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Interim Hearings – Week of May 14, 2018

May 7

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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 15

House Committees on Defense & Veterans' Affairs and Economic & Small Business Development (10:00 AM, Joint Hearing)

Charge: Economic impact of the aviation, aerospace & defense manufacturing industry in Texas; military veterans transitioning into the workforce; manufacturing industry in the state

 

House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs (1:00 PM) 

Charge: Homeless veterans in Texas 

Charge: Monitor agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature; implementation of SB 27, 85th Legislature, R.S., and the related Veterans Mental Health Program, as well as SB 578, 85th Legislature, R.S., and the development of the Veterans Suicide Prevention Action Plan

 

House Committee on Economic & Small Business Development (1:00 PM) 

Charge 1: Hurricane Harvey's economic and workforce impact on the state and private sector; job training resources

Charge 6: Monitoring agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature

 

 

House Select Committee on Opioids & Substance Abuse

Charge: Implementation of legislation passed by the 85th Legislature regarding Prescription Monitoring Program; prescribing of addictive drugs; overutilization and diversion of addictive prescriptions

 

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce

 

May 16

House Select Committee on Cybersecurity (San Antonio)  

Topic: Cybersecurity at the local, state, and federal levels including risks, incidents, preventative measures, and advancements in detection

Topic: Cybersecurity education, curriculum, training, workforce, and outreach to increase interest in the technology career field

 

May 17

House Committee on Public Health

Charge: Children with mental illness, including trauma- and grief-informed practices; school- or community-based mental health services to children and role of Texas Education Agency and regional Education Service Centers

This entry was posted on May 7, 2018 at 9:31 AM and has received 1271 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, May 3

May 3

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Week in review, Research Resources

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

  • Consider maps and data visualizations related to urban issues. (Ash Center for Democratic Governance and Innovation, accessed May 2, 2018)
  • Explore the U.S. Reports collection of U.S. Supreme Court decisions. (Library of Congress, accessed May 2, 2018)
  • Review the Traffic Safety Culture Index for recent insights into driver, cyclist, and pedestrian behaviors. (AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, March 2018)
  • Read about vectorborne diseases and their prevalence and consequences in the United States. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 1, 2018)

