The Legislative Reference Library (LRL) staff reviews the text of all bills that become law to determine their effective dates and enters the information into Texas Legislature Online (TLO) and on the library's website.

Effective Dates on the LRL's Website

The library compiles a detailed list of bills and their effective dates following each regular and called session. The Effective Dates for Bills list for the 87th Legislature, Regular Session, is now available on the LRL's website.

 

Effective Dates on TLO

To find the effective date of a bill, look up the bill in TLO and see the "Last Action" field in the history window.

For example, the "Last Action" field for SB 2, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, indicates that the bill is effective immediately and includes the effective date.

 

Sometimes a bill becomes effective on a specific date other than the beginning of the fiscal year (i.e., September 1) or the beginning of the calendar year (i.e., January 1). In these cases, the effective date is not stated in the "Last Action" field, but instead is indicated further down the page in the Actions table.

For example, the effective date for SB 197, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, is provided in the "Comment" column of the last action in the Actions table.

 

In some cases, sections of a bill may have different effective dates. These other effective dates are provided in the "Remarks" field.

For example, the "Last Action" field for HB 766, 87th Legislature, Regular Session, refers to the comments in the "Remarks" field because Section 2 of the bill has a different effective date from the rest of the bill.

 

You can also view lists of bills by effective date on TLO.

1. On TLO's homepage, click on the "Reports" link under Additional Searches.

 

2. The "General Reports" section has links to four lists of bills by effective date.

 

For House and Senate bills from the 87th Regular Session (2021), the two largest groupings are:

• Bills Effective Immediately: 329
• Bills Effective on September 1st: 666

 

For more information about bill effective dates, see the Section 3.14 of the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual.

This entry was posted on August 2, 2021 at 12:20 PM and has received 1347 views. Print this entry.

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

• Track air quality related to wildfires and wildfire smoke. (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, accessed July 27, 2021)
• Review public opinion related to the U.S. Supreme Court. (Gallup, July 28, 2021)
• Look up local sales tax rates in Texas by address, city, and zip code. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, accessed July 27, 2021)
• Read about how natural gas flaring in Texas is on the decline. (Railroad Commission of Texas, July 28, 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 July 29, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 1059 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our July 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. America's National Anthem: "The Star-Spangled Banner" in U.S. History, Culture, and Law
By John R. Vile
Presents the history and cultural significance of "The Star-Spangled Banner," the national anthem of the United States, in an encyclopedic format. Serves as a comprehensive resource on several aspects of the anthem, including the song's origin, its selection by Congress, laws and legal decisions related to its performance, and its impact on different demographic groups. Addresses controversies, such as the political protests undertaken during renditions of the anthem to highlight racial inequality
ABC-CLIO, 2021, 350 pages
973.52 V699 2021

 

 

2. Lone Star Vistas: Travel Writing on Texas, 1821-1861
By Astrid Haas
Examines and compares Mexican, German, and Anglo-American travel writings from military-scientific exploration, colonization, and professional journeys during the antebellum period. Argues these early accounts contributed to the public image of Texas at a time of political and social transformation. Highlights individual writers and how their backgrounds affected their views on nature, white settlement, military engagement, indigenous resistance, and slavery.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 215 pages
917.6405 H112 2021

 

 

3. Out of Many, One: Portraits of America's Immigrants
By George W. Bush
Presents a new collection of portraits painted by former President George W. Bush. Spotlights the inspiring journeys of 43 men and women who immigrated to the U.S. and their contributions to the life and prosperity of the nation. Highlights immigrant values that are often viewed as distinctly American, including optimism and gratitude, a willingness to strive and to work, a deep sense of patriotism, and a spirit of self-reliance.
Crown Publishers, 2021, 208 pages
759.13 B963O 2021

 

 

4. The Republican Party of Texas A Political History
By Wayne J. Thorburn
Explores the history of the Republican Party in Texas, from its founding in the mid-1800s to its current state dominance. Concludes that while Republicans have a strong foothold in the state, the party is fighting changing demographics, and ideologies from within and outside of its own party.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 387 pages
324.2764 T487R 2021

 

 

5. Reverberations of Racial Violence: Critical Reflections on the History of the Border
By Sonia Hernandez and John Moran Gonzalez, editors
Compiles a series of essays inspired by the 1919 Joint Committee to Investigate the Ranger Force, which addressed the violence committed against Mexican-Americans by Texas Rangers. Explores the historical context surrounding the Ranger investigation, the life of Brownsville Representative José Tomás Canales (whose activism led to the investigation), and how the history of violence against Texans of Mexican descent has been rediscovered by a new generation of historians, writers, and filmmakers.
University of Texas Press, 2021, 310 pages
363.209764 H557R 2021

 

 

6. Final Results of Sunset Reviews 2020–2021
By Sunset Advisory Commission
Summarizes the actions taken by the 87th Legislature on 19 entities that were under review by the Sunset Commission prior to the Regular Session. Highlights major changes to the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR), Teacher Retirement System of Texas (TRS), Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA), Texas Animal Health Commission (TAHC), and the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement (TCOLE). Provides the Sunset bill number, fiscal impact for 2022-2023, and final action taken on each of the entities reviewed.
Sunset Advisory Commission, 2021, 49 pages
S1500.8 AN79 2021

 

This entry was posted on July 28, 2021 at 3:35 PM and has received 581 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore state and local laws related to eviction by state. (Legal Services Corporation, ©2021)
• Read about Latino heritage sites prosed for protected area designations. (Hispanic Access Foundation, July 7, 2021)
• Consider oversight and governance of childhood early care and education. (Education Commission of the States, June 3, 2021)
• Review which states enacted COVID-19 liability protections for businesses. (Stateline, July 21, 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 July 22, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 830 views. Print this entry.

