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Interim Hearings – Week of September 23, 2019

Sep 18

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 86th 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.

 

September 26

Senate Select Committee on Mass Violence Prevention & Community Safety 

Topic: Organizational and informational matters

This entry was posted on September 18, 2019 at 1:30 PM and has received 996 views. Print this entry.

Legislative Intent in the Minutes

Sep 16

posted by TexasLRL in Committees, Legislative process

Many LRL researchers are interested in legislative intent—understanding why a bill becomes law, and who proposes ideas or reforms. However, "intent" is not always explicitly spelled out.

 

In more recent years, legislative intent often can be found in bill analyses within the bill files. It sometimes is recorded in the text of the bill or in the house or senate journals.

 

As we work on digitizing past committee minutes, we have also found some instances where legislative intent was added to the record in committee hearings.

Both of these intent documents are noted as reports in the committee minutes database records for their respective committees and sessions. You also can access them via the bills' records in the Legislative Archive System.

 

Conducting legislative research involves consulting a wide range of documents and close attention to detail. But checking everything is worth it—you never know which resource will provide the information you need!

This entry was posted on September 16, 2019 at 9:00 AM and has received 1200 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 12

Sep 12

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 monthly state Revenue Watch. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, updated September 2019)
  • Read about the end of the Driver Responsibility Program. (Texas Department of Public Safety, August 27, 2019)
  • Get a list of party leaders in the Congress going back to 1789. (Congressional Research Service, September 4, 2019)
  • Review power-saving tips for homes. (Public Utility Commission of Texas, accessed September 12, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Supreme Court report: Contentious cases." By Mark Walsh. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, September-October 2019, pp. 18-19.
    Highlights high-profile issues the United States Supreme Court will consider during the term that begins on October 7, including LGBT rights, the future of DACA [Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals], and gun rights.
  • "Homeschooling and educational freedom: Why school choice is good for homeschoolers." By Kerry McDonald. CATO Briefing Papers, September 4, 2019, pp. 1-8.
    Presents an overview of homeschooling trends. Argues educational freedom creates momentum for families to seek alternatives to conventional mass schooling.
  • "Manufacturing in Texas: Factory of the future; How is DFW positioned for the industry's future; Incentives." By Evan Hoopfer. Dallas Business Journal, August 30, 2019, pp. 5-10, 12, 14-21.
    Questions whether Texas should be doing more to attract advanced manufacturing jobs. Mentions the state scored a "C" in manufacturing industry health.
  • "The American economy: Areas of concern." Economist, August 31st-September 6th, 2019, pp. 19-20.
    Points out weaknesses in several economic sectors, including manufacturing, construction, and energy industry employment. Mentions the present slowdown may prove politically consequential.
  • "Schools face Latino kids' fears after shootings." By Stephen Sawchuck, Denisa R. Superville, and Hector Alejandro Arzate. Education Week, August 21, 2018, pp. 5-6.
    Examines how school districts in Texas are responding to the mass shooting in El Paso, in which Hispanics were targeted. Discusses steps being taken by schools to alleviate the fears of Hispanic students and their families.
  • "Can Medicaid expansion prevent housing evictions?" By Heidi L. Allen, et al. Health Affairs, September 2019, pp. 1451-1457.
    Evaluates the possible correlation between expansion of Medicaid and lower rates of evictions. Concludes that health insurance coverage is associated with improved housing stability.
  • "Emergency department closures and openings: Spillover effects on patient outcomes in bystander hospitals." By Renee Y. Hsia and Yu-Chu Shen. Health Affairs, September 2019, pp. 1496-1504.
    Suggests high-occupancy hospitals are the most sensitive to nearby emergency department [ED] closures, while other hospitals absorb increased demand in emergency care without significant negative impact on patient outcomes. Observes that significant effects appear only when driving time to an ED changes by 30 minutes or more. Notes utilization as well as distance from neighboring EDs should be taken into account when deciding to open or close an ED.
  • "Campus sexual assault policies." By Molly Sarubbi. Internet Resource, August 26, 2019, pp. 1-6.
    Reviews 2019 state legislative activity relating to postsecondary campus sexual assault. Highlights legislation, including Texas bills, that address awareness and prevention, reporting guidelines and procedures, and assessment and accountability.
  • "Lessons learned from the opioid epidemic." By Joshua M. Sharfstein and Yngvild Olsen. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), September 3, 2019, pp. 809-810.
    Summarizes missteps made by physicians, regulators, hospitals, and other entities, that made possible the significant scale of the opioid epidemic. Calls for reflection and accountability moving forward.
  • "The rush to restrict gun rights." By Charles C.W. Cooke. National Review, August 26, 2019, pp. 14-15.
    Argues that evidence does not support the effectiveness of proposed gun-control policies and that the First and Second Amendments should be defended. Advocates for surveillance of hate groups and prosecution when warranted and for technology companies to decline to provide technical assistance and support to them.
  • "Protecting elections from social media manipulation." By Sinan Aral and Dean Eckles. Science, August 30, 2019, pp. 858-861.
    Calls for more research into how social media can affect and influence elections. Explores some of the challenges of measuring the manipulation of social media, including consumer privacy concerns.
  • "It's a wrap! How nurses advocated for their profession in the 86th legislative session." By Cindy Zolnierek. Texas Nursing, Summer 2019, pp. 8-9.
    Summarizes passed and failed legislation of interest to nursing professionals.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on September 12, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1105 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of September 16, 2019