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

  • "What if the problem isn't the president, it's the presidency?" By John Dickerson. Atlantic Monthly, May 2018, pp. 46-52, 55-63.
    Argues that the role and duties of the United States President have gotten out of control and beyond the capabilities of one person. Discusses the historical evolution of the president's role and offers specific suggestions for reforming the office.
  • "A flood of threats to water systems." By Jacqueline Toth. CQ Weekly, April 23, 2018, pp. 22-24.
    Addresses how extreme weather events affect water utilities and their planning efforts. Discusses Houston's vulnerability and the city's current drought conditions in the wake of catastrophic flooding from Hurricane Harvey.
  • "Safe, legal and scarce." By Sandhya Raman. CQ Weekly, April 9, 2018, pp. 26-29.
    Examines state efforts to regulate abortion clinics. Profiles states with stringent regulations that result in the closing of some clinics.
  • "Assisted dying: Alohas and goodbyes." Economist, April 28th-May 4th, 2018, p. 28.
    Reports Hawaii is the seventh American jurisdiction to approve an assisted-dying law, modeled on Oregon legislation passed in 1997. Related information at: https://www.deathwithdignity.org/take-action/
  • "Innovative population health model associated with reduced emergency department use and inpatient hospitalization." By Donald Wesson, et al. Health Affairs, April 2018, pp. 543-550.
    Describes a case study of Baylor Scott & White's partnership with the Dallas Parks and Recreation Department to create a primary care clinic in a city recreation center. Details how improved access to health care, alongside exercise facilities, cooking demonstrations, and other wellness resources, was associated with lower emergency department and inpatient services usage by the center's patients.
  • "Reauthorizing the National Flood Insurance Program." By Howard Kunreuther. Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2018, pp. 37-51.
    Suggests ways to improve the National Flood Insurance Program. Considers how areas subject to floods and hurricanes are prepared for flooding events.
  • "State-level community benefit regulation and nonprofit hospitals' provision of community benefits." By Simone R. Singh, et al. Journal of Health Politics, Policy, and Law, April 2018, pp. 229-269 (Note Length).
    Examines how to design regulations that will encourage nonprofit hospitals to provide enough community benefits to justify their tax exemptions and meet policy makers' goals.
  • "Let me tell you how it will be: Tougher property tax exemptions." By Mark R. Adams. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, May 2018, pp. 28-35.
    Describes the financial impact of property tax exemptions held by nonprofits, including hospitals, on municipalities. Discusses state legislative initiatives in Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Michigan to amend legal structures around nonprofit charitable organizations and property tax exemptions.
  • "Texas surplus lines insurance: Reflections on attitudes, from the capitol to the courthouse." By Andrew Kunau. Journal of Texas Insurance Law, Spring 2018, pp. 4-11.
    Highlights legislative changes to the insurance surplus lines market through passage of HB2492 and HB1559, 85th Legislature, R.S. Considers how the 2016 Texas Supreme Court case, Seger v. Yorkshire Ins. Co. Ltd., influenced the recent legislative activity.
  • "Public pension plan investment return assumptions (2018)." National Association of State Retirement Administrators, Updated February 2018, pp. 1-8.
    Describes how investment return assumptions are established and evaluated in public pension funds, compared with public funds' actual investment experience. Includes Texas County & District, Texas ERS, Texas LECOS, and Texas Municipal in the appendix.
  • "Water and air quality: An opportunity for states." By Thomas Salzer. Natural Resources & Environment, Spring 2018, pp. 57-59.
    Considers the challenges local and state governments face when environmental issues and disasters strike close to home. Discusses the federal government's role in such disasters and uses the drinking water crisis in Flint, Michigan as an example.
  • "Lone stars." By Ashley Powers. New Yorker, April 30, 2018, pp. 30-35.
    Examines the constitutional sheriffs movement and its belief that the sheriff has the final say on a law's constitutionality in his county. Traces the movement from its 1970s beginning with William Potter Gale and the Posse Comitatus movement and highlights activities of the Constitutional Sheriffs and Peace Officers Association (CSPOA). See: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2018/04/30/the-renegade-sheriffs
  • "Distribution: Identify lead plumbing sources to protect public health." By Darren Lytle, et al. Opflow, March 2018, pp. 16-20.
    Recommends that water utilities should consider using diagnostic sampling to help identify lead sources in drinking water. Discusses different types of sampling methods. Related information at: https://www.awwa.org/resources-tools/water-knowledge/lead.aspx and https://www.epa.gov/ground-water-and-drinking-water/basic-information-about-lead-drinking-water#getinto
  • "Gerrymandering is out of control." By Eric Boehm. Reason, May 2018, pp. 26-34.
    Focuses on the current state of gerrymandered election districts and explains the various models that have been developed to draw more compact districts with minimum partisan intent. Suggests a new computer algorithm model may offer the best solution.
  • "American epidemic." By Melinda Wenner Moyer. Scientific American, May 2018, pp. 44-47, 50-54, 57.
    Explores the resurgence of infectious diseases in America's urban areas. Suggests that economic disparities and substance abuse drive infection rates higher.
  • "E-Verify immigrant job screening is a game of chicken, politics and state laws." By Tim Henderson. Stateline (Pew Charitable Trusts), April 27, 2018, pp. 1-6.
    Finds that E-Verify, a critical tool for preventing the illegal hiring of undocumented workers, has not been used uniformly even in the states that require its use.
  • "Austin Energy celebrates community solar project." Texas Public Power, April 2018, p. 8.
    Highlights Austin Energy's La Loma Community Solar Farm, "the largest community solar farm in the Electric Reliability Council of Texas [ERCOT] region."
  • "The intersection of mental illness and the criminal justice system." By Sarah Roland. Voice for the Defense, April 2018, pp. 27-34.
    Discusses the challenges of representing a mentally ill person. Explains the shortcomings in the current criminal justice system that arise as a defense attorney for a mentally ill defendant navigates the system.

