BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 258

By: Hegar

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

S.B. 258 adds "one state under God" to the pledge of allegiance to the Texas state flag that is recited to conclude the state flag retirement ceremony.

H.B. 1034, 80th Legislature, Regular Session, 2007, added the phrase "one state under God" to the Texas pledge, and the provisions for the official retirement ceremony for the state flag need to be updated to include the phrase in order to be consistent.

As proposed, S.B. 258 amends current law relating to the pledge of allegiance to the state flag during a state flag retirement ceremony.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

SB 258 amends Section 3100.152(d), Government Code, to amend the language set forth for the official retirement ceremony for the state flag encouraged for public use to include the phrase, "one state under God."

EFFECTIVE DATE

Upon passage, or, if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect September 1, 2011.