Sep 11

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 86th 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.

 

September 17

Topic: Organizational meeting and invited testimony on implementation of Executive Orders issued by Governor Abbott on September 5, 2019, and other items under the committee's jurisdiction

 

September 18

House Committee on House Administration 

Topic: Budget for a recently appointed select committee

This entry was posted on September 11, 2019 at 3:35 PM and has received 882 views. Print this entry.

Legislative Wrap-ups, 86th Legislature

Sep 9

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, 86th Session

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

 

Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission (TABC)

 

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)

 

 

Texas Council for Developmental Disabilities

 

Texas Department of Criminal Justice (TDCJ)

 

Texas Department of Information Resources (DIR)

 

Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR)

 

Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)

 

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB)
Summary of Higher Education Legislation - 86th Texas Legislature

 

Texas Judicial Council
Texas Judiciary Legislative Update

 

Associations and Organizations

American Planning Association

 

National Association of Social Workers (Texas Chapter)

 

State Bar of Texas

 

Texas Association of Business (TAB)

 

Texas Association of School Boards (TASB)

 

Texas Homeowners Association Law

 

Texas Land Title Association (TLTA)

 

Texas Municipal League (TML)

 

Texas NORML (National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws)

 

Texas Nurse Practitioners (TNP)

 

Texas Water Conservation Association
86th Texas Legislature Wrap-Up

This entry was posted on September 9, 2019 at 8:30 AM and has received 1875 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 5

Sep 5

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.

  • See how paid sick leave by industry has changed over time in the last decade. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 30, 2019)
  • Track which states have smart meter opt-out policies. (National Conference of State Legislatures, August 20, 2019)
  • Review statistics related to domestic terrorism. (Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, Syracuse University, August 29, 2019)
  • Read about Texas' 10-year transportation plan. (Texas Department of Transportation, August 29, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Inclusive approach to immigrants who are undocumented can help families and states prosper." By Erica Williams, Eric Figueroa, and Wesley Tharpe. Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, August 21, 2019, pp. 1-22. Discusses the contributions of undocumented immigrants to state economies and finances. Includes 50-state chart of state and local taxes paid by unauthorized immigrants. Mentions the Texas law banning sanctuary cities.
  • "As white supremacists twist history, scholars seek to right the record." By Emma Pettit. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 16, 2019, p. A23.
    Explains academics are becoming more active in refuting what they consider a distortion of history being promulgated by white supremacists. Quotes one scholar as stating "our complacency becomes complicity" when academics do not speak out against the mistaken vision of medieval Europe as an all-white space.
  • "Texas and the 1115 Medicaid waiver: Action needed to ensure federal aid." By David Green, Spencer Grubbs, and Joyce Jauer. Fiscal Notes, August 2019, pp. 1, 3-5.
    Highlights the importance of renewing Texas' section 1115 Medicaid waiver, set to provide the state with up to $25 billion from 2018 to 2022, for the medically uninsured and "safety net" hospitals. Details the amounts of federal funding available under the waiver for uncompensated care and the Delivery System Reform Incentive Payment Program [DSRIP].
  • "New discipline and safety policies for Texas." By Morgan Craven. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), June-July 2019, p. 3.
    Details bills passed by the 86th Legislature that focus on school safety in response to school shootings.
  • "Success of opt-in organ donation policy in the United States." By Alexandra Glazier and Thomas Mone. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), August 27, 2019, pp. 719-720.
    Argues that the United States should build on its current opt-in organ donation policy to increase the number of registered donors. Cites data demonstrating that opt-in policies in the United States are associated with higher organ donation rates than almost every country with an opt-out policy as the legal default.
  • "Changes in opioid-involved overdose deaths by opioid type and presence of benzodiazepines, cocaine, and methamphetamine — 25 states, July–December 2017 to January–June 2018." By R. Matt Gladden, et al. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), August 30, 2019, pp. 1-8.
    Observes that opioid deaths decreased in the study time period by five percent overall and decreased for prescription opioids and illicit synthetic opioids, excluding illicitly manufactured fentanyl [IMF]. Highlights that IMF deaths increased eleven percent, noting the need for broadened outreach efforts to persons at high risk for IMF overdoses.
  • "Criminal immigrants in Texas in 2017." By Alex Nowrasteh. Policy Brief (CATO Institute), August 27, 2019,
    pp. 1-7.
    Finds that conviction and arrest rates for illegal immigrants were lower than those of native-born Americans in just about every case, including homicide, sex crimes, larceny, and most other crimes.
  • "Success of red flag laws might depend on mental health teams." By Christine Vestal. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), August 26, 2019, pp. 1-7.
    Highlights the behavioral services and threat assessment unit within the Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office in Florida, which works to identify people who may pose a threat of violence and intervenes if warranted. Suggests having this type of unit in place may be necessary to make red flag laws work.
  • "Power shift." By Michael E. Webber. Texas Monthly, September 2019, pp. 100-105, 122, 127-128.
    Outlines how Texas could be a leader in the energy industry, both economically and environmentally, by supporting natural gas, wind, and solar infrastructure and markets.

