HBA-DMD H.B. 2997 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2997
By: Culberson
State, Federal, & International Relations
7/30/1999
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

H.B. 2997 ensures that the state flag is of the same colors as those used
in the United State flag. This bill establishes a state motto, state bird,
and a state flower. It also sets forth the observation of State of Texas
Anniversary Remembrance Day (Star 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 Subsection (d), Article 6139a, V.T.C.S. (Description of
the State Flag), to set forth that the red and blue colors of the state
flag are the same colors used in the United States flag and are defined as
numbers 193, rather than 80108 (red), and 281, rather than 80075 (dark
blue), of the Pantone Matching System, rather than the Standard Color
Reference of America, 10th edition.  

SECTION 2.  Amends Sections (3)(d) and (s), Article 6139c, V.T.C.S. (Texas
Flag Code), to include national holidays as times when the state flag
should be displayed. Provides that the state flag should be displayed at
half-staff on Peace Officers Memorial Day (May 15), unless that day is also
Armed Forces Day.  

SECTION 3.  Amends Title 106, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6139g, as
follows:   

Art. 6139g. STATE MOTTO. Sets forth "friendship" as the state motto.

SECTION 4.  Amends Title 106, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6139h, as follows:

Art. 6139h. STATE BIRD. Sets forth that the mockingbird is the state bird. 

SECTION 5.  Amends Title 106, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 6139i, as follows:

Art. 6139i. STATE FLOWER. Sets forth that the bluebonnet is the state
flower.  

SECTION 6.  Amends Article 6143, V.T.C.S., as follows:

Art. 6139j. STATE TREE. Deletes text requiring the State Board of Control
and the State Parks Board to give due consideration to the pecan tree when
planning beautification of state parks or other public property belonging
to the State. Redesignated from Article 6143, V.T.C.S. 

SECTION 7.  Amends Subchapter C, Chapter 662, Government Code, by adding
Section 662.050, as follows: 

Sec. 662.050. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY (STAR DAY). (a)
Sets forth that February 19 is State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day
(STAR Day) in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day that James
Pinckney  Henderson became the first governor of the State of Texas in
1846.  

(b) Requires State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) to be
regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in the public
schools and other places to properly commemorate the annexation of this
state and to inspire a greater appreciation for the history of this state.  

SECTION 8.   Provides that it is the intent of the legislature that the
General Services Commission, the Parks and Wildlife Department, and other
state agencies continue to give due consideration to the state tree and the
state flower when planning beautification of state parks or other public
property.  

SECTION 9. Emergency clause. 
  Effective date: 90 days after adjournment.