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.