits of educational pluralism, an internationally common model, in which the government funds public, private, and parochial schools, and holds them accountable for similar content and assessments. Suggests that using the same curriculum across the board provides a variety of viewpoints without indoctrinating students to their merits. Offers pluralism advocates concrete steps they can use to gain support and advance new legislation.
Harvard Education Press, 2024, 199 pages
371.010973 B525 2024

 

 

4. Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood
By Gretchen Sisson
Analyzes a collection of personal accounts from women who relinquished their infants to adoption between 2000 and 2020. Observes the path to adoption in the U.S. is often a constrained choice for the birth mothers because abortion is inaccessible, or parenthood is untenable. Examines historical and current problems with the U.S. adoption system and its role in separating families. Addresses the long-term effects of adoption on birth mothers and criticizes the American adoption system for being coercive and failing to provide alternative options or support.
St. Martin's Press, 2024, 307 pages
362.7340973 SI623 2024

 

 

5. The Rural Voter: The Politics of Place and the Disuniting of America
By Nicholas F. Jacobs and Daniel M. Shea
Discusses the widening gulf between rural and urban American voters through the analysis of historical data from 1824 to more recent detailed surveys of rural voters. Suggests that the current rural-urban divide is significant enough to endanger political competition and the U.S. governing system. Researches rural voters' new political identity, their shifting support from Democrats to Republicans in the 1980’s, and their emergence as a crucial voting bloc. Argues the current rural-urban divide is less about policy differences and more about people’s different perceptions of other people and community identity. Offers insight on how to bridge the divide.
Columbia University Press, 2024, 472 pages
320.5209173 J17 2024

 

 

6. Rough & Tumble: Texas Political Combat
By Lloyd W. Criss, Jr.
Details the life and experiences of former Representative Lloyd W. Criss, Jr. Written by Criss, this memoir describes his early life, his introduction to politics, and his work while in the Texas House of Representatives from 1979 to 1991. Presents stories involving other Texas politicians on topics like political campaigning, lobbying, and legislative deal-making.
Contains quotes and details of former members of the Texas Legislature and other public officials including: State Senator Chet Brooks, Lieutenant Governor Bob Bullock, Texas Speaker Billy Clayton, Governor Bill Clements, State Representatives Bob Davis and Tom DeLay, U.S. Representative Lloyd Doggett, Texas Speaker Gib Lewis, State Senator A.R. 'Babe' Schwartz, and Chancellor John Sharp.
Library Use Only. Call us or place an online order through the New & Noteworthy website to make arrangements to view this book in the library.
D. Criss Pub., 2009, 162 pages
328.764 C868C 2009

 

 

 

This entry was posted on May 21, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 196 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 16, 2024

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.

  • Consider water safety issues with statistics from 2019-2023. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 14, 2024)
  • Find fact checks in Spanish. (Poynter Institute, May 14, 2024)
  • Read about how cyberattacks affect financial stability. (International Monetary Fund, April 9, 2024)
  • Calculate inflation across decades. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, accessed May 15, 2024)

 

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 May 16, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 214 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 9, 2024

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.

  • Review a fact sheet on pro-Russian hacktivists. (Cybersecurity & Infrastructure Security Agency, May 1, 2024)
  • Search for foreign gifts to and contracts with institutions of higher education. (U.S. Department of Education, accessed May 8, 2024)
  • Explore the 2024 State of the Air report. (American Lung Association, April 24, 2024)
  • Find rest areas along Texas roads and highways. (Texas Department of Transportation, © 2024)

 

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 May 9, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 369 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of May 13, 2024

May 8

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th Session

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.

 

May 14, 2024
Senate Committee on Health & Human Services
Charge: Cancer Prevention: Identify and recommend ways to address the growing impact of cancer on Texans by evaluating state investments in cancer prevention and screenings including, but not limited to, “CT,” “MRI, and “PET” scans. Study and make recommendations on funding adequacy for prevention efforts at the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT).

Charge: Health Insurance: Examine the Texas health insurance market and alternatives to employer-based insurance. Identify barriers Texans face when navigating a complex health insurance market. Make recommendations that help individuals obtain health care coverage.

Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on Health and Human Services passed by the 88th 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:

  • Senate Bill 25, relating to support for nursing-related postsecondary education, including scholarships to nursing students, loan repayment assistance to nurses and nursing faculty, and grants to nursing education programs.

 

Senate Subcommittee on Higher Education
Charge: Monitor the Ban on Discriminatory DEI Policies: Examine the implementation of Senate Bill 17, 88th Legislature, which bans discriminatory “DEI” initiatives at institutions of public higher education. Review and report on the progress each institution has made in aligning university policies and procedures with the provisions of Senate Bill 17, ensuring Texas college campuses foster equal opportunity and reward individual merit and achievement.

Charge: Combating Antisemitism on Texas College Campuses: Review campus policies to prevent antisemitism. Study the oversight Texas institutions of higher education have over the formation and operations of student organizations, including access to campus facilities and use of campus property. Make recommendations to prevent antisemitism on college campuses, while protecting First Amendment rights.

Charge: Campus Free Speech: Examine the procedures of Texas public institutions of higher education designed to protect the First Amendment free speech rights of faculty, staff, and students. Monitor and report on compliance Senate Bill 18, 86th Legislature, and make recommendations for any needed reforms.

 

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May 15, 2024
House Committee on House Administration
Topic: The committee will consider the budget for the following: Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations

 

Senate Committee on Local Government
Charge: Secure Texas Against “Squatters”: Review current laws relating to “squatters” or those claiming adverse possession of property. Make recommendations to streamline the process forthe immediate removal of “squatters” and to strengthen the rights ofproperty owners’.

 

Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs
Charge: Veteran Mental Health: Review current programs that provide direct and indirect mental health services to veterans in Texas. Identify barriers to accessing mental health resources for rural veterans. Make recommendations to improve access to mental health support for all veterans.

Charge: Support Service Database for Texas Veterans: Review and report on the progress toward the creation of a single database to facilitate the seamless provision of veteran benefits by state agencies. Make recommendations to improve coordination among state, federal, and local agencies and others that provide benefits to veterans.

Charge: Strengthen Support for Veteran Housing: Study the accessibility and affordability of veteran housing. Identify factors that contribute to veteran homelessness. Determine whether the Veterans Land Board has the tools necessary to maximize their assistance to eligible borrowers in home lending. Make recommendations to update state standards related to veteran home loans and housing.

 

Senate Committee on Water, Agriculture, & Rural Affairs
Charge: Water System Reliability: Evaluate water systems in Texas and identify opportunities to better equip those systems to serve the public. Review the coordination of relevant state agencies dealing with Texas water issues and identify opportunities for improved coordination and effectiveness.

 

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This entry was posted on May 8, 2024 at 2:30 PM and has received 719 views. Print this entry.

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