BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1901

By: Campbell

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that, while recognized as a state holiday, Texas Military Heroes Day is not currently celebrated in public schools. S.B. 1901 seeks to acknowledge the holiday in public schools by providing for a day to be designated for its recognition.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

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

S.B. 1901 amends the Education Code to require the governor to designate a day to be known as Texas Military Heroes Day in public schools to educate students about the sacrifices made by brave Texans who have served in the U.S. armed forces. The bill requires the Texas Military Heroes Day to include appropriate instruction, as determined by each public school district, which may include information about persons who have served in the U.S. armed forces and are from the community or the geographic area in which the district is located and participation, in person or using technology, in age-appropriate learning projects at battlefields and gravesites associated with a person who has served in the armed forces. The bill authorizes the Texas Education Agency to collaborate with other state agencies to promote Texas Military Heroes Day. The bill applies beginning with the 2017-2018 school year.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2017.