By: Homer, Phillips (Senate Sponsor - Ellis) H.B. No. 4767
         (In the Senate - Received from the House May 1, 2009;
  May 6, 2009, read first time and referred to Committee on
  Government Organization; May 23, 2009, reported adversely, with
  favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 5,
  Nays 0; May 23, 2009, sent to printer.)
 
  COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 4767 By:  Hegar
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
 
  relating to the designation of days, weeks, and months for
  recognition by concurrent resolution of the legislature.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 391, Government Code, is
  amended to read as follows:
  CHAPTER 391. RESOLUTIONS FOR STATE SYMBOLS, [AND] PLACE
  DESIGNATIONS, AND RECOGNITION DAYS, WEEKS, AND MONTHS
         SECTION 2.  Section 391.001, Government Code, is amended to
  read as follows:
         Sec. 391.001.  EFFECT OF CHAPTER.  (a)  This chapter governs
  the designation of state symbols, [and] place designations, and
  days, weeks, and months for recognition made by the legislature by
  resolution approved by each house of the legislature.
         (b)  This chapter does not affect the designation of:
               (1)  a state symbol or a place designation made by:
                     (A) [(1)]  resolution before September 1, 2001;
  or
                     (B) [(2)]  statute; or
               (2)  a day, week, or month for recognition made by:
                     (A)  resolution before September 1, 2009; or
                     (B)  statute.
         SECTION 3.  Chapter 391, Government Code, is amended by
  adding Section 391.004 to read as follows:
         Sec. 391.004.  DESIGNATING DAYS, WEEKS, OR MONTHS FOR
  RECOGNITION.  (a)  In this section, "date designation" means the
  special observance authorized by the legislature that annually
  recognizes and honors a culturally or historically significant day,
  week, or month in the state.
         (b)  The legislature may assign more than one designation to
  a day, week, or month.
         (c)  Before the legislature may designate a day, week, or
  month for recognition, the legislature must be presented with
  information related to the historical or cultural significance of
  the day, week, or month to be recognized by persons supporting the
  designation.
         (d)  A designation of a day, week, or month for recognition
  expires on the 10th anniversary of the date the legislature finally
  passes the resolution making the designation. This subsection does
  not prevent the legislature from redesignating a day, week, or
  month for recognition during or after the 10-year period.
         SECTION 4.  Sections 391.002(c) and 391.003(f), Government
  Code, are repealed.
         SECTION 5.  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, 2009.
 
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