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

• Read about ways Supreme Court justices' tenure may be modified. (Congressional Research Service, March 24, 2021)
• Consider whether drone surveillance without a warrant could violate the Fourth Amendment. (Cato Institute, March 24, 2021)
• Explore new features of Congress.gov. (Library of Congress, March 22, 2021)
• Discover land-grant universities across the nation. (National Institute of Food and Agriculture, accessed March 25, 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 March 25, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 836 views. Print this entry.

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

• Explore the economic impact of small airports all over Texas. (Texas Department of Transportation, ©2020)
• Review minimum wage state by state. (Pew Research Center, March 12, 2021)
• See governors' education proposals according to their State of the State addresses. (Education Commission of the States, 2021)
• Read the 2020 Internet Crime Report. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, March 17, 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 March 18, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 928 views. Print this entry.

Friday, March 12th marked the 60-day bill filing deadline for the 87th Regular Session. When the deadline had passed, a total of 6,919 bills and joint resolutions had been filed. How does this compare to previous sessions?

This entry was posted on March 15, 2021 at 4:45 PM and has received 2655 views. Print this entry.

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

• Read about methods some states use to identify early signs of local economic distress. (Pew Research Center, March 4, 2021)
• See recommendations for what to do once you have been fully vaccinated for COVID-19. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, March 9, 2021)
• Consider how absentee voting affected the 2020 election. (Stanford Institute for Economic Policy Research, March 2021)
• Review examples of defensive gun use that suggest the benefits of fewer restrictions on gun ownership. (The Heritage Foundation, March 10, 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 March 11, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 834 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review tips to help stop robocalls and robotexts. (Federal Communications Commission, March 2, 2021)
• Explore state-by-state information related to vaccine distribution for people with disabilities. (Johns Hopkins University, accessed March 3, 2021)
• Read about how census data delays could affect elections in 2022. (Politico, March 1, 2021)
• Note that the USDA has issued a disaster designation for 23 counties in Texas related to the severe winter weather in February. (Office of the Texas Governor, March 3, 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 March 4, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 861 views. Print this entry.

In this occasional post, we feature topics receiving widespread media coverage, tips for finding bills filed during the 87th legislative session, and related resources.

The COVID-19 pandemic has inspired legislation addressing how the state may respond to future pandemics, and, more broadly, to future disasters.

Legislation directly related to COVID-19 can be found under the subject COVID-19 via the Texas Legislature Online website.

Bill Search
Select Bill Search under the Search tab. Click on Select subject criteria to display a list of subjects that can be used in your search.

Scroll down the list and highlight COVID-19, then click the top arrow button to move the subject into the Selected: column. Use the arrow buttons to select and de-select subjects. Click OK. The Bill Search screen will reappear. Click Search in the top left corner to display a list of bills that include the selected subject.

To narrow a subject search, choose additional subjects …

and select the And radio button before clicking on Search.

Narrowing a subject search usually results in fewer bills that are more specific to the issues of interest.

While some legislation has been filed specifially in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, additional legislation has also been filed to address how Texas responds to disasters in general, including disaster that occur when the Legislature is not in session. Use the broader subject term Disaster Preparedness & Relief to locate legislation related to disaster response and mitigation.

Tile image, "Novel Coronavirus SARS-CoV-2," by NIAID is licensed under CC BY 2.0 / Cropped and resized from original.

This entry was posted on March 3, 2021 at 3:30 PM and has received 2009 views. Print this entry.

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our February 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. Chasing Success and Confronting Failure in American Schools
By Larry Cuban
Examines what constitutes educational success in the United States. Argues that American education historically, both in terms of academic achievement metrics and reform efforts, has not been "stable nor consistent." Considers multiple factors that complicate academic success such as politics and policies, social dynamics, school district leadership, and differences in communities.
Harvard Education Press, 2020, 260 pages
363.33 ES74F 2020

 

 

 

2. George T. Ruby: Champion of Equal Rights in Reconstruction Texas
By Carl H. Moneyhon
Profiles George T. Ruby, one of the most widely known of the first generation of Black politicians in Texas. Chronicles Ruby's emergence as a political leader, Radical Republican and delegate to the Constitution Convention of 1868, and his election to the Texas State Senate in 1869. Details his legislative priorities in the Texas Senate and his efforts to ensure the protection of basic civil rights of African Americans.
Center for Texas Studies and TCU Press, 2020, 413 pages
976.4 M742G 2020

