TLA TEXLINE NO. 191
Posted: May 19, 2005
LEGISLATIVE ISSUES NETWORK
URGENT CALL TO ACTION
 ON SCHOOL DATABASE BILL AND UPDATE

Without your immediate phone calls, the school database legislation (SB 483/ HB 661) may die! While each measure has cleared its respective chamber, SB 483 (Staples) must pass the House. The measure is sponsored by Rep. Dan Branch. At this point, SB 483 is on its way to the Local and Consent Calendars Committee in the House, but the Local and Consent Calendars Committee must schedule it for a vote. The Committee will meet for the last time during the weekend, so they must schedule SB 483 to be heard next week. If not, the measure will die.

URGENT CALL TO ACTION

If your representative serves on the Local and Consent Calendars Committee, please contact the office immediately and urge your representative to schedule SB 483 for the earliest possible date.

Committee members are:

  • Rep. Elvira Reyna (Chair): office number (512) 463-0464
  • Rep. Dawnna Dukes (Vice-Chair): office number (512) 463-0506
  • Rep. Todd Baxter: office number (512) 463-0631
  • Rep. Carter Casteel: office number (512) 463-0325
  • Rep. David Farabee: office number (512) 463-0534
  • Rep. Linda Harper-Brown: office number (512)463-0641
  • Rep. Mark Homer: office number (512) 463-0650
  • Rep. Ruben Hope: office number (512) 463-0726
  • Rep. Charlie Howard: office number (512) 463-0710
  • Rep. Rene Oliveira: office number (512) 463-0640
  • Rep. Wayne Smith: office number (512) 463-0733

INSTRUCTIONS:

1) When you call, ask to speak to the staff person working on the Local and Consent Calendars Committee.

2) Tell them who you are so that they know you are in their district.

3) Tell them: “I would like Rep. XXX to know that SB 483 is very important to libraries and to please schedule SB 483 for the earliest possible calendar.”

4) Then, you can add a bit of information about the bill: “SB 483 would allow the State Library to negotiate online resources for school libraries. This will mean that schools can get better pricing for many online resources. Since all statewide school library programs were cut at TEA in 2003, this bill is critically needed to help provide students with important digital learning resources.”

5) Ask if they have any questions and thank them and the representative for their support.

THAT’S IT!

If your representative does not serve on the Committee, contact your representative and ask them to support the bill by contacting Chairman Reyna and asking for the bill to be scheduled for the earliest possible opportunity. To find your state representative, go to: http://www.capitol.state.tx.us/fyi/fyi.htm.

U P D A T E

The legislative session is coming to a close. While many items have yet to be resolved, here is a synopsis of where library issues stand at this moment.

Budget

The Conference Committee recommended to restore the initial 5% cut made to the Texas State Library and Archives Commission base budget. Additionally, the Committee opted to increase funding for TexShare by $1.25 million per year. The Committee has not yet determined if any funds will be available for school online databases. The Appropriations Bill will not be finalized until next week.  For additional information at budget issues, see Texline 188, 189, and 190.

Bills

  • HB 4  by Rep. Kent Grusendorf established an extensive list of educational technology goals for Texas schools. The measure included the expansion of the technology allotment and expanded the scope of instructional materials. The language of the bill was added to the Senate version of HB 2, the large education reform bill.
  • HB 463 by Rep. Harold Dutton proposed language requiring the evaluation of school library services as part of the overall accountability of public schools. The bill did not receive a hearing.
  • HB 789 by Rep. Phil King / SB 332 by Sen. Troy Fraser / other telecommunications-related legislation
    At the time of publication, several different pieces of legislation were added as amendments to other bills. The Senate is also now working on passage of a revised HB 789 but must negotiate with the House.  These pieces of legislation contain provisions to continue telecommunications discounts for libraries. The final language is yet to be crafted.
  • HB 2473 by Rep. Dianne Delisi regarding certain state publications maintained by the Texas State Library and Archives Commission was voted favorably from the Senate Government Organization Committee.
    HB 3412 by Rep. Roberto Alonzo required libraries to offer Internet access and allowed libraries to charge fees for such service. The bill did not receive a hearing.

    SB 1205 by Sen. Frank Madla establishes the authority for local governments to create multi-jurisdictional library districts and imposing local sales tax and/or ad valorem taxes to support the library district. The senate measure is set for floor action.
TEXLINE INDEX

TLA-Texline is an irregular publication of the Texas Library Association mailed directly to members interested in legislative and governmental issues affecting libraries. To subscribe--or to offer comments or suggestions-- contact Gloria Meraz, Director of Communications, Texas Library Association. Previous issues of Texline are archived on the TLA website.