87th Legislature, 1st Called Session Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on July 20 at 8:40 a.m. The numbers will continue to change as the special session progresses.

This entry was posted on July 20, 2021 at 10:15 AM and has received 999 views. Print this entry.

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

• Consider the 2022 State Water Plan. (Texas Water Development Board, adopted July 7, 2021)
• Explore Texas lakes and reservoirs. (Texas Water Development Board, accessed July 14, 2021)
• Track which states have broadband strategies in place. (Pew Charitable Trusts, June 28, 2021)
• See how fast your internet connection needs to be depending on what you do online. (Consumer Reports, July 13, 2021)
• Review an updated number of deaths related to the February winter storms. (Texas Department of State Health Services, July 13, 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 July 15, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 698 views. Print this entry.

87th Legislature, 1st Called Session Statistics

The following bill statistics were calculated on July 13 at 10:45 a.m. The numbers will continue to change as the special session progresses.

This entry was posted on July 13, 2021 at 12:00 PM and has received 815 views. Print this entry.

Recognition months, weeks, and days call attention to special events, health issues, industries, people, and more. Some are codified in Texas Government Code, Chapter 662, and highlighted on our website Texas Holidays and Recognition Days, with options to sort by holiday name, type, month, bill, and session.

 

Texas legislators also pass resolutions and bills in each session to commemorate certain dates. Below are the recognition months, weeks, and days observed with resolutions and bills by the 87th Legislature from September — December 2021. Click here to see a list of all the recognition dates from this past session. This list includes all enrolled bills and resolutions with Texas Legislature Online (TLO) subjects:

• Holidays (I0395)
• Resolutions--Official Designations--10-Year Significant Dates (I0016)
• Resolutions--Official Designations--Special Dates (I0721)

 

2021:
September
Pulmonary Fibrosis Awareness Month (HR 1499)
September 11: Patriot Day 2021 (HR 1674), Official State Bison Herd of Texas Day (SR 336)
September 16: Diez y Seis de Septiembre 2021 (HR 2094)
September 17: Constitution Day (HR 1501), National POW/MIA Recognition Day (HR 1503)
September 26: Gold Star Mother's Day (HR 1505)
September 30: Vanessa Guillén Day (HR 2090)

October
Mental Health Condition and Substance Use Disorder Parity Awareness Month (HB 2595)
Second Week in October: Indigenous Peoples' Week (HCR 62)

November
Ukrainian Genocide Remembrance Month (HR 253)
American Diabetes Month (HR 1603)
November 1-2: El Día de los Muertos (HR 2099)
November 5: Type 1.5 Diabetes Awareness Day (HCR 29)
November 7: Victims of Communism Day (HB 1057)
First Week of November: Festival of Diwali (HR 1012)
November 11: Veterans Day (HR 922)
November 18: National Rural Health Day (HR 1605)
November 23: Texas Association of Builders Day (HR 977)
November 25: Thanksgiving (HR 1766)

December
December 1: Rosa Parks Day (HB 3481)
December 25: Christmas (HR 1607)

Note: Buddy Check Day, 11th Day of Each Month:
"The 11th day of each month is Buddy Check Day to encourage veterans to contact other veterans, including those with whom they served, who may need assistance." (SB 460, effective September 1, 2021)

To see recognized months, weeks, and days from the 86th Legislature, please view our blog post from December 30, 2019.

This entry was posted on July 9, 2021 at 4:25 PM and has received 1314 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore historical federal legislative information online. (Library of Congress, July 6, 2021)
• Consider rent relief options for landlords and tenents. (Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, ©2021)
• Review flood maps for your area. (Federal Emergency Management Agency, updated June 22, 2021)
• Read about federal criminal law and constitutional issues related to domestic terrorism. (Congressional Research Service, July 2, 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 July 8, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 811 views. Print this entry.

The 1st Called Session of the 87th Legislature begins tomorrow at 10 a.m.

For information about called sessions, commonly referred to as special sessions, check out the "Special Sessions of the Texas Legislature" page on the Legislative Reference Library (LRL) website. Here, you can find past special session dates with gubernatorial proclamations, statutory authority, frequently asked questions, Texas Attorney General Opinions, and other resources. If you are accessing this page from within the Capitol Complex, you can also view articles related to special sessions from our clips database.

 

Special Sessions and Years includes links to official proclamations and session topics assigned by the governor for the current special session and historical special sessions back to the 9th Legislature. We have added information about the 87th Legislature, 1st Called Session, including Governor Abbott's proclamation and topics.

This entry was posted on July 7, 2021 at 4:20 PM and has received 838 views. Print this entry.