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Current Articles & Research Resources, October 17, 2024

Oct 17

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.

  • Read about the lack of law or regulation regarding the use of federal facial recognition technology. (U.S. Commission on Civil Rights, September 2024)
  • Consider social media consumer data surveillance. (Electronic Frontier Foundation, October 8, 2024)
  • Explore state elections. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated September 20, 2024)
  • Review drilling permits issued. (Railroad Commission of Texas, accessed October 16, 2024)
  • Find information on rural law enforcement development grants. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, accessed October 16, 2024)

 

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 17, 2024 at 3:30 PM and has received 96 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 21, 2024

Oct 17

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th 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.

 

October 21, 2024
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Topic: Criminal procedure related to capital punishment and new science writs under Article 11.073, Code of Criminal Procedure.

 

 

This entry was posted on October 17, 2024 at 9:35 AM and has received 212 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: October 2024

Oct 15

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our October 2024 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 or contact the library at 512-463-1252.

 

1. Digitally Invisible: How the Internet is Creating the New Underclass
By Nicol Turner Lee
Presents personal anecdotes and testimonials to demonstrate how digital deserts and lack of internet access are exacerbating the economic, health, and social disparities challenging the less fortunate. Discusses the impact of digital inequality on minority groups such as people of color, the elderly, rural populations, and students. Argues that the U.S. must make drastic changes to achieve digital equality and remain competitive on the world stage.
Brookings Institution Press, 2024, 226 pages
303.48 T954 2024

 

 

2. Discredited: Power, Privilege, and Community College Transfer
By Lauren Shudde
Investigates the obstacles that many students face when they transfer from community colleges to universities. Analyzes results of a six-year study conducted on transfer-intending students in two Texas community college districts. Discusses how universities have created barriers to the student-transfer pathway, including uneven information access; inconsistent and ambiguous transfer criteria; and credit loss. Calls for changes at the university and state government levels to facilitate easier and more equitable transfers between institutions.
Harvard Education Press, 2024, 178 pages
378.1 SCH384D 2024

 

 

3. Essentials of Texas Water Resources, 8th ed.
By Holly Heinrich, editor
Compiles a collection of essays by 78 experts on core concepts of Texas water resources and laws, along with recent developments and issues. Covers a variety of topics, including water rights; surface water and groundwater issues; flood management; water utilities; water districts; climate change; and the economics of water.
State Bar of Texas, 2024, Various paging
B600.8 ES74 2024

 

 

4. The Fall of Roe: The Rise of a New America
By Elizabeth Dias and Lisa Lerer
Chronicles the last decade of Roe v. Wade before it was overturned in 2022. Investigates the rise of conservative political and religious campaigns to restrict abortion access, and the failure of reproductive rights advocates to recognize and effectively respond to the threat to abortion rights. Mentions former State Senator Wendy Davis and her filibuster against SB 5, 83rd Legislature, 1st C.S., along with former Texas Governor Ann Richards and her daughter Cecile Richards. Includes a chapter on the passage of the Texas Heartbeat Act (SB 8, 87th Legislature, R.S.).
Flatiron Books, 2024, 433 pages
342.7308 D541 2024

 

 

5. No Democracy Lasts Forever: How the Constitution Threatens the United States
By Erwin Chemerinsky
Contends that the U.S. Constitution should be replaced because it has contributed to the nation’s current political polarization and dysfunction. Argues that due to the Constitution’s inherent flaws—its treatment of race, dependence on the Electoral College, an unrepresentative Senate, and the influence of the Supreme Court—it is a threat to American democracy. Suggests that if the political climate continues to degrade and the Constitution is not changed, the U.S. may be on the path to various forms of secession.
Liveright Publishing Corporation, 2024, 223 pages
973.93 C517N 2024

 

 

6. That Librarian: The Fight Against Book Banning in America
By Amanda Jones
Documents the experience of a school librarian in Louisiana while facing book challenges relating to LGBTQ+ issues and racism. Describes recent events relating to book banning; censorship; and intellectual freedom in U.S. libraries, including in Llano, Texas.
Bloomsbury Publishing, 2024, 269 pages
303 J76T 2024

 

 

7. Turtle on a Post: A Memoir of Texas State Senator Carl Parker
By Carl Parker and Jim Sanderson
Offers a collection of memoir essays on the personal and political experiences of former State Senator Carl Parker. Details the workings of being a legislator through anecdotes from his time in the Texas House of Representatives (1962-1977) and the Texas Senate (1977-1995). Highlights legislative processes; goals; and accomplishments through stories of his committee work; the Killer Bees; repealing antiquated laws; and passing major statewide legislation. Includes an appendix of legislation passed with Carl Parker as the primary author for the 58th through 73rd Legislatures.
Lamar University Literary Press, 2024, 207 pages
328.764 P238T 2024

 

 

 

This entry was posted on October 15, 2024 at 3:50 PM and has received 128 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 10, 2024

Oct 10

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.

