BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 3481

By: Rose

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

On December 1, 1955, by refusing to give up her seat on a bus in Montgomery, Alabama, Rosa Parks took one of the first public steps that led to the desegregation of public accommodations throughout the nation. Rosa Parks' actions became the foundation for equal rights for all Americans and led to the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. While some people currently observe December 1 as Rosa Parks Day, there have been calls to officially observe the date across the entire state. H.B. 3481 seeks to address this issue by designating December 1 as Rosa Parks Day in Texas.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 3481 amends the Government Code to designate December 1 as Rosa Parks Day in honor of Rosa Louise McCauley Parks for her courageous act of refusing to give up her seat on a Montgomery, Alabama, bus to protest segregation which helped launch the civil rights movement in the United States. The bill authorizes the day to be regularly observed by appropriate programs and activities.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2021.