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 May 3, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 1400 views. Print this entry.

Resource Highlight: Parliamentary Manuals

May 1

posted by TexasLRL in Resource highlights, Search tips

Want to improve your knowledge of parliamentary procedures before the 86th Legislature begins? The LRL has a resource guide for you! You can download Resources in Parliamentary Procedure as a PDF, peruse it on our website, or check out a physical copy.

 

Of course, studying Texas parliamentary procedure starts with the House and Senate Rules. When House and Senate rules are silent, the Legislature relies on resources such as Mason's Manual of Legislative Procedure and the practice of the United States Congress as reflected in published precedents such as Hinds’ Precedents and Cannon’s Precedents (see House Rule 14, Section 1, and Senate Rule 20.01).  Additional reference materials available in the LRL include the Texas Legislative Manual, historic Texas legislative procedure and rules materials, other congressional guides and precedents, constitutional reference materials, Hugh Brady's editions on Texas house and senate practices, and more. When available, the guide links to digitized resources.

 

Images, left to right: The Texas Legislative Manual; Constitution, Jefferson's Manual, and Rules of the House of Representatives; Texas House Rules; Senate Manual; and [Texas] Senate Rules are significant resources for understanding parliamentary procedure in Texas.

 

Senate Parliamentarian Noel Brown and House Parliamentarian Collier Read Granberry review a legislative manual for the 50th Legislature (1947). Collier Read Granberry Papers, Box 3Y92, The Dolph Briscoe Center for American History, The University of Texas at Austin.

This entry was posted on May 1, 2018 at 2:15 PM and has received 1942 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of May 7, 2018

Apr 30

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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 9

House Committee on Human Services

Charge 2: Managed Care: access to care and network adequacy contractual requirements, Medicaid participant and provider satisfaction within STAR, STAR Health, STAR Kids and STAR+PLUS managed care programs, future delivery of services under a managed care model to additional populations

House Committee on Land & Resource Management (Houston) 

Charge: Texas' eminent domain statutes and balance between infrastructure growth and fair compensation for landowners

 

May 10

House Committee on County Affairs

Charge 1: Emergency response activities; impact of natural disasters on county finances (Hurricane Harvey)

Charge 2: County ordinance and enforcement authority for flood risk in unincorporated rural and suburban areas

 

House Committee on Pensions (Dallas) 

Charge: TRS health care (immediate and long-term solvency and plan design of TRS-Care and TRS Active-Care)

Charge: Improving defined benefit programs (strengthening and improving Texas public pension systems)

Charge: Legislative oversight (Monitor agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature)

 

This entry was posted on April 30, 2018 at 12:48 PM and has received 1116 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 26

Apr 26

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Week in review, Research Resources

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

  • Explore partnerships between public school districts and charter schools. (National Conference of State Legislatures Blog, April 23, 2018)
  • Read about the alternative response option in child welfare cases. (Texas Public Policy Foundation, April 19, 2018)
  • Consider public concerns over misinformation online. (Pew Research Center, April 19, 2018)
  • Find a drop-off location to dispose of prescription medications safely. (Attorney General of Texas, accessed April 25, 2018)

