SRC-JLB S.B. 1759 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1759 By: Jackson Education 4/22/2003 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Current law allows Texas school districts to schedule spring break periods that include the 2nd Tuesday of March in even-numbered years or during primary elections. Some believe that such scheduling results in a loss of voters, loss of poll workers, and a loss of money. As proposed, S.B. 1759 prohibits a school district from scheduling a spring break period which would include the second Tuesday in March of even-numbered years, unless an exception applies. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 25, Education Code, by adding Section 25.0812, as follows: Sec. 25.0812. SPRING BREAK SCHEDULING. (a) Prohibits a school district, except as authorized under Subsection (b), from scheduling a spring break vacation period that includes the second Tuesday in March of an even-numbered year. (b) Authorizes the commissioner of education to approve a spring break vacation period that includes the second Tuesday in March of an even-numbered year if disaster, flood, extreme weather conditions, fuel curtailment, or another calamity occurs that makes it advisable for a school district to reschedule the period to that time. SECTION 2. (a) Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003. (b) Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2003-2004 school year.