  • Compare the fiscal plans of the presidential campaigns. (Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, October 7, 2024)
  • Explore a media bias chart. (Ad Fontes Media, accessed October 9, 2024)
  • Track wildfire risk in your area. (Texas A&M Forest Service, accessed October 9, 2024)
  • Search congressionally mandated reports. (U.S. Government Publishing Office (GPO), accessed October 9, 2024)

 

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 10, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 167 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 14, 2024

Oct 8

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th 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.

 

October 15, 2024
Senate Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Impeachment Reform: Evaluate the constitutional and statutory impeachment procedures in our state. Make recommendations to ensure a fair and transparent process.

Charge: Lottery: Study “lottery courier services,” which allow their clients to purchase lottery tickets over the internet. Report on the number of couriers and the magnitude of sales from such services in Texas. Determine whether courier services are operating legally in Texas and whether a change in law is needed to respond to technological advancements to protect children in our state and to maintain original legislative intent. Recommend legislation to clarify Texas’s laws regarding online lottery sales.

Charge: Addressing Homelessness: Study programs that address the homelessness crisis in Texas. Specifically, review programs like Haven for Hope and determine whether such programs could be a model throughout our state. Propose legislation to address the root causes of homelessness by expanding successful programs for cities of all sizes.

Charge: Public Trust in Government: Examine the current state of accountability, ethics, and transparency in local government. Recommend ways to bolster public trust in local government by strengthening the Public Information Act and Open Meetings Act.

 

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October 16, 2024
House Committee on Criminal Jurisprudence
Topic: Criminal procedure related to capital punishment and new science writs under Article 11.073, Code of Criminal Procedure.

 

House Committee on Licensing & Administrative Procedures
Charge: Monitoring: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

  • HB 1859, relating to the regulation of air conditioning and refrigeration contracting, including eligibility for an air conditioning and refrigeration technician registration or certification;
  • HB 3579, relating to the regulation of massage therapists and massage establishments by the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and political subdivisions; and
  • HB 4446, relating to certain licensing and permitting requirements for game rooms; authorizing an occupational permit or license; authorizing a fee.

The Committee will be hearing invited testimony only regarding the following agencies: Texas Racing Commission, State Office of Administrative Hearings, Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission, Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation and Texas Lottery Commission.

The Committee will also hear invited testimony only relating to the Texas Lottery Commission current rules and regulations regarding “lottery courier services,” and single buyer mass purchases.

 

House Select Committee on Securing Texas from Hostile Foreign Organizations
Charge: Study the threat posed by hostile foreign organizations and related entities on the Texas economy, security, and values.

Charge: Evaluate the ways in which hostile foreign organizations acquire property, including real property, in Texas as well as the attendant risks. Recommend policy changes to mitigate the risks posed by ownership of Texas assets by hostile foreign organizations

Charge: Examine rates of intellectual property (IP) theft in the state and identify the industries most impacted. Make recommendations to better secure the IP of government and businesses operating in the state and ensure Texas remains competitive in the face of economic aggression by hostile foreign organizations.

 

Senate Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Runoff Elections: Study the prerequisites, timing, and efficiency of runoff elections. Make recommendations to increase the efficiency and lower the costs of runoff elections. Examine the 50% vote threshold to avoid a runoff, particularly when four or more candidates are running for the same office. Report whether the vote percentage threshold should be lowered in some instances.

Charge: Stop Noncitizen Voting: Evaluate the current safeguards in place to prevent noncitizens from voting in elections. Recommend legislation to facilitate the removal of noncitizen voters from the voter rolls as well as legislation to prevent noncitizens from registering to vote in Texas.

Charge: Election Audit Reports: Evaluate the Secretary of State’s election audit reports. Make recommendations to secure our elections and ensure counties follow the law.

Charge: Unmasking Protestors: Study the use of face coverings and hoods designed to conceal the identity of those bent on committing crimes at protests. Recommend legislation to stop the chaos and destruction by those who attempt to commit crimes while concealing their identity during public gatherings.

Monitoring: Monitor the implementation of legislation addressed by the Senate Committee on State Affairs passed by the 88th Legislature. Specifically, evaluate the impact of Senate Bill 2284, relating to the sale of distilled spirits to ultimate consumers by the holder of a distiller's and rectifier's permit. Report whether the increased sale of distilled spirits has had a positive impact on economic development and public safety in this industry.