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

  • "REAL ID: What Americans should expect." By Asia London Palomba. Christian Science Monitor, April 16, 2018, p. 17.
    Presents a Q&A discussion of the implementation of the REAL ID Act passed in 2005. Provides a map showing which states are in compliance with the law—Texas is compliant. Related information at: https://www.dhs.gov/xlibrary/assets/real-id-act-text.pdf
  • "When a grand idea grows old." By Karin Fischer. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 13, 2018, pp. A14-A18.
    Examines the 60-year-old California master plan of education which set up a three-tier system to educate a large population while still providing for advanced research institutions.
  • "Data privacy: Copy that; The GDPR: The joys of data hygiene." Economist, April 7th-13th, 2018, pp. 10-11, 53-54.
    Promotes the European Union's General Data Protection Regulation [GDPR] as a model for America, noting businesses that serve European customers will have to comply with the GDPR. Points out the benefits of complying with the new data protection law. Related information at: https://www.eugdpr.org/
  • "Death: Funerals of the future." Economist, April 14th-20th, 2018, pp. 51-53.
    Explains how the Internet, changing norms, customer demand, and competition from new businesses are disrupting the funeral industry. Reports the industry's revenue is expected to stagnate between 2016 and 2021, noting the long-term trend towards cremation: less than four percent in 1960 but expected to rise to 79 percent by 2035.
  • "Information and college decisions: Evidence from the Texas GO Center project." By Jesse M. Cunha, Trey Miller, and Emily Weisburst. Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, March 2018, pp. 151-170.
    Examines the effectiveness of Texas GO Centers, peer-run information centers that assist historically under-served students prepare and plan for college. Concludes the centers have led to a significant increase in college application rates and a limited increase in college enrollment rates, but no increase in college completion rates. Related information at: http://www.thecb.state.tx.us/reports/PDF/6575.PDF
  • "Ethanol's regulatory battle." By Kristy Moore. Ethanol Today, March/April 2018, pp. 26-27.
    Considers ethanol's role in the motor fuel industry's current regulatory environment.
  • "Solar power in Texas: The next big renewable?" By Patrick Graves and Bruce Wright. Fiscal Notes, April 2018, pp. 1, 3-5.
    Assesses the energy capacity and economic impact of Texas' solar industry. Highlights the role of local government in supplementing energy needs with solar power.
  • "We need new rules for self-driving cars." By Jack Stilgoe. Issues in Science and Technology, Spring 2018, pp. 52-57.
    Explores the development and proliferation of self-driving cars. Discusses potential legal and regulatory approaches to the use of self-driving cars and their integration into transportation infrastructure.
  • "Robert Kerns, PhD: Researching nondrug approaches to pain management." By Jennifer Abbasi. JAMA (Journal of the American Medical Association), April 17, 2018, pp. 1535-1537.
    Interviews Kerns about his research and work with the VA [United States Department of Veterans Affairs] on pain management for veterans. Focuses on new efforts to study the effectiveness of nondrug approaches to pain management in light of the opioid epidemic, with treatments ranging from chiropractic care to cognitive behavioral therapy to tai chi.
  • "State of the states 2017: Texas." By Ken Helvey. Journal of Education Finance, Winter 2018, pp. 311-313.
    Presents a summary of Texas legislative activity affecting P-12 education in 2017. Highlights funding priorities, changes to funding formulas, school finance litigation, charter schools, and per pupil spending.
  • "Court to review physical presence nexus standard." By Debra S. Herman and K. Craig Reilly. Journal of MultiState Taxation and Incentives, May 2018, pp. 43-46.
    Previews United States Supreme Court consideration of South Dakota v. Wayfair, Inc., et al., which could possibly overturn the physical presence nexus standard for Internet sales and use tax collections from the Quill Corp v. North Dakota decision in 1992. Briefly discusses other petitions pending before the Court, including a Virginia county's challenge to the import-export clause. Related information at: https://www.law.cornell.edu/supct/html/91-0194.ZO.html and https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/docketfiles/html/public/17-494.html
  • "Small towns think big on reliability." By Susan Partain. Public Power, March/April 2018, pp. 16-22.
    Explores six different factors related to reliability at several smaller public power utilities.
  • "There are too many kids on the sex offender registry." By Lenore Skenazy. Reason, May 2018, p. 9.
    Argues sex offender registries are based on flawed theories and are in reality adding many children to the list who are not likely to reoffend.
  • "Gone to Texas: Migration vital to growth in the Lone Star State." By Pia M. Orrenius, Alexander T. Abraham, and Stephanie Gullo. Southwest Economy (Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas), First Quarter 2018, pp. 3-11.
    Analyzes domestic and international migration to Texas and the labor market outcomes, lower immigrant earnings, and other economic effects of migration.
  • "'The future' of pain treatment?" By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, April 2018, pp. 38-42.
    Examines a Fort Worth anesthesiology group's "zero narcotics" approach to surgery pain control using nerve-blocking and nonopioid medications. Presents physicians' arguments for and against the need for opioids in pain management.
  • "Indoctrinated." By Sophie Novak. Texas Observer, April/May 2018, pp. 20-24.
    Shares the difficult hospital experience of Representative Donna Howard's daughter after she suffered a miscarriage, to highlight the potential negative effects of the new Texas fetal remains law. Reports the law, which mandates the burial or cremation of fetal remains after miscarriages or abortions, has been blocked pending a trial set for the summer.

