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Current Articles & Research Resources, August 22, 2024

Aug 22

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.

  • Review the 2024 State Flood Plan. (Texas Water Development Board, August 15, 2024)
  • Track burn bans in Texas by county. (Texas A&M Forest Service, accessed August 20, 2024)
  • Explore statistics related to pediatric vehicular heatstroke deaths. (Jan Null, CCM Department of Meteorology & Climate Science, San Jose State University, updated August 21, 2024)
  • Report internet crime by filing a complaint online. (Federal Bureau of Investigation, accessed August 21, 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 August 22, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 351 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of August 26, 2024

Aug 21

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.

 

August 26, 2024
House Committee on Elections
Charge: Adherence to Texas Election Laws: Evaluate the Secretary of State’s Election Audit Program’s findings and solicit information regarding emergent election issues in other counties. Make recommendations to ensure counties faithfully adhere to Texas election laws and those tasked with administering and enforcing the law receive appropriate resources and training.

Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction:

  • the storage and management processes for voter registration data and those tasked with administering and monitoring these processes.

The Committee will also be hearing invited testimony only to solicit information regarding potential emergent election issues in other counties.

 

House Committee on Juvenile Justice & Family Issues
Interim Charge #1: 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:

Texas Juvenile Justice Department (TJJD), related to giving updates on the status of the agency, and how past legislation has impacted the agency, both good and bad, as well as providing updates to the ways the agency can and will utilize funding to provide better resources serving juveniles.

Interim Charge #2: "Best Interest of Child" in Family Law: Examine the Texas Family Code definition of "best interest of child" used in determining issues of conservatorship of and access to a child; determine whether policy changes can better protect the rights and interest of children and parents.

Interim Charge #3: Juvenile Justice System Outcomes - Evaluate the system for adjudicating and disposing of cases involving delinquent conduct and determine whether changes to juvenile court proceedings and improvements to the planning and funding for services to keep children in the juvenile justice system closer to home will lead to better overall outcomes for youth and public safety.

 

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August 27, 2024
House Committee on Human Services
Monitor the agencies and programs under the Committee’s jurisdiction.

  • Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) agency status update

Charge: Monitor 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 1575, relating to improving health outcomes for pregnant women; and
  • SB 24, relating to the powers and duties of the Health and Human Services Commission and the transfer to the commission of certain powers and duties from the Department of Family and Protective Services.

Charge: Evaluate access to Home and Community-based Services (HCS) waivers, including the interest list, effects of inflation on the cost of services, and availability of services and service providers. Consider the long-term stability of long-term services and supports in waiver programs and consider alternative delivery models.

 

Senate Committee on Business & Commerce
Charge: Artificial Intelligence: Examine the development and utilization of artificial intelligence (AI). Evaluate the implications of AI adoption across the public and private sectors. Make recommendations for a responsible regulatory framework for AI development, including data privacy, industry standards, consumer protections, risk mitigation, and compliance processes. Propose any necessary changes to state law to protect the Texas radio, television, music, and film industries against unauthorized use by AI. Monitor the findings of the Texas Artificial Intelligence Advisory Council.

Charge: Texas Energy Fund: Review and report on the impact of Senate Bill 2627, the Powering Texas Forward Act, as passed by the 88th Legislature, which established the Texas Energy Fund (TEF) to provide grants and loans to finance the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric facilities in Texas.

 

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This entry was posted on August 21, 2024 at 3:25 PM and has received 379 views. Print this entry.

New & Noteworthy Books and Reports: August 2024

Aug 19

posted by TexasLRL in New & Noteworthy

The Library is continually adding new books to its collection. Below are the titles from our August 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. The Afterlife of Data: What Happens to Your Information When You Die and Why You Should Care
By Carl Öhman
Explores what should be done with the data related to online identities or "digital remains" left behind after a person dies. Discusses the ethical, political, and economic issues related to who owns and controls digital remains, including the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology that emulates or "preserves" a deceased person. Addresses why and how we should manage, protect, and preserve digital remains in a manner that considers the living and the dead and not just profit.
University of Chicago Press, 2024, 199 pages
302.231 OH38 2024

 

 

2. Dismantling Mass Incarceration: A Handbook for Change
By Premal Dharia
Highlights the social and racial injustices inherent in the American criminal justice system and provides varied perspectives from advocates, experts, and the formerly incarcerated on how to confront the issue of mass incarceration. Compiles essays, anecdotes, and data analyses concerning reform of America’s prison system, with special emphases on police; prosecutors; public defenders; judges; prisons; and life after incarceration.
FSG Originals, 2024, 468 pages
365.70973 D533 2024

