BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 174

By: Alonzo

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

American Indian communities and leaders have made many historic, cultural, and social contributions to Texas. However, while Texans have an opportunity to celebrate Columbus Day in honor of a person who discovered a nation, there is currently no holiday honoring the people of that nation. Several states have designated holidays to recognize American Indians and their culture, but Texas has not done so despite the sizable population of American Indians living in this state. H.B. 174 seeks to remedy this situation by creating American Indian Heritage Day.

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

H.B. 174 amends the Government Code to designate the last Friday in September as American Indian Heritage Day in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made to Texas.  The bill requires American Indian Heritage Day to be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in the public schools and other places to honor American Indians in Texas and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2013.