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 April 26, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 959 views. Print this entry.

TxLege Terms: Concurrent/Joint/Simple Resolutions

Apr 25

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, TxLege Terms, Legislative process

In this occasional series, we explain terms used in the Texas legislative environment.

 

Texas legislators can introduce three types of resolutions*: 

 

Concurrent Resolution—A type of legislative measure that requires adoption by both chambers of the legislature and generally requires action by the governor. A concurrent resolution is used to convey the sentiment of the legislature and may offer a commendation, a memorial, a statement of congratulations, a welcome, or a request for action by another governmental entity. Concurrent resolutions are also used to memorialize (petition) the U.S. Congress, express the views of the legislature, designate official state symbols, and adopt official date or place designations. Additionally, concurrent resolutions are used for administrative matters that require the approval of both chambers, such as providing for adjournment or a joint session, but these types of concurrent resolutions do not require action by the governor.

 

Joint Resolution—A type of legislative measure that requires adoption by both chambers of the legislature but does not require action by the governor. A joint resolution is used to propose amendments to the Texas Constitution, ratify amendments to the U.S. Constitution, or request a constitutional convention to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Before becoming effective, the provisions of joint resolutions proposing amendments to the Texas Constitution must be approved by the voters of Texas.

 

Simple Resolution—The type of legislative measure that is considered only within the chamber in which it is filed. A simple resolution can offer a commendation, a memorial, a statement of congratulations, a welcome, or the views of that chamber. This type of measure is also used to name a mascot, memorialize (petition) the U.S. Congress, adopt or change rules of procedure, initiate a study by a single chamber, and request action by another governmental entity.

 

Resolutions in the 85th Legislature
Introduced
Signed/Filed/Enrolled
Concurrent Resolutions, 85R
202
97
Concurrent Resolutions, 85(1)
22
2
Joint Resolutions, 85R
169
9
Joint Resolutions, 85(1)
52
0
Simple Resolutions, 85R
3,670
3,643
Simple Resolutions, 85(1)
663
654

 

*Definitions taken from the Texas Legislative Glossary, published by the Texas Legislative Council for the 85th Legislature.

This entry was posted on April 25, 2018 at 8:30 AM and has received 5368 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of April 30, 2018

Apr 23

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

April 30

House Select Committee on Texas Ports, Innovation & Infrastructure (Corpus Christi) 

Charge: Maritime port program for "Funding of Port Security, Projects, and Studies" in Chapter 55 of the Texas Transportation Code; Address maritime-related port access and freight mobility needs

Charge: Benefits of SB 28, 85th Legislature, R.S., funding of ship channel improvements

Charge: Maintenance and dredging to ensure navigable waterways and channels, alternative funding to remain competitive in post-Panama Canal expansion era

 

May 1

House Committee on Corrections

Charge 1: Texas Department of Criminal justice response to Hurricane Harvey, operational stability of state criminal justice institutions following a natural disaster

Charge 2: Social workers and peer support specialists in the Texas criminal justice system

Charge 4: Treatment options, services, and programs available to women in institutional settings, on community supervision, on parole, and in community-based programs

 

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce

Charge: Grid reliability

Charge: Free market electricity

 

May 2

House Committee on Business & Industry (South Padre Island) 