 

 

3. Statistics for Public Policy: A Practical Guide to Being Mostly Right (or at Least Respectably Wrong)
By Jeremy G. Weber
Provides guidance on how to use statistical information in a public policy setting. Presents seven core practices to bring clarity to statistics and data that will be useful for policymakers and aides. Covers understanding data and statistics, the importance of statistics in a policy setting, correlation and causality, creating informative tables, handling discrepancies, and more.
University of Chicago Press, 2024, 185 pages
300.151 W373 2024

 

 

4. The Political Determinants of Health
By Daniel E. Dawes
Analyzes the political determinants in health model and its role in advancing inequities in the U.S. healthcare system. Argues that by understanding the origins and the impact of three specific political determinants of health – voting, government, and policy – society will be better equipped to develop and implement actionable solutions to close the health gap. Includes discussion of the health equity movement, the Affordable Care Act (ACA), and oppositional efforts to undermine more equitable and inclusive health care policies.
Johns Hopkins University Press, 2020, 216 pages
362.10973 D269 2020

 

 

5. Forgetting to Be Afraid: A Memoir
By Wendy Davis
Details the life and experiences of former State Senator Wendy Davis. Written by Davis, this memoir discusses her early life and family; her path to public service; and her work in the Texas Senate from 2009 to 2015. Highlights some of her main policy goals while in the Senate, such as payday loans, education, and SB 1636, 82nd Legislature, R.S., a bill on sexual-assault evidence. Mentions her filibuster from 2011 of SB 1811, 82nd Legislature, R.S. and the impact the bill had on education funding. Discusses in detail her thirteen-hour filibuster from June 25, 2013 of SB 5, 83rd Legislature, 1st C.S., an anti-abortion bill.
Blue Rider Press, 2014, 304 pages
328.764 D299F 2014

 

 

6. Let Her Speak: Transcript of Texas State Senator Wendy Davis's June 25, 2013, Filibuster of the Texas State Senate
By Wendy Davis
This is a transcription of the thirteen-hour filibuster by former State Senator Wendy Davis of SB 5, 83rd Legislature, 1st C.S. from June 25, 2013. It includes all discussions recorded on the Senate video during the filibuster.
Counterpath, 2013, 206 pages
362.1988 D261 2013

 

 

7. The Power of the Texas Governor: Connally to Bush
By Brian McCall
Examines the gubernatorial powers in Texas government with a focus on the period from 1963 to 2000. Profiles governors' campaigns, political actions, and legacies. Discusses the relationship between these governors and the Legislature. Details the broader political background that influenced policy decisions and governing successes and failures. Written by former State Representative Brian McCall, who served in the Texas Legislature from 1991 to 2010. Includes discussions of former Governors John Connally, Preston Smith, Dolph Briscoe, William P. Clements, Mark White, Ann Richards, and George W. Bush.
University of Texas Press, 2009, 163 pages
976.4063 M124P 2008

 

 

 

This entry was posted on August 19, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 235 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 15, 2024

Aug 15

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 a lawsuit related to General Motors collecting drivers’ private data. (Attorney General of Texas, August 13, 2024)
  • See which law enforcement and government agencies have access to images of people’s faces. (Electronic Frontier Foundation, accessed August 14, 2024)
  • Learn about a nasal spray recently approved as an anaphylaxis treatment. (U.S. Food & Drug Administration, August 9, 2024)
  • Review a list of tech layoffs in 2024 so far. (TechCrunch, August 8, 2024)
  • Consider global preparedness related to potential pandemics. (World Health Organization, June 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 August 15, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 265 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of August 19, 2024

Aug 14

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.

 

August 20, 2024
House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Charge: 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 90, relating to benefits for certain members of the Texas military forces and survivors of members of the Texas military forces;

HB 671, relating to a veteran suicide prevention campaign;

In addition to the above legislation, the Committee will also be considering the implementation of:

HB 1457, relating to required military informed care or military cultural competency training for certain personnel of entities that provide mental health services to veterans or veterans' families before award of a state agency grant;

HB 2951, relating to the establishment of a service dog pilot program for certain veterans;

SB 538, relating to the use of appropriated money by the Texas State Guard for recruiting and retention purposes;

Charge: Identification and Support of Texas Veterans: Identify barriers to identifying and verification of veteran status. Make recommendations to improve identification efforts to better engage and support the state’s veteran populations.

