HBA-MPA H.B. 316 76(R)    BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 316
By: Chavez
State Affairs
2/18/1999
Introduced



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas recognizes the diversity of the people in this state
through a number of state holidays.  Cesar Chavez spent his life laboring
in fields to help support his family and was  a strong advocate for civil
rights.  H.B. 316 recognizes Cesar Chavez  by creating an optional state
holiday on which Texans may celebrate his life. 

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 Title 72, V.T.C.S., by adding Article 4591.5, as follows:

Art. 4591.5.  CESAR CHAVEZ DAY.  (a) Requires designation of March 31st as
"Cesar Chavez Day" in observance of the birthday of Cesar Chavez. 

(b) Authorizes the administrative head of a state agency to allow an
employee to have a day off with pay on Cesar Chavez Day in lieu of any
other state holiday that occurs on a weekday, other than a state-wide
election day or a day on which the state agency is required to remain open
but when operations may be maintained at a minimal level.  

(c) Requires each state agency to remain open on Cesar Chavez Day, but may
operate at a minimal level. 

(d) Provides that this holiday is in lieu of another legal holiday, and the
total number of legal holidays to which an employee is entitled is not
increased by this Act. 

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3. Emergency clause.