A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has not conducted a recent evaluation of demand for Integrated Risk Information System (IRIS) toxicity assessments with input from users inside and outside EPA. Specifically, EPA issued a needs assessment report in 2003, which estimated that 50 new or updated IRIS toxicity assessments were needed each year to meet users' needs. However, GAO did not find sufficient support for the estimate. In addition, IRIS Program officials recognize that the 2003 estimate does not reflect current conditions, but the agency does not plan to perform another evaluation of demand. Without a clear understanding of current demand for IRIS toxicity assessments, EPA cannot adequately measure the program's performance; effectively determine the number of IRIS toxicity assessments required to meet the needs of IRIS users; or know the extent of unmet demand."

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "GAO identified multiple data sources that could be used to develop measures to allocate Medicaid funding to states more equitably than the current funding formula--known as the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP)--which is based solely on per capita income (PCI). To be equitable from the perspective of beneficiaries and allow states to provide a comparable level of services to each person in need, a funding allocation mechanism should take into account the demand for services in each state and geographic cost differences among states. To be equitable from the perspective of taxpayers, an allocation mechanism should ensure that taxpayers in poorer states are not more heavily burdened than those in wealthier ones, by taking into account state resources. To illustrate, GAO identified at least one federal data source that could be used to develop measures of each of these aspects, in order to allocate Medicaid funding more equitably."

A weekly publication, the Texas Register serves as the journal of state agency rulemaking for Texas. Information published in the Texas Register includes proposed, adopted, withdrawn and emergency rule actions, notices of state agency review of agency rules, governor's appointments, attorney general opinions, and miscellaneous documents such as requests for proposals. After adoption, these rulemaking actions are codified into the Texas Administrative Code.

The report discusses the President's annual funding request for the Peace Corps, efforts to reauthorize the Peace Corps, and related issues. Current issues include the extent to which there is available funding for Peace Corps expansion, whether the Peace Corps has the institutional capacity to expand, and whether volunteers are able to function in a safe and secure environment.

This report discusses Presidential campaign funding and provides a brief policy overview and raises potential issues for congressional consideration.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the confidentiality of certain autopsy records.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the use of real property by the University of Houston--Sugar Land.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate in memory of former State Representative Frank Kell Cahoon of Midland.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to training, certification, and accreditation provided or regulated by the Texas Veterans Commission.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the shared work unemployment compensation program.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate recognizing the citizens of West.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the designation of a segment of U.S. Highway 80 as the Sergeant Travis E. Watkins Memorial Highway.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to certain promotional practices not considered to be prohibited discrimination, rebates, or inducements in insurance.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the regulation of industrialized housing.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to creating American Indian Heritage Day.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate designating March 2013 as Women's History Month.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to access to criminal history record information by the banking commissioner.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the applicability of state law governing funds transfers to certain remittance transfers.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the Cybersecurity, Education, and Economic Development Council.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate congratulating the Burnet Consolidated Independent School District Food Service Department on its role in the district's success in the HealthierUS School Challenge.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the administration, operation, supervision, and regulation of credit unions.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the abatement of mosquitoes in stagnant water located on certain uninhabited residential property.

Concurrent resolution introduced by the Texas House of Representatives and Senate honoring the Fasken family on the 100th anniversary of Fasken Oil and Ranch, Ltd.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the regulation of the practice of public accountancy.