A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "The Department of Defense (DOD) is experiencing a growing demand for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) assets to provide vital information in support of military operations. Over the next 7 years, DOD plans to invest over $28 billion in existing and new airborne ISR acquisition systems. This represents a marked increase over prior ISR investments. Given the significant investments, GAO was asked to (1) evaluate various ISR platforms for potential synergies and assess their cost and schedule status and the impact of any increases or delays on legacy systems and (2) assess the effectiveness of ISR investment decisions. To assess cost and schedule status, we reviewed programmatic and budget documentation. To evaluate investment decisions, we collected information on system capability, mission, and concept of operation and analyzed the data for similarities."

A letter report issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Researchers at federal agencies disseminate their research results through a variety of approaches, including scientific publications, presentations, press releases, and media interviews. Because of recent concerns about some federal researchers possibly being restricted from disseminating their research on controversial topics, GAO determined (1) the policies that guide the dissemination of federal research at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA); (2) how effectively these agencies have communicated their policies to researchers; and (3) the extent to which researchers have been restricted in disseminating their research. GAO conducted a survey of 1,811 researchers randomly selected at the three agencies, and had a 66 percent response rate."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Individuals working for the private industry are playing a larger role in national security work conducted by Department of Defense (DOD) and other federal agencies. As of May 2006, industry personnel held about 34 percent of DOD-maintained personnel security clearances. The damage that the unauthorized disclosure of classified information can cause to national security necessitates the prompt and careful consideration of who is granted a security clearance. Long-standing delays in determining clearance eligibility and other challenges led GAO to designate the DOD personnel security clearance program as a high-risk area in January 2005 and again in GAO's January 2007 update of the high-risk areas. In February 2005, DOD transferred its security clearance investigations functions to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) and now obtains almost all of its clearance investigations from OPM. The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is responsible for effective implementation of policy relating to determinations of eligibility for access to classified information. This testimony addresses the timeliness of the process and completeness of documentation used to determine eligibility of industry personnel for top secret clearances in January and February 2006. This statement relies primarily …

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Teachers are the single largest resource in our nation's elementary and secondary education system. However, according to recent research, many teachers lack competency in the subjects they teach. In addition, research shows that most teacher training programs leave new teachers feeling unprepared for the classroom. While the hiring and training of teachers is primarily the responsibility of state and local governments and institutions of higher education, the federal investment in enhancing teacher quality is substantial and growing. In 1998, the Congress amended the Higher Education Act (HEA) to enhance the quality of teaching in the classroom and in 2001 the Congress passed the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLBA), which established federal requirements that all teachers of core academic subjects be highly qualified. This testimony focuses on (1) approaches used in teacher quality programs under HEA and NCLBA, (2) the allowable activities under these acts and how recipients are using the funds, and (3) how Education supports and evaluates these activities. This testimony is based on prior GAO reports. We updated information where appropriate."

Testimony issued by the Government Accountability Office with an abstract that begins "Events such as the recent shootings by armed intruders in schools across the nation, natural disasters, the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and potential pandemics have heightened awareness for the need for school districts to be prepared to address a range of emergencies within and outside of schools buildings. Congress has raised concerns over school preparedness, with a particular interest in how federal agencies provide assistance to school districts. This testimony discusses preliminary findings related to GAO's review of emergency management in school districts, including (1) the roles of federal and state governments in establishing requirements and providing resources to school districts for emergency management planning, (2) what school districts have done to plan and prepare for emergencies, and (3) the challenges school districts have experienced in planning for emergencies, and communicating and coordinating with first responders, parents, and students. To obtain this information, GAO interviewed federal officials, surveyed a stratified random sample of all public school districts, surveyed state agencies that administer federal grants that can be used for school emergency management planning, conducted site visits to school districts, and reviewed relevant documents."

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Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to use of electronically readable information from a driver's license or personal identification certificate by a commercial business.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the transfer of registration and removal of license plates for the sale or transfer of used vehicles.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the grounds and procedures for removal of a member of the board of directors of the Lynn County Hospital District.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the processing of consumer rebates.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the investment authority of the Teacher Retirement System of Texas.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to certain notifications required for persons convicted of a misdemeanor involving family violence.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to designating the Donor Education, Awareness, and Registry Program of Texas as the Glenda Dawson Donate Life-Texas Registry.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to fraud investigations and criminal offenses involving the Medicaid program; providing criminal penalties.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the election, powers, and duties of the members of the board of directors of the Midland County Hospital District.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the eligibility of certain educational employees to participate or be enrolled in certain group health benefit programs.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the creation of the Los Fresnos Municipal Utility District No. 2 of Cameron County; providing authority to impose a tax and issue bonds; granting the power of eminent domain.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to performance audits of certain regional transportation authorities.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the authority of certain development corporations to spend tax revenue on certain mass transit-related facilities.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to county accounting procedures regarding certain audits, debts, and records.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the relocation of utility facilities required by improvement of a state highway.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to excepting from required disclosure under the public information law certain personal information maintained by a municipality that pertains to a minor.

Bill introduced by the Texas Senate relating to the powers and duties of the Starr County Hospital District of Starr County, Texas.

Bill introduced by the Texas House of Representatives relating to the use of motor vehicle registration or license plate information collected by a toll project entity.