The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our December 2025 New & Noteworthy list.

New & Noteworthy titles are available to Legislative offices and agencies. To borrow an item, please submit an online request through the New & Noteworthy page on our website or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

1. Artificial Intelligence Law and Regulation in a Nutshell
By Jon M. Garon
Addresses the facts and legal issues surrounding the regulation of artificial intelligence (AI). Provides a general history and overview of AI and the legal landscape of AI systems. Analyzes specific applications of American law to AI practices and the intersection between AI and existing legal fields, including equal protection; privacy; Fourth Amendment jurisprudence; defamation; trademark; and products liability.
West Academic, 2025, 677 pages
006.3 G237 2025

 

 

2. Austin-San Antonio Megaregion: Opportunity and Challenge in the Lone Star State
By Henry Cisneros, Robert Rivard, and David Hendricks
Highlights the unprecedented growth of Austin and San Antonio in terms of population, employment, manufacturing, traffic, in-migration, school attendance, and airport enplanements. Reflects on the implications of growth for the infrastructure of this burgeoning urban corridor, including water and energy supplies and housing affordability.
Texas A&M University Press, 2025, 216 pages
976.43 C579 2025

 

 

3. Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times
By Doug Teschner, Beth Malow, and Becky Robinson
Explores the political divide in America through research, storytelling, and reflections on first-hand experiences. Encourages finding ways to build bridges while maintaining personal and political values. Provides practical actions, strategies, and steps to facilitate difficult conversations.
Together Across Differences, 2025, 302 pages
324.273 T337 2025

 

 

4. The Conservative Frontier: Texas and the Origins of the New Right
By Jeff Roche
Examines the political history of West Texas from 1876 to 1976 and its impact on the rise of political conservatism in the U.S. Focuses on the contributions of political players and citizens along with the cultural, economic, and demographic factors that shaped the political identity of the region. Addresses the origin and philosophy of cowboy conservatism and its role in the emergence of the New Right.
University of Texas Press, 2025, 448 pages
976.4 R673 2025

 

 

5. The Fall of Affirmative Action: Race, the Supreme Court, and the Future of Higher Education
By Justin Driver
Assesses the state of admissions in higher education following the U.S. Supreme Court’s 2023 ruling in Students for Fair Admissions v. Harvard (SFFA), which effectively eliminated affirmative action programs in colleges and universities. Analyzes the SFFA along with conservative and liberal interpretations of the opinion and posits there are weaknesses in both interpretations. Asserts that universities still have legal opportunities to foster diversity and remain consistent with the Court’s ruling.
Columbia Global Reports, 2025, 276 pages
344.73 D782 2025

 

 

6. The Land Trap: A New History of the World's Oldest Asset
By Mike Bird
Discusses the history and global economic impact of land ownership. Explains how land exerts influence on the modern world, including shaping housing, banking, and geopolitics. Details the risks of land-centric economies, which are vulnerable to boom-and-bust cycles and land traps. Analyzes the land histories of Colonial America, the U.S., China, Hong Kong, Japan, and Singapore.
Penguin, 2025, 326 pages
333.73 B618 2025

 

 

7. Planning Miracles: How to Prevent Future Pandemics
By John Cohen
Investigates how infectious disease threats have been handled in the past and explores possibilities for preventing future pandemics. Chronicles scientists’ global efforts to combat infectious diseases, detect outbreaks early, develop new interventions, and prepare for future pandemics. Addresses challenges to preventing pandemics, including misinformation; societal distrust of science; cycles of panic and neglect; and politics.
Alfred A. Knopf, 2025, 428 pages
614.4 C678 2025

 

 

This entry was posted on December 9, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 23 views. Print this entry.

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.

December 9, 2025
House Committees on Agriculture & Livestock and Culture, Recreation & Tourism (Joint Hearing)

Topic: New World Screwworm Fly

• USDA Releases New World Screwworm Response Playbook, Texas Agriculture, Texas Farm Bureau, November 7, 2025
• The New World Screwworm Is Poised to Make a Comeback; Texas Will Be Ready, Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine, Texas Parks & Wildlife Department, November 2025
• Technologies May Help U.S. Tackle Growing New World Screwworm Threat, Texas Agriculture, Texas Farm Bureau, October 3, 2025
• Interim Hearings – Week of October 6, 2025 (Topic: New World Screwworm), Legislative Reference Library, October 3, 2025
• Response Playbook: New World Screwworm (Draft), U.S. Department of Agriculture, October 2025
• New World Screwworm (Fact Sheets, Technical Bulletins, Online Resources), Texas A&M AgriLife Extension

This entry was posted on December 4, 2025 at 4:15 PM and has received 115 views. Print this entry.

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

• Read guides related to drones. (LLRX.com, November 20, 2025)
• Consider the economic impact of the Trump administration. (Center for Economic Policy Research, December 2025)
• Find consumer protection resources related to motor vehicles. (Texas Department of Motor Vehicles, accessed December 3, 2025)
• Review holiday decoration safety tips. (Texas Department of Insurance, December 2, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on December 4, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 115 views. Print this entry.