Texas Military Department

Charge: Recruitment and Retention: Investigate current strategies for attracting new members to include JROTC/ROTC expansion and retaining existing personnel. Assess current retention rates and identify factors leading to personnel turnover.

Charge: Benefits: Review the current benefits package offered to members of the Texas State and National Guard, focusing on aspects such as healthcare, education incentives, and family support programs.

Charge: Facilities and Armories: Evaluate the state of existing facilities and armories in terms of their capacity, safety, and suitability for current and future operational needs.

 

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August 21, 2024
House Committee on Defense & Veterans' Affairs
Charge: 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:

SB 422, relating to the authority of certain military service members to engage in a business or occupation in this state;

Charge: Professional License Portability for Military and Spouses:?Evaluate compliance statewide with the Section 19 of the Veterans Auto and Education Improvement Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-333, 50 U.S.C. §4025a), concerning the portability of professional licenses of service members and spouses and make recommendations to ensure that service members and their spouses may, under appropriate circumstances, continue to practice under a license issued by another jurisdiction.

Charge: Strength of Texas Military Bases:?Review the federal criteria for considering and recommending base closure or realignment and evaluate the strength of Texas Military Bases under the scoring system utilized by the U.S. Department of Defense. Make recommendations to mitigate the risk of realignments or closures of military installations in Texas.

Charge: Charge: Recruitment and Retention:?Investigate current strategies for attracting new members to include JROTC/ROTC expansion and retaining existing personnel. Assess current retention rates and identify factors leading to personnel turnover.

Charge: Defense Research & Partnerships:?Review the role and contributions of the University of Texas San Antonio to the defense of the state and nation through defense research, especially with regard to security infrastructure, talent recruitment, and development of partnerships with the federal government.

 

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This entry was posted on August 14, 2024 at 2:40 PM and has received 266 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 8, 2024

Aug 8

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.

  • Consider which states have the most confrontational drivers. (Forbes Advisor, July 22, 2024)
  • Explore a recently-created campaign finance legislation database. (National Conference of State Legislatures, updated June 28, 2024)
  • Find state laws by topic related to various driver behaviors. (Governors Highway Safety Association, ©2024)
  • Read about federal agricultural assistance available for production losses due to extreme heat. (Congressional Research Service, August 6, 2024)
  • Track historical Ozone Action Days. (Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, last modified March 19, 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 August 8, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 419 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings and Sunset Commission Meeting – Week of August 12, 2024

Aug 7

posted by TexasLRL in Interim hearings, Sunset review, 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.

 

August 12, 2024
House Committee on Public Education
Charge: 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 1605, relating to instructional material and technology, the adoption of essential knowledge and skills for certain public school foundation curriculum subjects, and the extension of additional state aid to school districts for the provision of certain instructional materials; authorizing a fee;
  • HB 2209, relating to establishing the Rural Pathway Excellence Partnership (R-PEP) program and creating an allotment and outcomes bonus under the Foundation School Program to support the program; and
  • SB 2124, relating to an advanced mathematics program for public school students in middle school.

Charge: Consider issues and matters to increase educational opportunities in Texas to ensure that students and families have increased options to attend a high-quality school, regardless of circumstance. Evaluate the use of education savings accounts in other states and make recommendations for a Texas program, including suggestions on eligibility and prioritization of applicants.

 

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August 13, 2024
House Committee on Agriculture & Livestock
Charge: 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 1750, relating to the applicability of certain city requirements to agricultural operations; and
HB 2308, relating to nuisance actions and other actions against agricultural operations.

Charge: Examine foreign ownership of farm-, timber-, and pastureland and agricultural processing facilities in Texas to determine whether Texas industries and supply chains are adequately protected from threats and disruptions and if further safeguards and restrictions on ownership are needed.

 

House Committee on Public Education
Charge: Examine the causes for and the impact to student outcomes of the increasing number of newly hired Texas teachers who are not certified by the State Board for Educator Certification. Make recommendations to enhance opportunities for uncertified teachers to become certified and strengthen parental rights and notifications.

Charge: Evaluate opportunities to improve students’ foundational early literacy and numeracy outcomes in Pre-Kindergarten through the third grade. Study best practices for identifying students requiring reading and math intervention and providing evidence-based intervention strategies. Recommend changes and evaluate investments to increase the number of students achieving reading and math proficiency by the end of third grade.

