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.