Charge 1 (Partial): Workforce to rebuild key infrastructure, as well as residential and commercial properties damaged by Hurricane Harvey; labor needs within construction industry

Charge 5: Texas workers' compensation system, including existing policies on compounded pharmaceuticals and designated doctor assessments; trends in employer participation

 

May 3

House Committee on Business & Industry (Brownsville)

Charge 1 (Partial): Workforce to rebuild key infrastructure, as well as residential and commercial properties damaged by Hurricane Harvey; labor needs within construction industry

Charge 6: Monitor agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature, specifically:

 

This entry was posted on April 23, 2018 at 10:03 AM and has received 1149 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, April 19

Apr 19

posted by TexasLRL in Current Articles, Week in review, Research Resources

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

  • See how the Texas Tax Amnesty Program works. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, February 2018)
  • Read about the effects of cyberbullying on sexual minority youth. (National Institutes of Health, April 16, 2018)
  • Track the wealthiest zip codes in America based on Internal Revenue Service data. (Bloomberg, April 10, 2018)
  • Review data points related to regulatory restrictions in the Texas Administrative Code. (Mercatus Center, March 2018)

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

  • "Imbalance of power." By Terry Carter. ABA Journal: The Lawyer's Magazine, April 2018, pp. 38-44.
    Considers whether President Trump is upsetting the balance of power through assertions of executive power and by pushing the boundaries of the separation of powers.
  • "Note to scientists: breathe easy." By Will Anderson and Jeff Jeffrey. Austin Business Journal, April 6, 2018, pp. 4-5.
    Reports good news for scientists and researchers who rely on grants from the National Institutes of Health [NIH], noting the NIH avoided drastic budget cuts threatened last year. Explains how NIH funding finds its way to Austin's top research centers.
  • "Civics education makes a return." By Story Hinckley. Christian Science Monitor, April 9, 2018, pp. 17-19.
    Identifies Florida as having the "most comprehensive civics education program in the country," suggesting the program prepared students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for activism in response to their school shooting. Reviews civics education in other states.
  • "U. of Texas System's new online tool breaks down earnings potential for students in different majors." By Katherine Mangan. Chronicle of Higher Education, April 6, 2018, p. A34.
    Discusses the seekUT database tool developed by the University of Texas System and the Census Bureau that allows students to get an idea of what they might earn with different majors and what they are likely to owe from loans.
  • "Shredding separation in the sunshine state." By Liz Hayes. Church & State, April 2018, pp. 7-9.
    Highlights proposed Florida constitutional amendments that would divert taxpayer monies for public education to religious or private schools. Related information at: http://www.flcrc.gov/Proposals/Commissioner
  • "Bankruptcies skyrocket as debt multiples hit highs." By Mark Curriden. Dallas Business Journal, March 30, 2018, pp. 16-17.
    Predicts another wave of bankruptcies filed by Texas businesses with historic levels of debt. Notes newly filed corporate restructurings increased more than 42.6 percent in 2017.
  • "Alternatives to Obamacare: abandon ship!" Economist, March 31st-April 6th, 2018, pp. 26-27.
    Discusses alternatives to Obamacare's high-premium health insurance exchanges: short-term health plans, religious cost-sharing ministries, and deregulated health insurance.
  • "Meal delivery programs reduce the use of costly health care in dually eligible Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries." By Seth A. Berkowitz, et al. Health Affairs, April 2018, pp. 353-542.
    Compares inpatient admissions and medical spending among patients enrolled in meal delivery programs versus those not enrolled. Reports lower medical spending and, for those in a medically tailored meal program, fewer inpatient admissions.
  • "Texans should be wary of bullet train proposal." By Alain Leray. Houston Business Journal, April 5, 2018, p. 38.
    Discusses the Texas Central Rail's proposal for high-speed passenger rail services in Texas. Argues the proposal has some drawbacks.
  • "Houston surveys post-Harvey policy landscape: the 'Bayou City' considers land use rules changes." By Kathleen McCormick. Land Lines, April 2018, pp. 20-29.
    Considers the potential for new land regulations in Houston after Hurricane Harvey. Describes the city's flood history and risk, recent resilience efforts including flood mitigation, new floodplain mapping, and home buyouts. See also: https://www.lincolninst.edu/sites/default/files/pubfiles/houston-post-harvey-lla180404.pdf
  • "The 7,383 seat strategy." By Joan Walsh. Nation, April 16, 2018, pp. 12-21.
    Examines the Democratic Party's strategy in state legislative races and the effect of increasing Republican control in state legislatures on right-to-work laws, redistricting, and the ability to call a constitutional convention. Notes that in Texas, Democrats are running more legislative candidates than they have since the 1990s.
  • "Offshore wind transmission options, opportunities: challenging tradeoffs." By Seth Parker and Alex Mattfolk. Public Utilities Fortnightly, April 2018, pp. 74-79.
    Explores the commercial and regulatory aspects of competing transmission options to deliver offshore wind energy into the regional transmission grids.
  • "The case for IT consolidation." By Elizabeth Crisp. State Legislatures, April 2018, pp. 24-26.
    Discusses how states can save millions and better guard against security threats by centralizing government information technology services and administration.
  • "Tax overhaul spells changes for next year's returns." By Jessica Domel. Texas Agriculture, April 6, 2018, p. 6.
    Discusses recent tax reform and how deductions, exemptions, and credits have changed for the 2018 tax year.
  • "The risk of speaking up." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, April 2018, pp. 44-47.
    Describes several Texas physicians' experiences as whistleblowers against hospital practices and calls for better protections for these doctors. Includes sidebar on legislative efforts to protect whistleblowing physicians, such as SB833, 85th Legislature, R.S.
  • "Surprise! Balance billing still a focus at the Capitol." By Joey Berlin. Texas Medicine, April 2018, p. 16.
    Describes continued legislative efforts to address surprise medical bills. Mentions SB507 and HB477, 85th Legislature, R.S.
  • "Delay, derail, deny." By Chris Collins. Texas Observer, April/May 2018, pp. 12-19.
    Discusses how lawmakers, the Texas Supreme Court, and the attorney general have contributed to the erosion of the Texas Public Information Act. Quotes Senator Kirk Watson.

