HBA-TYH, BTC H.B. 467 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 467
By: Wise
State Affairs
3/30/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Cesar Chavez was an active civil rights leader who first organized U.S.
farm workers and co-founded the United Farm Workers of America.  Chavez
rallied for and succeeded in improving the wages, schooling, housing, and
other living conditions of  farm workers of all ethnic backgrounds.  In
1991, Chavez received one of Mexico's premier awards, Aguila Azteca (Aztec
Eagle) for contributions made outside Mexico, and was posthumously
presented in 1994 with our nation's highest civilian honor, the
Presidential Medal of Freedom.  A joint resolution pending in the U.S.
House of Representatives, H.J.R. 65, would designate March 31, Chavez's
birthday, as a national holiday.  In Texas, a coalition of labor, church,
youth and advocacy groups has been organizing to have Texas declare a state
holiday in his honor.  H.B. 467 establishes March 31st as a state holiday
called "Cesar Chavez Day." 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.   Amends Section 662.021, Government Code, to make a conforming
change.  

SECTION 2.    Amends Section 662.003(b), Government Code, to include March
31st, "Cesar Chavez Day," among the list of state holidays.  Redesignates
existing Subdivisions (4) - (9) to Subdivisions (5) - (10), respectively. 

SECTION 3.Effective date:  September 1, 1999.

SECTION 4.  Emergency clause.