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Week in Review, September 8

Sep 8

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.

  • Track a 7.2% increase in traffic fatalities from 2014 to 2015. (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, August 2016)
  • Examine the financial costs to youths and families of youths involved in the juvenile justice system. (Juvenile Law Center, 2016)
  • Read about the new federal rule regarding antibacterial soaps. (Federal Register, September 6, 2016)
  • Consider the nature of economic inequality in America. (Cato Institute, September 7, 2016)

 

This entry was posted on September 8, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 435 views. Print this entry.

New Texas School Finance Litigation Archive

Sep 6

posted by TexasLRL in School finance

The LRL has launched the "Texas School Finance Litigation Archive," a new research tool that provides access to select court documents from school finance litigation in Texas dating back to the 1970s. The site is free and available to the public, and is intended to familiarize users with the history of school finance litigation in Texas, and provide them with a broad range of resources on the subject.
 
The earliest court documents featured on the site are from the 1973 U.S. Supreme Court case San Antonio ISD v. Rodriguez, a school finance lawsuit that originated in Texas.  The case is considered to be the first school finance lawsuit in Texas, and was followed by several subsequent lawsuits. Users can view the docket for the case at the federal district court level, and read the opinions from both the federal district court and the U.S. Supreme Court.
 
In addition to San Antonio v. Rodriquez documents, users will also find court documents from  Edgewood I and II, West Orange-Cove I and II, and the recent school finance case, Williams v. Texas Taxpayers & Student Fairness Coalition, et al. Of special note are trial transcripts from Edgewood I, a case that has been included in the Travis County Historical Records project because of its historical significance.
 
In addition to court records, the page also provides a timeline of key court rulings, as well as legislative reports and a comprehensive bibliography on various aspects of school finance.
 
The project was made possible by the participation of a number of courts and libraries, including:
  • National Archives, Fort Worth, Texas and Washington, D.C.
  • Tarlton Law Library, University of Texas at Austin School of Law
  • Texas State Law Library
  • Texas State Library and Archives Commission
  • Texas Taxpayers and Research Association
  • Texas Third Court of Appeals
  • Travis County Archives
  • Travis County District Clerk's Office
  • Travis County Law Library
  • U.S. Court of Appeals Library for the 5th Circuit, New Orleans, LA
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of Texas, San Antonio
Image by StockSnap user Krzysztof Puszczynski.

This entry was posted on September 6, 2016 at 8:35 AM and has received 3734 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of September 12, 2016

Sep 2

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 84th Session

Interim Hearings - Week of September 12

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 12 Top

Senate Committee on Higher Education

Charge: Regional workforce needs in the state, baccalaureate degrees at public community colleges

Charge: Implementation of legislation, specifically:

  1. Initiatives designed to create effective, clear transfer pathways for students, including the newly enacted multidisciplinary studies associate degree
  2. Implementation and progress of the Math and Science Scholars Loan Repayment Program
  3. Progress of pilot program enacted by the 83rd Legislature relating to improving student loan default rates and financial aid literacy among postsecondary students

 

September 13 Top

House Committees on Defense & Veterans' Affairs and Higher Education (Joint Hearing) 

Joint charge: Hazlewood Act

 

House Select Committee on State & Federal Power & Responsibility

Charge 1: Extent to which state regulation and policy are influenced by mandates attached to federal funding

Charge 2: Resolutions approved by the Legislature during recent legislative sessions calling on the federal government to take certain actions, and actions taken

 

Charge 3: Texas statutes prohibiting or restricting investment in foreign nations

 

Topic: Article V

Senate Committee on Education

Charge: Digital learning, school broadband access

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation, specifically legislation to establish criteria for alternative measures of assessments to meet high school graduation requirements

 

Senate Committee on Health & Human Services

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation and riders, including but not limited to:

  • The impact of changes made by the Department of Family and Protective Services, Child Protective Services on child safety, workforce retention, prevention, and permanency;
  • Initiatives to reduce Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse, and other cost containment strategies, including examining the processes and procedures used by managed care organizations to address Medicaid fraud, waste and abuse; and
  • The consolidation and expansion of women's health programs at the Health and Human Services Commission.

