Texas. Legislative Reference Library

The Legislative Reference Library was created in 1909 as a division of the Texas State Library. In 1969 it was made an independent agency of the legislature (Senate Bill 263, 61st Legislature, Regular Session). The Library serves as a source of nonpartisan, impartial research and information, assisting state legislators and their staff, state agency heads and their staff, and the general public in obtaining information on specific legislative problems and on other matters affecting the state.

The Legislative Library Board, which makes policy for the Legislative Reference Library, is composed of six members: four ex-officio members (the lieutenant governor, who serves as chair; the speaker of the house; the chair of the Senate Finance Committee; and the chair of the House Appropriations Committee); plus one state senator appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one state representative appointed by the speaker. The board appoints a director.

The holdings of the Legislative Reference Library include, by statute, the following: checklists and catalogs of current legislation in Texas and in other states; catalogs of bills and resolutions presented in the Texas Legislature; checklists of public documents in each state; checklists of all reports issued by each Texas state agency; digests of public laws of Texas and other states; and an up-to-date law library.

In addition, the Library contains the following: original legislative bill files from 1973 to the present (the library receives copies of each printed daily legislative journal, bill, resolution, or other legislative document); federal materials; a newspaper clipping file relating to Texas government and politics; publications of organizations such as the Council of State Governments, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Education Association, and Southern Regional Education Board; and general reference material.

The library is a depository library which receives state documents and publications from other states, distributed by the Texas State Library.

From the guide to the Governors' speeches and other statements, 1947-1969, (bulk 1958-1968), (Repository Unknown)

The Legislative Reference Library was created in 1909 as a division of the Texas State Library. In 1969 it was made an independent agency of the legislature (Senate Bill 263, 61st Legislature, Regular Session). The Library serves as a source of nonpartisan, impartial research and information, assisting state legislators and their staff, state agency heads and their staff, and the general public in obtaining information on specific legislative problems and on other matters affecting the state.

The Legislative Reference Library Board (called the Legislative Library Board until 1973), which makes policy for the Legislative Reference Library, is composed of six members: four ex-officio members (the lieutenant governor, who serves as chair; the speaker of the house; the chair of the Senate Finance Committee; and the chair of the House Appropriations Committee); plus one state senator appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one state representative appointed by the speaker. The board appoints a director.

The holdings of the Legislative Reference Library include, by statute, the following: checklists and catalogs of current legislation in Texas and in other states; catalogs of bills and resolutions presented in the Texas Legislature; checklists of public documents in each state; checklists of all reports issued by each Texas state agency; digests of public laws of Texas and other states; and an up-to-date law library.

In addition, the Library contains the following: original legislative bill files from 1973 to the present (the library receives copies of each printed daily legislative journal, bill, resolution, or other legislative document); federal materials; a newspaper clipping file relating to Texas government and politics; publications of organizations such as the Council of State Governments, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Education Association, and Southern Regional Education Board; and general reference material. The library is a depository library which receives state documents and publications from other states, distributed by the Texas State Library.

The library regularly publishes the Bibliography of State Agency Publications and the List of New Legislative Reference Acquisitions . It maintains an on-line database for appointments to all state boards and commissions, with the cooperation of the Texas Legislative Council. And it updates the Legislative Information System of Texas (LIST), showing bill histories.

The Legislative Reference Library had twelve full-time equivalent employees as of 1999, and no formal divisions.

From the guide to the Board meeting minutes, 1969-1991, 1998, (Repository Unknown)