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 April 19, 2018 at 3:15 PM and has received 981 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy List for April 2018

Apr 18

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the six titles from our April 2018 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. Higher Education In Texas: Its Beginnings to 1970
By Charles R. Matthews
Provides a broad historical view of higher education in Texas, highlighting important legislation passed in support of higher education, particularly the Permanent University Fund. Includes chapters on religious colleges, state normal schools and colleges, and community/junior colleges, as well as examining historical access to higher education for women, African Americans, and Hispanics.
University of North Texas Press, 2018. 326 pages.
378.764 M432 2018


 

 

2. Decarcerating America: From Mass Punishment to Public Health
By Ernest Drucker, ed.
Compiles policy ideas from across the criminal justice reform movement, exploring how America can move from mass incarceration to reform of the entire criminal justice process, from arrest and sentencing to inmate rehabilitation, prisoner re-entry, support for mental health and drug treatment issues, and new industries to replace the prison economy. Approaches mass incarceration using a public health model, examining primary interventions to prevent incarceration, secondary interventions to make prison conditions more humane, and tertiary interventions to address the impact of mass incarceration on entire communities.
The New Press, 2018. 309 pages.
364.60973 D84D 2018


 

 

3. Unhealthy Politics: The Battle over Evidence-Based Medicine
By Eric M. Patashnik, Alan S. Gerber, Conor M. Dowling
Asserts that the U.S. medical system is not basing many new treatments and medical decisions on sound science. Argues that despite government efforts to promote evidence-based conclusions, treatments and procedures are adopted with little or no fact-based evidence and analysis, due to a combination of partisan debates, an influential medical industry, and a public burdened with rising medical costs. Notes that the pharmaceutical and health products industries consistently top federal campaign contributions, causing tremendous pressure on policy makers to maintain the health care status quo.
Princeton University Press, 2017. 223 pages.
362.1 P27U 2017