Charge: Impact of the Section 1115 Texas Healthcare Transformation and Quality Improvement Program Waiver; other mechanisms to control costs and increase quality and efficiency in the Medicaid program, including the pursuit of a block grant or a Section 1332 Medicaid State Innovation Waiver

September 14 Top

Joint Legislative Committee on Health & Human Services Transition, Oversight

Charge: Short-term lending industry in Texas, consumer access to credit, consumer protections

Charge 2: Family law and parent-child relationship statutes and application of foreign law

Charge 3: Self-represented litigants

Charge 5: Implementation of expedited action provisions of HB 274, 82nd Legislature, R.S.

Senate Committee on Education

Charge: School choice, education savings account and tax credit scholarship programs

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation, specifically:

Senate Committee on State Affairs  

Charge: Guardianships 

Charge: Public integrity unit under authority of Texas Rangers 

 

Charge: Practice of using public funds and employees for the payment processing of union dues 

Senate Committee on Transportation

Topic: Overview and update from the Texas Department of Transportation, the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, and the Texas Department of Public Safety

Charge: New and anticipated revenue appropriated to the Texas Department of Transportation and recommendations that address project prioritization and selection, effectiveness of staffing levels and project delivery methods

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation, specifically:

1.      Progress of the Texas Department of Transportation's efforts to propose a plan to eliminate toll roads

2.      Removing eminent domain authority from private toll corporations

3.      Ending the issuing of any new debt from the Texas Mobility Fund (TMF) and prohibiting future use of the TMF on toll projects

 

September 15 Top

Senate Committee on Finance                 

Charge: Monitor implementation of legislation, specifically:

  1. Tax relief provided to property owners
  2. Gradual phase out of the franchise tax
  3. Support for and the enhancement of graduate medical education
  4. Efforts of the Department of Information Resources (DIR) to modernize the technology of state agencies
  5. Implementation of required changes to state agency contracting, purchasing, and accounting procedures
  6. Monitor the implementation of Health and Human Services Commission Rider 50

 

Senate Select Committee on Texas Ports

Topic: Economic impact that inland waterways, coastal ports and inland ports have on the state economy

Topic: Future impact that the Panama Canal expansion will have on Texas ports

 

This entry was posted on September 2, 2016 at 1:38 PM and has received 3537 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, September 1

Sep 1

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.
  • Explore the transformation effort of the Texas Health and Human Services System. (Texas Health and Human Services Commission, August 19, 2016)
  • Consider the legal avenues for contesting results of a presidential election. (Congressional Research Service, August 26, 2016)
  • Protect your dogs from xylitol-containing products. (Preventive Vet, ©2016)
  • Read about shortfalls in state-run pension systems. (The Pew Charitable Trusts, August 2016)
 

This entry was posted on September 1, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 466 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of September 5, 2016

Aug 30

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 84th Session

Interim Hearings - Week of September 5

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 7

House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues    

Charge 1: Youth recruited into human trafficking, pipeline from foster care

 

Charge 2: Data collection and sharing practices between Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS), Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), and local juvenile probation departments

Charge 3: Early education and parenting support and education programs, implementation of HB 2630, 84th Legislature, R.S.

Charge 4: Juvenile justice regionalization planning and implementation of SB 1630, 84th Legislature, R.S.

Charge 5: Juvenile justice penalties and sanctions determined by or disallowed by age of the juvenile

 

Charge 6: Family Code's treatment of grandparents in the parent-child relationship, changes to address the growing population of grandparents

Charge 7: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies

 

This entry was posted on August 30, 2016 at 11:12 AM and has received 1080 views. Print this entry.

