79R4080 ATP-D

By:  Wong                                                         H.B. No. 1536



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to prohibiting derogatory names or designations for public 
property.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle E, Title 10, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 2206 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 2206.  PROVISIONS APPLICABLE TO STATE AND LOCAL

PUBLIC PROPERTY
	Sec. 2206.001.  DEROGATORY NAMES OR DESIGNATIONS OF PUBLIC 
PROPERTY PROHIBITED.  (a)  In this section, "public property" 
includes buildings, streets, and parks.
	(b)  This section applies to all governmental entities in or 
of this state, including state agencies, municipalities, counties, 
special districts, and any other political subdivision of this 
state.
	(c)  In naming or giving a designation to public property, a 
governmental entity may not use a name or designation that is 
derogatory to a racial or ethnic group.
	SECTION 2.  Chapter 2206, Government Code, as added by this 
Act, applies only to the naming of public property that occurs on or 
after the effective date of this Act.
	SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2005.