HBA-DMD H.B. 1649 76(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1649 By: Hunter State, Federal, & International Relations 3/11/1999 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Currently, no written guidelines exist for the procedure for retiring a Texas flag, other than the statement that when a flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning, Texas Flag Code (Article 6139c, V.T.C.S.). H.B. 1649 establishes recommended procedures for retiring a state flag. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Article 6139c, V.T.C.S., (Texas Flag Code), by adding Section 6, as follows: Sec. 6. Sets forth that a state flag, when it is no longer used or is useful as an emblem for display, should be destroyed, preferably by burning, in a ceremony or other dignified way that emphasizes its honor as a fitting emblem for this state. Encourages a retirement of a state flag to be conducted in a public ceremony, although it may be conducted in a private ceremony, under the direction of uniformed personnel representing a state or national military service or a patriotic society. Sets forth recommended procedures to be used at a ceremony which retires a state flag. Creates language encouraged for use at a retirement ceremony for a state flag. SECTION 2. Amends Sections 3(ff) and (gg), Article 6139c, V.T.C.S., (Texas Flag Code), by deleting the text of Subsection (ff) which states that a state flag should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning, when the flag is in such a condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem for display. Redesignates Subsection (gg) to Subsection (ff). SECTION 3.Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage.