BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	C.S.S.B. 2617
89R26568 GP-D	By: Creighton
	Education K-16
	4/29/2025
	Committee Report (Substituted)

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

In 2022, the State Board of Education considered replacing the traditional "BC" and "AD" date designations with "BCE" and "CE" but ultimately delayed major curriculum changes until 2025. Without clear statutory guidance, local districts could still adopt materials that move away from traditional terms. S.B. 2617 ensures consistency by requiring all school districts and openenrollment charters to adopt a policy using "Anno Domini (AD)" and "Before Christ (BC)" in instruction and materials. Acting now preserves long-standing historical terminology for Texas students.

(Original Author's/Sponsor's Statement of Intent)

C.S.S.B. 2617 amends current law relating to a policy adopted by a school district or open-enrollment charter school regarding the expression of dates.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter Z, Chapter 29, Education Code, by adding Section 29.935, as follows:

Sec. 29.935.� EXPRESSION OF DATES.� (a)� Requires the board of trustees of a school district or the governing body of an open-enrollment charter school to adopt and implement a policy requiring the use of the terms Anno Domini (AD) and Before Christ (BC) when expressing dates during student instruction.

(b) Prohibits a school district or open-enrollment charter school from purchasing or selecting curriculum materials for the district's or school's curriculum that express dates in a manner inconsistent with the policy adopted under Subsection (a).

SECTION 2.� Provides that this Act applies beginning with the 2026�2027 school year.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.