New Laws Effective September 1, 2016

Aug 30

posted by TexasLRL in Legislation

The following bills take effect September 1, 2016. To see a full list of bill effective dates from the 84th Legislature (2015), please see the Library's Effective Dates for Bills page.
  • HB 735
    Relating to the collection of information regarding the number of alternatively fueled vehicles registered in this state.
  • HB 2154
    Relating to the functions and operation of the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
    *This Act takes effect September 1, 2015, except Section 21 takes effect September 1, 2016.
  • HB 2718
    Relating to a program to allow faith- and community-based organizations to offer supplemental assistance to certain recipients of public assistance.
  • HB 2804
    Relating to evaluation of public school performance.
    *This Act takes effect immediately, except Section 3 takes effect September 1, 2015, Section 4 takes effect September 1, 2016, and Section 5 takes effect September 1, 2017.
  • SB 195
    Relating to prescriptions for certain controlled substances, access to information about those prescriptions, and the duties of prescribers and other entities registered with the Federal Drug Enforcement Administration; authorizing fees.
    *This Act takes effect September 1, 2016, except Sections 481.003(a), 481.076(c), 481.0761(a), (e), and (f), and 481.352, Health and Safety Code, as amended by this Act, and Section 481.0761(g), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, take effect immediately.
  • SB 200
    Relating to the continuation and functions of the Health and Human Services Commission and the provision of health and human services in this state.
    *This Act takes effect September 1, 2015, except Article 3 takes effect January 1, 2016, excluding Sections 3.02(b) and 3.42, which take effect September 1, 2015; Sections 1.23(a), (b), and (c) take effect September 1, 2016; and Sections 1.16 through 1.19 and 1.23(d) and (e) take effect September 1, 2017.
  • SB 206
    Relating to the continuation and functions of the Department of Family and Protective Services and procedures applicable to suits affecting the parent-child relationship, investigations of child abuse and neglect, and conservatorship of a child; affecting fee amounts and authorizing an administrative penalty.
    *This Act takes effect September 1, 2015, except Section 69 of this Act has no effect and Sections 42.050(d) and 42.052(f-1), Human Resources Code, as added by this Act, take effect September 1, 2016.
  • SB 208
    Relating to the continuation and functions of the Texas Workforce Commission.
    *This Act takes effect September 1, 2015, except Sections 4, 6, 7, 8, and 19 take effect September 1, 2016, and Section 26 has no effect.
  • SB 304
    Relating to certain violations committed by long-term care facilities, including violations that constitute the abuse and neglect of residents.
    *This Act takes effect immediately, except Sections 242.061(a-2) and (a-3), Health and Safety Code, as added by this Act, take effect September 1, 2016.
  • SB 1496
    Relating to background checks conducted by the Department of Family and Protective Services for certain child-care providers.
  • SB 1512
    Relating to the Texas Department of Motor Vehicles fund.
 
 

This entry was posted on August 30, 2016 at 9:05 AM and has received 8518 views. Print this entry.

Week in Review, August 25

Aug 25

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.
  • Read a joint report issued by the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Task Force and Department of State Health Services. (Texas Department of State Health Services, July 2016)
  • Review hand sanitation laws in 7 states related to animal contact exhibits, like petting zoos. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, August 16, 2016)
  • Examine public college outcomes for loan-bearing students. (Third Way, August 11, 2016)
  • Consider the effects of the 2008 recession on small business financing. (Mercatus Working Paper, August 2016)
 

This entry was posted on August 25, 2016 at 3:15 PM and has received 779 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy List for August 2016

Aug 25

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the six titles from our August 2016 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 of any of these items, you can submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website, or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

 

1. The Con of the Con-Con: The Case Against the States Amending the U.S. Constitution By Andy Biggs
Presents the arguments of a conservative, seven-term member of the Arizona Legislature as to why an Article V Constitutional Convention is not the answer to America's problems. Discusses proponents' reasons for a "con-con" and presents the author's counter arguments. Suggests citizens must be better informed before the time is appropriate for this method of change.
Free Man Press, 2015. 171 pages.
342.73 B484 2015


 

 

2. The Rise and Fall of Violent Crime in America By Barry Latzer
Details the rise of crime in America from the end of the second World War through the end of the twentieth century, examining circumstances and social issues that may have been a factor. Studies the effect of "tough on crime" legislation, increased numbers of police, revamped court systems, and other changes implemented in the late 1990s, when crime levels began to drop. Compares cultural versus structural perspectives on what has caused violent crime to rise and fall over the last 70 years.
Encounter Books, 2016. 404 pages.
364.150973 L359R 2016