 

 

 

3. The Governor and the Colonel: A Dual Biography of William P. Hobby and Oveta Culp Hobby
By Don Carleton
Chronicles the lives and careers of William P. Hobby and Oveta Culp Hobby. Details their political, journalistic, and public service careers, from William's duties as the 27th Governor of Texas and his success in creating a major media empire to Oveta's role in leading the Women's Army Corps and her subsequent rise on the national stage in a presidential cabinet position. Illustrates how the esteemed husband-and-wife "Hobby Team" had a distinct impact on Texan and American history in politics, journalism, war, and philanthropy across the twentieth century.
Briscoe Center for American History, 2020, 885 pages
976.4 C192G 2021

 

 

4. South to Freedom: Runaway Slaves to Mexico and the Road to the Civil War
By Alice L. Baumgartner
Examines how thousands from the South Central United States escaped slavery by crossing the southern border into Mexico after the country's abolition of the practice in 1837. Details how political relations between Mexico and the U.S., including Southerners' hopes of annexing Texas and invading Mexico, only fueled a sectional crisis in the United States. Highlights the experiences of individuals from the time, including enslaved persons seeking their freedom.
Basic Books, 2020, 365 pages
973.7115 B348S 2020

 

 

5. Governor's Budget, 2022-2023
By Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Presents Governor Greg Abbott's budget priorities for the fiscal 2022-2023 biennium, which include investment in healthcare, workforce development and unemployment, public safety, election security and education. Discusses the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic and suggests specific areas where federal and state funding should be directed to strengthen pandemic relief.
Office of the Governor, 2021, 31 pages
L1800 B859 2022-23G

 

 

 

6. Sources of Revenue: A History of State Taxes and Fees in Texas, 1972-2020
By Texas Comptroller's Office
Reviews the history and current status of Texas revenue sources back to 1972 in a easy-to-navigate document. Includes an overview of major taxes, fees, and assessments by subject, along with helpful tables and indexes. Lists major revenue related bills by session. Provides a resource that allows policy makers and the general public access to an often complicated and difficult topic — taxes.
Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, Fiscal Management Division, 2021, 272 pages
C2600.8 SO85 2021

 

This entry was posted on February 26, 2021 at 3:45 PM and has received 929 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review The Legislative Process in Texas. (Texas Legislative Council, February 2021)
• Explore flood risk by street address or zip code. (First Street Foundation, accessed February 24, 2021)
• Read about how more women are holding seats in state legislatures. (Stateline, February 24, 2021)
• Consider a state-by-state guide on when and where to get a COVID-19 vaccination. (The Wall Street Journal, February 23, 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 February 25, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 834 views. Print this entry.

Today's Committee Meetings on the LRL website is a calendar of legislative committee hearings with links to agendas. Below are resources related to upcoming hearings.

February 25
House Committees on Energy Resources and State Affairs (Joint Hearing)
The Committees on State Affairs and Energy Resources will hold a joint public hearing to consider the factors that led to statewide electrical blackouts during the recent unprecedented weather event; the response by industry, suppliers, and grid operators; and changes necessary to avoid future power interruptions.

The committee will hear invited testimony only on:
- Statewide electrical blackouts-contributing factors and response

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Purpose: The purpose of this hearing is to examine extreme weather condition preparedness and circumstances that led to the power outages as directed by Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT). The committee will also review generator preparedness and performance, utility outage practices, natural gas supply, and the reliability of renewable generation, as well as overall ERCOT system resilience.

March 4
Senate Committee on Jurisprudence   CANCELED
Purpose: The purpose of this hearing is to examine the legal responsibilities that the Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT) and the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUC) owe to the people of Texas. The committee will review the legal framework for governance and oversight of these two entities, their relationship to one another under the law, potential legal liabilities, and the legal limits on increases to consumer electricity rates during an emergency.

The committee will also examine price gouging under the Texas Deceptive Trade Practices-Consumer Protection Act and receive an update from the judiciary on how the judicial system is managing its operations during the ongoing statewide emergency.