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

• Search enacted legislation related to capital punishment by state. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated September 17, 2025)
• Review the 2025 Urban Mobility Report. (Texas A&M Transportation Institute, August 2025)
• Read a call for public input related to HHSC funding requests for the next legislative session. (Texas Health & Human Services Commission, November 7, 2025)
• See how Americans view vaccines, vaccine requirements, and vaccine safety. (Pew Research Center, November 18, 2025)
• Explore the public financial disclosure reports of current and former U.S. Presidents and Vice Presidents. (U.S. Office of Government Ethics, accessed November 19, 2025)
• Consider how to get the most use out of AA batteries for a variety of devices. (MakeUseOf, November 17, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on November 20, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 320 views. Print this entry.

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

• Review a report related to reducing firearm violence. (JAMA, November 3, 2025)
• Track wildfire risk in your area. (Texas A&M Forest Service, accessed November 10, 2025)
• Read about how long Americans would like to live. (Pew Research Center, November 12, 2025)
• Explore the BEAM (Bacteria, Enterics, Ameba, and Mycotics) Dashboard. (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, last review April 18, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on November 13, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 341 views. Print this entry.

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.

November 13, 2025
House Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education and Senate Select Committee on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Education (Joint Hearing)
The Senate and House Select Committees on Civil Discourse & Freedom of Speech in Higher Ed will meet jointly to hear invited testimony regarding:

Topic: The encouragement of civil discourse and freedom of speech on, and protection from undue administrative censorship by, the state’s college campuses

• Texas Republicans Are Redefining Higher Ed. It’s Creating Confusion About Free Speech On Campuses, The Texas Tribune, October 23, 2025
• Spotlight on Speech Codes 2025, Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), July 28, 2025
• Interim Report to the 86th Legislature (Charge No. 9, Campus Free Speech), Texas Senate Committee on State Affairs, December 2018
• Joint Statement on Rights and Freedoms of Students, American Association of University Professors (AAUP)

Monitoring: The implementation of Senate Bill 37, 89th Regular Session

Topic: Identification of measures to provide proper security and ensure the public’s safety for public and social gatherings on the state’s college campuses.

• Safety and Security at Institutions of Higher Education: Understanding Trends, Practices, and Future Needs, RAND Corporation, May 20, 2025

This entry was posted on November 7, 2025 at 4:25 PM and has received 510 views. Print this entry.

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

• Find election returns for the November 4, 2025 election. (Texas Secretary of State, accessed November 4, 2025)
• Read about aspects of Texas’ top business climate. (Site Selection, accessed November 5, 2025)
• Consider opting out of airlines selling your travel data. (404 Media, November 4, 2025)
• Review an FAQ about recent legislation that affects education. (Texas Education Agency, updated October 10, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on November 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 371 views. Print this entry.

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

• Find Texas Fire Danger (TFD) maps. (Texas Weather Connection, © 2025)
• Explore the Texas Historical Sites Atlas. (Texas Historical Commission, accessed October 29, 2025)
• See which 20 apps are most invasive. (PCMag, updated September 30, 2025)
• Review the USDA Plan to Fortify the American Beef Industry. (U.S. Department of Agriculture, October 20, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on October 30, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 350 views. Print this entry.

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.

November 3, 2025
House Committee on State Affairs
The Committee will meet to hear invited testimony only on:

Topic: Efforts to improve wildfire preparedness, response, and mitigation

• Borger's Prescribed Burning Success: A Shield Against Texas Panhandle Wildfires, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension, May 2025
• Military Installation Resilience: Wildfire, National Conference of State Legislatures, updated March 28, 2025
• Statewide Assessment of Economic and Environmental Risk from Wildfire in Texas, Texas A&M Forest Service, February 2025
• Interim Report to the 89th Texas Legislature (Charge 5 – Panhandle Wildfires), House Committee on State Affairs, January 2025
• A Report to the House of Representatives 89th Texas Legislature, Investigative Committee on the Panhandle Wildfires, May 1, 2024
• Wildfire & Other Disasters, Texas A&M Forest Service

Topic: Broadband Development Office

This entry was posted on October 29, 2025 at 1:45 PM and has received 483 views. Print this entry.

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

• See which states have English as an official language. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated October 20, 2025)
• Submit feedback or recommendations related to potential Texas government overregulation. (Office of the Texas Governor, launched October 2, 2025)
• Consider law enforcement access to Amazon’s Ring smart cameras via Flock Safety. (Ars Technica, October 17, 2025)
• Review artificial intelligence (AI) companies currently subject to copyright litigation. (ChatGPT is eating the world, October 19, 2025)

Librarians review and select articles from more than 1,000 print and online sources to compile a weekly annotated list of Current Articles of interest to the legislative community. View this week's Current Articles.

Members of the Texas legislative community may request articles by using our online form or by calling 512-463-1252.

This entry was posted on October 23, 2025 at 3:15 PM and has received 403 views. Print this entry.