 

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October 17, 2024
Senate Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Social Media & Protecting Children: Study the impact of social media use on children. Review current mechanisms in place to protect minors online. Monitor the implementation of House Bill 18, 88th Legislature, relating to the protection of minors from harmful, deceptive, or unfair trade practices in connection with the use of certain digital services and electronic devices, including the use and transfer of electronic devices to students by a public school. Make policy recommendations to further protect Texas children online.

Charge: Responsible Investing: Study the impact of environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors on our state’s public pensions, with a focus on proxy voting services. Make recommendations to ensure our state’s pension systems vote and invest in accordance with their fiduciary responsibility to maximize profit. Additionally, monitor the implementation of Senate Bill 13, 87th Legislature, relating to state contracts with and investments in certain companies that boycott energy companies. Specifically, examine how a company is removed from the list of companies that boycott energy companies when the company ceases to boycott energy companies. Report on how frequently the list maintained by the comptroller is updated and make recommendations to ensure an ongoing accurate list.

Charge: Beverages with THC: Evaluate Texas laws and regulations concerning THC beverage manufacturing and delivery. Report on the current regulations and safeguards Texas may or may not have in place for drinks with any amount of THC. Recommend legislation to protect Texas consumers.

 

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This entry was posted on October 8, 2024 at 3:20 PM and has received 293 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, October 3, 2024

Oct 3

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.

  • Read about mortgage lending practices in flood risk-prone areas. (Federal Reserve Bank of New York, September 25, 2024)
  • Track Texas Department of Transportation projects across the state. (Texas Department of Transportation, accessed October 2, 2024)
  • Consider middle-class households by state, metropolitan area, and income. (Pew Research Center, September 16, 2024)
  • Explore sea level changes along the Texas coast. (Interagency Sea Level Task Force, accessed October 2, 2024)

 

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 3, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 194 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of October 7, 2024

Oct 2

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th 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.

 

October 8, 2024
Texas Energy Fund Advisory Committee
Topic: Review the operation, function, and structure of the Texas Energy Fund.

 

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October 9, 2024
Senate Committee on Finance
Charge: Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program: Review the expenditure of funds appropriated to the Texas Film Commission for the Texas Moving Image Industry Incentive Program (TMIIIP) by the 88th Legislature and assess the effectiveness of the program in promoting media production and stimulating local economies through job creation and business growth. Analyze application trends before and after the appropriation, with attention to high_profile or large-budget productions. Additionally, review other states and international incentive programs and evaluate Texas's workforce and educational needs in media production. Provide recommendations to improve the TMIIIP’s transparency and enhance Texas's competitive position.

Charge: School Enrollment Trends: Study post-pandemic student enrollment trends, and examine the possible causes behind the shift in student enrollment, including the rise in homeschooling, micro-schools, and other parental choice options. Make recommendations to ensure parents and educators have the tools and resources needed to respond to the projected enrollment changes and ensure that every child has the best educational options available to learn.

 

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October 10, 2024
House Committee on Transportation
Monitoring: Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction and oversee the implementation of relevant legislation passed by the 88th Legislature. Conduct active oversight of all associated rulemaking and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:

  • HB 718, relating to the issuance of certain tags, permits, and license plates authorizing the movement of vehicles and the transfer and renewal of certain license plates.
  • HB 1885, relating to the authority of the Texas Transportation Commission to establish variable speed limits.
  • HB 2170, relating to toll collections by a toll project entity.
  • HB 3288, relating to notice of transfer of a used motor vehicle.
  • SB 505, relating to imposing an additional fee for the registration of an electric vehicle.

Charge: Port Infrastructure and Maritime Industry: Study long-term needs of the maritime industry in Texas. Evaluate the implementation status of the Maritime Port Mission Plan and make recommendations to improve port planning, safety measures, and project delivery. Examine status of TxDOT seaport projects that received funding during the 88th Legislature.

Charge: Bridge Safety: Evaluate the current status of state-maintained bridges, existing safety standards related to bridges, and long-term financial needs for bridge planning, construction, maintenance, and inspection. Examine ways to improve bridge project delivery.

Charge: Alleviating Road Traffic: Identify the state's most congested roadways and review state forecasts for future congestion and the expected impact on economic activity. Evaluate TxDOT plans for alleviating congestion and consider the necessity of additional options to ensure economic development, congestion, and safety goals are achieved in a timely manner with reduced cost to public tax dollars.

 

Senate Committee on Criminal Justice
Charge: Retail Theft: Study the effects of organized retail crime in Texas and in other states. Evaluate the reporting and legislative suggestions from the statewide Organized Retail Theft Task Force. Make recommendations to protect the safety of retail employees and business owners in Texas.

