HBA-SEP, JEK H.B. 686 77(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 686
By: Hupp
State Affairs
3/7/2001
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Understanding the Bill of Rights is an important part of education for
responsible citizenship. However, a recent Gallup poll indicated that only
25% of teens knew that the United States declared independence in 1776 and
even fewer teens knew that freedom of the press is protected by the First
Amendment.  House Bill 686 designates September 25 as Bill of Rights Day
and requires it to be observed regularly by appropriate programs in public
schools and other places. 

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 686 amends the Government Code to designate September 25 as Bill
of Rights Day.  The bill requires Bill of Rights Day to be regularly
observed by appropriate programs in the public schools and other places. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2001.