 

 

4. The Broken Spoke: Austin's Legendary Honky-Tonk
By Donna Marie Miller
Recounts the history of the Broken Spoke, the renowned Austin music venue and dance hall, through the eyes of the owners and those who frequented it regularly. Highlights its impact on the community and the Texas Legislature, noting both Republican and Democratic lawmakers could often be found there on Legislators' and Speakers' nights.
Texas A & M University Press, 2017. 212 pages.
792.709765 M613B 2017


 

 

5. Tattooed on My Soul: Texas Veterans Remember World War II
By Stephen M. Sloan, Lois E. Myers, and Michelle Holland, editors.
Profiles a cross-section of Texas veterans who gave eyewitness testimony to Baylor University's Institute for Oral History about their World War II experiences. Details first-hand accounts of a diverse group of Texas veterans from each branch of the military who lived through World War II. Documents not only war time stories, but also pre-war and post-war experiences of these Texas veterans.
Texas A&M University Press, 2015. 275 pages.
940.54 SL52T 2015


 

 

6. Newell's History of the Texas Revolution
By Rev. Chester Newell
Presents a new edition of History of the Revolution in Texas, Particularly of the War of 1835 & 1836, originally published in 1838. Provides an account of the Texas Revolution by Chester Newell, who interviewed participants such as Sam Houston and Mirabeau B. Lamar a year after the events. Includes a section on the geography, topography, statistics, and other characteristics of Texas in the mid-1830s intended for potential immigrants.
Copano Bay Press, 2015. 186 pages.
976.4 N442 2015

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Interim Hearings – Week of April 23, 2018

Apr 16

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

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.

 

Charge 3: Permitting, siting, and regulatory processes for solid waste landfills

Charge 4: Economic impact of National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS)

Charge 5: TCEQ expedited air permitting program

 

House Committee on Human Services

Charge 2: Managed Care – Medicaid Managed Care history, initiatives of managed care organizations (MCOs) to improve quality and coordination of care, Health and Human Services Commission's (HHSC) oversight of MCOs

Top

 

House Committee on Investments & Financial Services 

Charge: Impact and risks of a credit bureau security breach on Texans

Charge: Financial technology policy challenges

Topic: Cryptocurrency's potential role in financial sector

 

Senate Committee on Transportation

Charge: Project acceleration 

Charge: Unified Transportation Program (UTP) 

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation, specifically:

  • Statutory changes specified in Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) sunset legislation:
    1. requiring toll road entities to use toll revenue to pay back TxDOT for grants used to construct toll roads.
    2. prohibiting TxDOT from operating or transferring a HOV lane as a tolled lane.
    3. authorizing TxDOT to convert non-tolled lanes as toll lanes – only if the number of non-tolled lanes is greater than or equal to the number in existence before the toll conversion project.
    4. prohibiting TxDOT from awarding contracts unless the contractor participates in E-verify

  • Progress of Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT) efforts to issue an annual permit for transporting overweight, sealed intermodal shipping containers on TxDOT approved routes within 30 miles of a port of entry or an international bridge.

 

House Committee on Environmental Regulation

Charge 1: Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's (TCEQ) response and clean-up efforts related to Hurricane Harvey, debris removal, natural disaster response

 

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Charge: 60x30TX Statewide Plan Review

 

 

House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence  (El Paso) 

Charge 3: Enforcement of criminal laws against low-level possession of marijuana

Charge 8: Monitoring agencies and programs under the Committee's jurisdiction and implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 85th Legislature

 

 

Charge 1: Effects of Hurricane Harvey on the courts and legal system

Charge 3: Statutes prescribing fees in civil and criminal matters; fees that may be challenged on grounds similar to those raised in Salinas v. Texas (Tex. Court of Crim. Apps., March 8, 2017)

Charge 7: Monitor implementation of the statewide electronic database of court records ("re:SearchTX")

This entry was posted on April 16, 2018 at 10:00 AM and has received 1603 views. Print this entry.

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