 

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August 14, 2024
Sunset Advisory Commission
Staff presentation and public testimony:

 

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August 15, 2024
House Committee on Homeland Security & Public Safety
Charge 1: Monitoring: Conduct active oversight of all associated rule making and other governmental actions taken to ensure the intended legislative outcome of all legislation, including the following:
HB 3290, relating to the next generation 9-1-1 service fund;
SB 602, relating to the law enforcement authority of federal border patrol agents.

Charge 3: Use of Less-Lethal Devices in Law Enforcement: Study the use of less-lethal devices in law enforcement encounters, including recent incidents, and their potential to reduce the risk of death or injury to officers and suspects. Consider methods to increase the use of less-lethal devices for the safety and benefit of all parties.

Charge 4: Communications Interoperability: Study the communications challenges of first responders and emergency personnel. Make recommendations, considering the need for a cross-agency communications upgrade or statewide interoperability plan, to increase reliable, available, and modern communications for public safety and emergency response purposes in communities across the state.

 

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August 16, 2024
House Committee on State Affairs
Charge: Review TWIA Funding: Review current state policy as it relates to the operation and funding of the Texas Windstorm Insurance Association (TWIA), including state agency capacity to effectively oversee TWIA. Evaluate the ability of state agencies and instrumentalities to secure the seacoast region's ability to produce energy and advance science and technology, including the role of reinsurance in maintaining economic security and ways to reduce the burden of reinsurance purchases on energy production and scientific and technological advances, while maintaining adequate coverage for policyholders.

 

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This entry was posted on August 7, 2024 at 2:15 PM and has received 475 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, August 1, 2024

Aug 1

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.

  • See when the Texas sales tax holiday is for 2024. (Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, July 25, 2024)
  • Check on water quality at Texas beaches. (Texas General Land Office, accessed July 31, 2024)
  • Track broadband coverage in your area. (Federal Communications Commission, accessed July 31, 2024)
  • Consider data privacy and the law. (Cyber & Data Security Lab Working Paper, posted July 18, 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 August 1, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 388 views. Print this entry.

Current Articles & Research Resources, July 25, 2024

Jul 25

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 a recent U.S. Supreme Court decision on social media and First Amendment rights. (Electronic Frontier Foundation, July 22, 2024)
  • Review state government spending. (U.S. Census Bureau, July 18, 2024)
  • Find weekly fishing reports from all areas of Texas. (Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, issued weekly)
  • Explore the Airline Customer Service Dashboard. (U.S. Department of Transportation, updated May 31, 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 July 25, 2024 at 3:15 PM and has received 282 views. Print this entry.

Interim Hearings – Week of July 29, 2024

Jul 24

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.

 

July 29, 2024
Senate Special Committee on Hurricane & Tropical Storm Prep, Recovery, & Electricity
Topic: Review the state and electric utility companies' preparedness and response to hurricanes and tropical storms.

 

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July 31, 2024
House Committee on State Affairs
Charge: 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 9, relating to the development and funding of broadband and telecommunications services;

HB 2555, relating to transmission and distribution system resiliency planning by and cost recovery for electric utilities;

HB 5174, relating to the establishment and administration of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Consortium;

SB 1699, relating to electricity service in the ERCOT power region, including the participation of aggregated distributed energy resources in the ERCOT market;

SB 2627, relating to funding mechanisms to support the construction, maintenance, modernization, and operation of electric generating facilities; and

In addition to the above legislation, the Committee will also be considering the implementation of:

HB 1500, relating to the continuation and functions of the Public Utility Commission of Texas and the Office of Public Utility Counsel, and the functions of the independent organization certified for the ERCOT power region; increasing an administrative penalty.

Charge: Assessing utility preparedness, response, and recovery protocols, as well as reviewing recent performance in addressing severe weather events.

 

House Select Committee on Youth Health & Safety
Charge 2: Behavioral Health Services for At-Risk Youth: Evaluate programs and services currently available to children and families that are either involved with, or at a high risk for becoming involved with, the foster care and juvenile justice systems. Study the current barriers for accessing community-based behavioral health services for children with intense behavioral health needs, with an emphasis on ensuring that parents do not have to give up custody of children to gain access to services.

 

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This entry was posted on July 24, 2024 at 2:30 PM and has received 458 views. Print this entry.

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