HBA-MPM, JEK H.B. 1776 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 1776
By: Green
Public Education
7/3/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Studying the Declaration of Independence and the United States Constitution
educates students about the principles behind the founding of this country.
House Bill 1776 establishes the last week in September of each school year
as Celebrate Freedom Week. 

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. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 1776 amends the Education Code to require public schools to
recognize the last full week of classes in September as Celebrate Freedom
Week.  The bill authorizes Celebrate Freedom Week to include appropriate
instruction in each social studies class as determined by each school
district. The bill provides that the instruction should include an in-depth
study of the intent, meaning, and importance of the Declaration of
Independence and the United States Constitution, including the Bill of
Rights, in their historical context.  The bill authorizes a school district
to require its students in grade levels 3 through 12 to recite specific
text from the Declaration of Independence at the beginning of each school
day during Celebrate Freedom Week.   

H.B. 1776 authorizes the Texas Education Agency, in cooperation with other
participating state agencies, to promote Celebrate Freedom Week through a
coordinated program.  The bill does not give any other state agency the
authority to develop a program that provides instruction unless funds are
specifically appropriated to that agency for that purpose. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 7, 2001.  The Act applies beginning with the 2001-2002 school year.