 

 

3. The Texas Legacy Project: Stories of Courage and Conservation By David Todd
Depicts the extraordinary efforts by veteran conservationists and ordinary citizens to preserve the natural legacy and resources of Texas - both land and wildlife and their effect on public health. Includes interviews with former state legislators Babe Schwartz, Carlos Truan, and Sissy Farenthold.
Texas A&M University Press, 2010. 278 pages.
333.72092 T566 2010


 

 

4. Race and the Houston Police Department, 1930-1990: A Change Did Come By Dwight Watson
Provides a historical picture of the Houston Police Department (HPD) and race relations over a 60 year period. Illustrates how traditional attitudes towards race limited the development of the HPD until external factors, including the civil rights movement, modernization, annexation, and court-ordered political reapportionment, forced the Houston police department to change.
Texas A&M University Press, 2005. 208 pages.
363.2 W332R 2005


 

 

5. Adele Briscoe Looscan: Daughter of the Republic By Laura Lyons McLemore
Presents the biography of Adele Briscoe Looscan, the daughter of a signer of the Texas Declaration of Independence, who was a highly respected clubwoman, writer, and leader in Texas. Recounts her service with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas (DRT) and her role as the first female president of the Texas State Historical Association. Highlights her contributions to the preservation of historic landmarks, curriculum development in public schools, and Texas history.
TCU Press, 2016. 265 pages.
976.405092 M224A 2016


 

 

6. Women of the Range: Women's Roles in the Texas Beef Cattle Industry By Elizabeth Maret
Describes past and present contributions of women as owners and managers in the Texas cattle industry, often as an unpaid labor force. Discusses the role women played in the modernization of the industry and as "keepers of the land."
Texas A&M University Press, 1993. 152 pages.
331.4 M335W 1993

 

 

This entry was posted on August 25, 2016 at 9:05 AM and has received 760 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings - Week of August 29, 2016

Aug 22

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 84th Session

Interim Hearings - Week of August 29

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.

 

August 29 Top

House Committee on County Affairs 

Charge: County cybersecurity policies

 

Charge: Legislative oversight and monitoring of agencies, including Child Protective Services, 1115 Transformation Waiver, and criminal justice programs in Bexar County

 

August 30 Top

House Committee on Transportation

Topic: TxDOT Rail Division

Topic: TxDOT Rural Transit Division

Topic: TxDOT General Aviation Division

Topic: TxDOT HB 2612 report

Topic: TxDOT on utility relocation

Topic: Presentation from TTI on Transportation Network Companies

House Select Committee on Transportation Planning

Topic: Update from TxDOT working group on project selection criteria, rules and policies for project prioritization and selection, and funding categories

August 31 Top

House Committee on Urban Affairs

Charge 1: Demographic trends in Texas for affordable housing and senior housing 

Charge 2: Gentrification's effect on affordable housing 

Charge 3: Guidelines for the appraisal of Affordable Housing Properties financed with Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC) 

Charge 4: Current Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs preservation programs for rural rental housing 

 

 

This entry was posted on August 22, 2016 at 12:33 PM and has received 1332 views. Print this entry.

Dates of Interest for the 85th Regular Session

Aug 19

posted by TexasLRL in 85th Session, Legislative process

What are the key deadlines for the 85th Regular Session? Official deadlines will be set when the House and Senate adopt their rules, but until then, the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual provides a perpetual calendar (shown below) that can be useful. According to the Manual:

 

Bill pre-filing begins:  Nov 14, 2016

 

1st day of session:  Jan 10, 2017

 

60-day bill filing deadline:  Mar 10, 2017

 

Adjournment sine die:  May 29, 2017

 

Post-session 20-day deadline for governor to sign or veto:  June 18, 2017

 

Effective date (91st day after adjournment):  Aug 28, 2017

 

 

  Table can be viewed on pg. 135 of the Texas Legislative Council Drafting Manual. 

This entry was posted on August 19, 2016 at 4:50 PM and has received 19898 views. Print this entry.

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