SRC-TJG, MLC S.B. 210 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 210 78R3031 KEG-DBy: Barrientos Administration 4/3/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Currently, state legislators are not allowed to display a Texas or United States flag outside their offices in the capitol. As proposed, S.B. 210 allows state legislators to display the Texas Flag and United States Flag outside their office in the capitol. This bill also allows a legislator to place a visitor register outside his or her office. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to The State Preservation Board in SECTION 1 (Section 443.024, Government Code) and SECTION 2 (Section 443.029, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 443.024, Government Code, by adding Subsection (e) to authorize a state legislator to display the flag of the State of Texas and the flag of the United States immediately outside the legislator's assigned office in the Capitol, and to require The State Preservation Board (board) to adopt rules to regulate the display of the flags and certain related requirements. SECTION 2. Amends Chapter 443, Government Code, by adding Section 443.029, as follows: Sec. 443.029. VISITOR REGISTERS FOR LEGISLATIVE OFFICES. Authorizes a state legislator to place a visitor register immediately outside the legislator's assigned office in the Capitol. Requires the board to adopt reasonable rules to regulate the placement of visitor registers and certain related requirements. SECTION 3. Requires the State Preservation Board to adopt rules as required by Sections 443.024(e) and 443.029, Government Code, as added by this Act, by January 1, 2004. SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2003.