C.S.H.B. 1776 78(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


C.S.H.B. 1776
By: Hughes
Public Education
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Declaration of Independence reflects the principles and convictions
upon which the United States was founded.  Many individuals, however, are
not familiar with the content and history of this document.  In the 77th
Legislative Session,  House Bill 1776 created Celebrate Freedom Week in
public schools. Studying the Declaration of Independence and the United
States Constitution educates students about the principles in the founding
of this country.   

C.S.H.B. 1776 sets forth provisions regarding an in-depth study of the
Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution as well as
daily recitation of an excerpt from the Declaration of Independence during
Celebrate Freedom Week. This bill moves the current date for Celebrate
Freedom Week from the last week of September to the week of Veteran's Day,
November 11 and requires schools in Texas to observe Celebrate Freedom
Week. 


RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly
granted to the State Board of Education in SECTION 2 of this bill. 


ANALYSIS

C.S.H.B. 1776 amends the Education Code by designating the week including
November 11, rather than the last week of September, as Celebrate Freedom
Week. The bill deletes current provisions authorizing a school district to
include appropriate instruction, as determined by each school district, in
each social studies class during Celebrate Freedom Week.  

The bill requires the State Board of Education, no later than December 31,
2003, to adopt rules relating to the requirements of the social studies
class instruction during Celebrate Freedom Week. 


EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act
takes effect September 1, 2003. 


COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

C.S.H.B. modifies the original version by conforming to Legislative
Council style and format. C.S.H.B. modifies the original by deleting the
incorrect school year identified for the applicability of the Act.
C.S.H.B. modifies the original by setting the social studies class
requirements under the rule of the State Board of Education rather in
statute.