Reports:

• "AG Paxton Sues Griddy, LLC Energy Company: Customers Hit with Exorbitant Energy Bills" (Press Release), Office of the Attorney General, March 1, 2021
• Energy Emergencies | The State Legislative Role in Planning and Response (PDF version), National Conference of State Legislatures, January 22, 2021
• Reliability Guideline: Generating Unit Winter Weather Readiness – Current Industry Practices – Version 3, North American Energy Reliability Council, Reliability and Security Technical Committee, approved December 15, 2020
• Report on Existing and Potential Electric System Constraints and Needs, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), December 2019
• Modernizing the Electric Grid: State Role and Policy Options, National Conference of State Legislatures, November 2019
• The South Central United States Cold Weather Bulk Electric System Event of January 17, 2018, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corporation, July 2019
• Scope of Competition in Electric Markets of Texas: Report to the 86th Legislature (Previous Scope of Competition Reports, 1997-2017), Public Utility Commission of Texas, January 2019
• 2018 Long-Term System Assessment for the ERCOT Region, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), December 2018
• Dynamic Stability Assessment of High Penetration of Renewable Generation in the ERCOT Grid, Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT), April 19, 2018
• Report on Extreme Weather Preparedness Best Practices (Mandated by SB 1133, 82nd Legislature, R.S.), Quanta Technology, LLC for Public Utility Commission of Texas, September 27, 2012
• Investigation of the ERCOT Energy Emergency Alert Level 3 on February 2, 2011, Potomac Economics, Ltd. for Public Utility Commission of Texas, April 21, 2011
• Report on Outages and Curtailments During the Southwest Cold Weather Event of February 1-5, 2011: Causes and Recommendations, Federal Energy Regulatory Commission and North American Electric Reliability Corporation, August 2011
• The Story of ERCOT: The Grid Operator, Power Market & Prices Under Texas Deregulation (Includes a history of ERCOT), Texas Coalition for Affordable Power, February 2011
• Public Utility Commission of Texas (Sunset Review Documents for 2012-2013 Review Cycle, 83rd Legislative Session), Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, September 2009–July 2013
• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (Sunset Review Documents for 2010-2011 Review Cycle, 82nd Legislative Session – Includes History and Major Events within ERCOT's Self Evaluation Report, September 2009), Texas Sunset Advisory Commission, September 2009–July 2011
• Electric Utility Response to the Winter Freeze of December 21 to December 23, 1989: An Evaluation of the Actions Taken by Texas Utilities to Correct Technical Plant Equipment Problems, Public Utility Commission of Texas, Electric Division, November 1990
• Texas Business and Commerce Code Chapter 17, Deceptive Trade Practices
• The Joe K. Longley-Philip K. Maxwell Deceptive Trade Practices Act Collection: Legislative Archive 1973-2001 and the Mark L. Kincaid Papers, 1995-2015, Legislative Reference Library

Articles:

• "Extreme Winter Weather is Disrupting Energy Supply and Demand, Particularly in Texas," Today in Energy, United States Energy Information Administration, February 19, 2021
• "Texas' Electricity Resources: Where Power Comes From — And How It Gets To You," Fiscal Notes, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, August 2020

Legislative Reports
Search interim committee studies on various topics. Search by charge keyword or by the following subjects:

• Electric Reliability Council of Texas (ERCOT)
• Electricity transmission and distribution
• Electricity supplies
• Natural gas
• Public Utility Commission of Texas
• Railroad Commission of Texas

Legislative Archive System
Search past legislation across sessions by subject from 1939-2019 in the Advanced Search:

• General Subject Index:
  • Business & Commerce--Trade Practices
  • Disaster Preparedness & Relief
  • Energy--Alternative Fuels
  • Energy--Conservation
  • Energy--Fuel Storage
  • Energy--General
  • Oil & Gas
  • Utilities--Electric
  • Utilities--Natural Gas
• Governmental Agencies:
  • ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS  (for bills from the 76th Legislature)
  • ELECTRIC RELIABILITY COUNCIL OF TEXAS (ERCOT)  (for bills from the 79th-86th Legislatures)
  • PUBLIC UTILITY COMMISSION
  • RAILROAD COMMISSION

The tile image, "electricity pylon" by fsse8info, is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. / Resized from original.

This entry was posted on February 23, 2021 at 1:00 PM and has received 2629 views. Print this entry.

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

• Locate the nearest warming center in your area. (Texas Department of Emergency Management, accessed February 17, 2021)
• Consider the long-term effects on the food supply chain in Texas from unprecedented winter storms. (Texas Department of Agriculture, February 16, 2021)
• Find information about the end of the driver's license expiration waiver. (Texas Department of Public Safety, February 12, 2021)
• Review winter storm resources and outages. (Public Utility Commission of Texas, ©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 February 18, 2021 at 3:15 PM and has received 712 views. Print this entry.