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on September 5, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1099 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of September 9, 2019

Sep 4

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 86th 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.

 

September 10 

House Committee on Redistricting (Austin)  

Topic: 2021 legislative redistricting process and 2020 Census data

 

September 12

House Committee on Elections (Houston) 

Topic: Countywide voting

House Committee on Redistricting (San Antonio) 

Topic: 2021 legislative redistricting process and 2020 Census data

This entry was posted on September 4, 2019 at 9:00 AM and has received 1182 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 29

Aug 29

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 the latest urban mobility report. (Texas A&M Transportation Institute, August 2019)
  • See what states are doing to address robocalls. (Attorney General of Texas, August 22, 2019)
  • Read about recent legislation on health care costs by state. (Health Affairs Blog, August 22, 2019)
  • Consider accountability ratings for school districts and charter schools. (Texas Education Agency, August 15, 2019)

Members of the Texas legislative community may request the articles below here or by calling 512-463-1252.

  • "Scholars seek to revive gun studies after 20-year chill." By Steven Johnson. Chronicle of Higher Education, August 16, 2019, p. A25.
    Highlights the effects of the 1996 Dickey Amendment which prevented Centers for Disease Control and Prevention funds from being used to "advocate or promote gun control" and how it led to less research related to guns. States that a 2018 clarification of the amendment and increased awareness of mass shootings is leading to increased research.
  • "Late term abortions: Abortion war." Economist, August 24th-30th, 2019, pp. 20-22.
    Examines both sides of the abortion debate and how controversial third-trimester procedures are becoming fertile ground for political campaigns.
  • "Texas state jails: Time for a reboot?" By Patrick Graves. Fiscal Notes, August 2019, pp. 6-10.
    Discusses the history and evolution of the state jail system and questions its effectiveness in reducing recidivism. Quotes Representative James White.
  • "Accountability measures set to respond to public pressure." By Morgan Craven. IDRA Newsletter (Intercultural Development Research Association), June-July 2019, p. 4.
    Highlights three bills from the 86th Legislature and describes the changes they make to assessments and measurements of college readiness: HB3, SB213, and HB3906.
  • "Jobs or college?" By Robert Cherry. National Review, August 12, 2019, pp. 32-34.
    Argues for an increased emphasis on certificate and apprenticeship programs for students leaving high school with limited academic skills. Explains students are too often directed to degree programs which are not completed and suggests the skill-based approach will be more successful.
  • "Migrating out of the job market." By Steven A. Camarota. National Review, August 12, 2019, pp. 22-23.
    Examines the decline in labor force participation and links it partly to technological change and globalization, and partly to the education level of some workers. Suggests immigration reforms designed to limit the flow of less skilled immigrants could reinvigorate labor force participation.
  • "Reevaluating the effects of federal financing in higher education." By Veronique de Rugy and Jack Salmon. Policy Brief (Mercatus Center, George Mason University), August 13, 2019, pp. 1-13.
    Examines whether more federal aid is the correct treatment for the problem of rising tuition prices. Finds that federal student aid does not do much to make college more affordable and may actually be increasing costs.
  • "Eliminating vaping." Texas Lone Star (Texas Association of School Boards), August 2019, pp. 22-23.
    Discusses the epidemic of youth vaping and recently proposed federal legislation that would prohibit e-cigarette use in schools. Related information at: https://www.tomudall.senate.gov/imo/media/doc/One-Pager_Final.pdf.
  • "No defense." By Neena Satija. Texas Monthly, September 2019, pp. 94-99, 129-132, 138-139, 170-175.
    Argues that Texas judges have too much power, and that this imbalance in the criminal justice system, along with overloaded attorneys and inadequate funding, deprives poor and indigent people of justice. Notes Senator Rodney Ellis' work in 2001 to pass the Texas Fair Defense Act, as well as other legislation that has helped provide data on indigent cases.
  • "Parts one and two: The crisis in access to medical care." By R. Brent Cooper, et al. Texas Tech Law Review, Spring 2019, pp. 393-398.
    Outlines briefly the history of tort reform from 1977 up to 2003, when the Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act was passed. Provides an introduction to a special issue on tort reform and health care liability, authored by individuals associated with the Texas Alliance for Patient Access [TAPA].
  • "Preface: The crisis that was created." By Glenn W. Cunningham. Texas Tech Law Review, Summer 2019, pp. 619-625.
    Argues that the premise behind the Medical Malpractice and Tort Reform Act was faulty and that the legislation has not improved access to health care, as was intended. Introduces a special issue authored by individuals associated with the Texas Trial Lawyers Association [TTLA].

