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Research Minute: Special Session

Jul 18

posted by TexasLRL in Research minute, Legislative process

Looking for detailed information on special session? The LRL website's section on Special Sessions and Years includes links to official proclamations and session topics assigned by the Governor for the current special session and select historical special sessions. If you are accessing this page from within the Capitol Complex, you can also view articles from our clippings database concerning special session.

 

Furthermore, you can stay up-to-date on laws and rules governing special session by visiting the Statutory Authority Pertaining to Special Sessions section. This page has annotated links to articles in the Texas Constitution and Texas Statutes. Other available resources include links to relevant Attorney General opinions, House and Senate rules, and answers to frequently asked questions. 

 

This entry was posted on July 18, 2017 at 4:35 PM and has received 1457 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, July 13

Jul 13

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.

  • Examine the role of shale gas and oil development in local communities. (Resources for the Future, updated June 23, 2017)
  • Consider how deregulation has affected rates in the retail electric market in Texas. (The Texas Tribune, July 11, 2017)
  • Read about the nuances of political geography in America. (University of New Hampshire, Summer 2017)
  • Review statistics related to crimes against people with disabilities. (Bureau of Justice Statistics, July 11, 2017)
  • Explore rankings of colleges based on their return on investment. (TIME, July 10, 2017)

This entry was posted on July 13, 2017 at 3:15 PM and has received 723 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy List for July 2017

Jul 12

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the five titles from our July 2017 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. Locked In: The True Causes of Mass Incarceration--and How to Achieve Real Reform
By John F. Pfaff
Investigates the root causes of mass incarceration in the United States. Argues that the reigning consensus or the "Standard Story" for the surge in incarceration rates is misguided and has many shortcomings. Presents alternative factors for increased rates of imprisonment including: shifts in prosecutor behavior, public spending, public-sector union lobbying, and politicians with prisons in their districts. Provides concrete solutions for reforming the criminal justice system and reducing incarceration rates.
Basic Books, 2017. 311 pages.
365.973 P47L 2017


 

 

2. The Death of Expertise: The Campaign Against Established Knowledge and Why it Matters
By Tom Nichols
Contends that American culture has moved toward embracing ignorance rather than expertise. Analyzes various factors contributing to this distrust of experts in historical and contemporary contexts. Explores how this viewpoint is detrimental to decision-making in political, health, and other spheres, providing examples ranging from vaccination to foreign aid spending. Suggests ways to balance thoughtful discourse with trust in vetted research.
Oxford University Press, 2017. 252 pages.
303.4833 N518D 2017


 

 

3. The Color Of Law: A Forgotten History of How Our Government Segregated America
By Richard Rothstein
Presents a case for how local, state, and federal government’s laws and policies are the cause of American cities remaining primarily segregated to this day, rather than the commonly held belief that it was due to personal prejudices, income differences, or banks. Examines the flawed urban planning of the 1950s along with the suburbanization of American life after WWII, that led to officially segregated public housing and the demolition of previously integrated neighborhoods. Argues that while the Fair Housing Act of 1968 prohibited future discrimination, it did nothing to reverse the deeply embedded residential patterns in cities across the country.
Liveright Publishing, 2017. 345 pages.
305.800973 R746C 2017


 

 

4. Goodbye to a River: A Narrative
By John Graves
Narrates the author's contemplative canoe journey down the Brazos River in 1957, a trip inspired by a proposed series of flood-control dams that would have altered the river and the surrounding landscape. Weaves his experience and observations on the trip with historical accounts of the Native Americans and pioneers who lived in the area around the river and in North Central Texas. Muses on the relationship between people, place, and nature.
Knopf, 1960. 306 pages.
917.641 G785G 1959


 

 

5. Lone Star Nation: The Epic Story of The Battle for Texas Independence
By H.W. Brands
Explores the Texas journey from early colonization in the 1820s to statehood and beyond. Presents a chronological review of development and settlement, with the bulk of the book covering 1820 to 1836. Concludes by highlighting the period of 1836-1865, with a focus on Sam Houston's service in Congress and as the Governor who refused to follow his beloved state into secession from the union.
Anchor Books, 2005. 582 pages.
976.403 B734L 2004


 

 

This entry was posted on July 12, 2017 at 3:08 PM and has received 825 views. Print this entry.

Bill Effective Dates, 85th Legislature

Jul 10

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Legislative process

On September 1, 2017, provisions of 673 bills passed during the regular session of the 85th Legislature will take effect.

 

Additionally, sections of bills passed during the 84th Legislature, 83rd Legislature, and 82nd 1st C.S. 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 July 10, 2017 at 9:00 AM and has received 1792 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of July 10, 2017

Jul 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.

 

July 11

House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs (El Paso)

July 13

House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs  (Del Rio)

Topic: Encroachment on military installations

This entry was posted on July 7, 2017 at 2:49 PM and has received 761 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, July 6

Jul 6

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.

  • Review health in America for 2016. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, May 2017)
  • Explore the papers and documents of the Founding Fathers. (National Historical Publications and Records Commission, accessed July 2017)
  • Consider how one city is trying to make water bills more affordable for low income residents. (Governing, July 5, 2017)
  • Find maps to the country's national parks. (National Park Maps, updated June 4, 2017)

 

This entry was posted on July 6, 2017 at 3:15 PM and has received 604 views. Print this entry.

Bill Statistics End-of-Session Comparison

Jul 5

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, 85th Session, Bill statistics, Legislative process

Interested in how the final results of the 85th Legislature's regular session compares to the past few sessions? Use the charts below to compare and contrast.

 

To see past bill statistics and other session information, see previous blog posts on the legislative process.

 

This entry was posted on July 5, 2017 at 9:15 AM and has received 1951 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, June 29

Jun 29

posted by TexasLRL in Week in review

In this weekly post, we feature online articles and policy reports published recently, and other helpful research tools.

  • Review analysis of the CBO report on the Better Care Reconciliation Act. (The Heritage Foundation, June 27, 2017)
  • Explore tax sources by state. (Pew Charitable Trusts, June 27, 2017)
  • See how Americans rate health care as a financial concern. (Gallup, June 23, 2017)
  • Read the 2017 Trafficking in Persons Report. (U.S. Department of State, June 2017)
  • Examine statistics related to large trucks and buses. (Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, June 2017)

This entry was posted on June 29, 2017 at 3:15 PM and has received 637 views. Print this entry.

Locating Bill Effective Dates on TLO

Jun 27

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation, Legislative process

The library reviews the text of all bills that become law to determine their effective dates and enters the information into Texas Legislature Online (TLO). To find the effective date of a bill, look up the bill in TLO and check the "Last action" field in the history window. In some cases, different sections of a bill may have different effective dates, in which case additional remarks will be given to provide the information.

 

For House and Senate bills from the 85th Regular Session (2017), the two largest groupings are:

  • Effective immediately: 397
  • Effective on 9/1/17: 673

The library compiles a more detailed list of bills and their effective dates following each regular and called session. The list is made available on the library's website once it is complete.

This entry was posted on June 27, 2017 at 1:34 PM and has received 1123 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of June 26, 2017

Jun 23

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Interim hearings

Interim Hearings - Week of June 26

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

 

June 27

House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs  (Fort Worth)

Topic: Encroachment on military installations

This entry was posted on June 23, 2017 at 11:36 AM and has received 1571 views. Print this entry.

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