Charge: Financial Crimes: Evaluate financial criminal activity trends in Texas, including the fiscal impact on consumers, financial institutions, local economies, and businesses. Determine the extent of payment fraud by transnational criminal gangs. Study the impact of the Financial Crimes Intelligence Center (FCIC). Make recommendations that enhance penalties for check and payment fraud and identify ways to strengthen financial crime investigations in Texas.

Charge: Supporting Victims of Sexual Assault: Examine the collection and processing of “rape kits” by law enforcement agencies and testing laboratories. Make recommendations to ensure that forensic evidence collected from victims of sexual assault is processed in a timely manner.

 

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This entry was posted on October 2, 2024 at 3:35 PM and has received 286 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 26, 2024

Sep 26

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.

  • Examine rural road infrastructure and safety in the U.S. (TRIP, September 2024)
  • Read about causes of and rates of obesity throughout the country. (Trust for America’s Health, September 2024)
  • See how to sign up for emergency alerts via smartphone settings, email, or text message. (LLRX, September 23, 2024)
  • Consider vehicle miles traveled and congestion issues. (StreetLight, accessed September 25, 2024)

 

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 September 26, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 220 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of September 30, 2024

Sep 25

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, 88th 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 30, 2024
House Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Securing the border: Conduct a review of functions and operations of state agencies involved with carrying out Operation Lone Star as they relate to securing the border and preventing transnational criminal activity. Evaluate whether agencies have sufficient resources and authority to carry out their prescribed duties. Make recommendations to increase the safety and wellbeing of personnel and efficiency of agency operations as needed.

 

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October 1, 2024
House Select Committee on Artificial Intelligence & Emerging Technologies
Charge: Determining the impact of the application of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies on various sectors of society, including transportation, healthcare, licensed industries, and unlicensed industries.

Charge: Formulating recommendations for legislative, policy, regulatory, and remedial actions needed to address the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence and emerging technologies.

 

House Select Committee on Business & Commerce
Charge: Managing Texas Sized Growth: Evaluate the state's ability to keep pace with increasing electricity demand related to population growth and energy intensive technologies such as electric vehicles and data centers. Recommend ways to increase reliability via demand-side response programs. Study ERCOT's forecasting methodology and recommend ways to increase transparency. Monitor ongoing efforts at the Public Utility Commission related to energy efficiency programs and distributed energy resources, including the implementation of Senate Bill 1699, 88th Legislature.

Charge: Innovative Power Generation: Explore emerging technologies with the potential to add new dispatchable power to our electric grid including, but not limited, to small modular nuclear reactors, advanced batteries, and new developments in hydrogen and geothermal resources. Identify and recommend regulatory and policy actions required to deploy emerging technologies within the state's electric grid.

Charge: Addressing the Rising Cost of Insurance: Assess the impact of rising property and casualty insurance costs on Texas property owners, real estate lenders, and commercial and industrial development. Identify ways to increase consumer transparency to better inform coverage decisions and make recommendations to ensure a competitive and affordable insurance market for consumers.

Charge: Non-Compete Agreements: Examine the impact of the Federal Trade Commission’s final rule on non-compete agreements on Texas employers including, but not limited to, contractual exceptions and limitations on independent contractors, for-profit and non-profit businesses, and senior executives. Identify ways to address balancing legitimate business interests of employers while also protecting employment mobility, increasing innovation, and fostering new business formation. Report on whether any changes should be made to existing law on the criteria, procedures, and remedies on enforcing non-compete and alternative agreements.

 

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October 2, 2024
House Committee on Judiciary & Civil Jurisprudence
Examine proposals to increase judicial compensation.

Review proposed modifications allowing paraprofessionals to provide limited legal services.

Review the current use and misuse of the Texas Citizens Participation Act.

Discuss the use of civil nondisclosure agreements in settlements involving the sexual abuse of a child.

Discuss the use of court orders seeking to change an individual's sex on government documents.

 

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This entry was posted on September 25, 2024 at 3:00 PM and has received 324 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, September 19, 2024

Sep 19

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 state and federal actions related to the impact of AI (artificial intelligence) in elections. (National Conference of State Legislatures, update September 12, 2024)
  • Review the 2023 Cryptocurrency Fraud Report. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, released September 9, 2024)
  • Consider recent state legislation related to the regulation of AI. (Future of Privacy Forum, September 2024))
  • Track landslides and landslide susceptibility throughout the U.S. (U.S. Geological Survey, September 9, 2024)
  • Read about the FDA’s approval of over-the-counter hearing aid software. (U.S. Food and Drug Administration, September 12, 2024)

 

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 September 19, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 421 views. Print this entry.

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