The Legislative Reference Library compiles this weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. Professional librarians review and select articles from more than 300 periodicals, including public policy journals, specialized industry periodicals, news magazines, and state agency publications. Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles using our online form.

This entry was posted on August 29, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1171 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: August 2019

Aug 27

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the six titles from our August 2019 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. Superpower: One Man's Quest to Transform American Energy
By Russell Gold
Profiles Houston renewable energy entrepreneur Michael Skelly, who helped create the second largest wind energy company in the United States, and later founded Clean Line Energy Partners. Discusses the evolution of the wind energy industry, farmers embracing the new "cash crop," landowners fighting overhead wires, and utility executives seeking to block renewable energy development.
Simon & Schuster, 2019. 319 pages.
333.79 G563S 2019


 

 

2. Old and Sick in America: The Journey Through the Health Care System
By Muriel Gillick
Illustrates the older patient's experience with the United States' health care system through a series of case studies. Pairs vignettes with data and analysis that reveal influences on health care by pharmaceutical corporations, device manufacturers, health insurance companies, and other outside entities. Reveals the shortcomings of health care for the elderly and suggests patient-centered reform.
University of North Carolina Press, 2017. 300 pages.
362.1084 G414O 2017


 

 

3. Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 86th Regular Session, November 5, 2019, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Reviews each of the 10 joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution that were enacted during the 86th Texas Legislature. Provides background information, detailed analysis, comments from both supporters and opponents, and the text of each joint resolution to assist voters during the November election.
Texas Legislative Council, 2019. 47 pages.
Online at: https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/amendments/analyses19.pdf
L1400.7 C766 2019


 

 

4. Condensed Analyses of Proposed Constitutional Amendments, 86th Regular Session, November 5, 2019, Election
By Texas Legislative Council
Provides a one-page analysis for each proposed amendment to the Texas Constitution that will appear on the upcoming November election ballot. Includes a summary analysis, a summary of comments, and comments made by supporters and opponents during the legislative process.
Texas Legislative Council, 2019. 12 pages.
Online at: https://tlc.texas.gov/docs/amendments/analyses19_condensed.pdf
L1400.7 C766C 2019


 

 

5. Building Bridges to Tomorrow: Summary of Enacted Legislation, 86th Legislature (2019)
By Texas Department of Transportation
Highlights key bills passed during the 86th legislative session that impact the state transportation system as well as daily operations of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT). Summarizes each bill and explains the impact on TxDOT. Includes a list of memorial highway designations and an index to bills included in compilation.
Texas Department of Transportation, 2019. 152 pages.
Online at: http://ftp.dot.state.tx.us/pub/txdot-info/sla/86th-legislative-summary.pdf
T1320.8 SU63B 2019


 

 

6. United States Life Tables, 2017
By Elizabeth Arias and Jiaquan Xu
Analyzes U.S. life expectancy and survivorship statistics by race, Hispanic origin, and sex, based on age-specific death rates in 2017.
National Center for Health Statistics, 2019. 65 pages.
Online at: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr68/nvsr68_07-508.pdf
304.64 UN3D 2019


 

 

This entry was posted on August 27, 2019 at 3:15 PM and has received 1069 views. Print this entry.

Bills Effective, September 1, 2019

Aug 26

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Legislative process

On September 1, 2019, 820 bills passed during the 86th Legislature will take effect. In addition, provisions of 25 bills passed during the 86th Legislature will become effective.

 

Sections of bills passed during the 85th Legislature, 84th Legislature, and 83rd Legislature also will take effect on September 1.

 

To keep up with new laws throughout the year, check the Library's list of bill effective dates.

This entry was posted on August 26, 2019 at 9:00 AM and has received 8923 views. Print this entry.

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