BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 3209 83R10092 EAH-D By: Alonzo; Menndez (Uresti) Administration 5/13/2013 Engrossed
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center H.B. 3209
83R10092 EAH-D By: Alonzo; Menndez (Uresti)
Administration
5/13/2013
Engrossed
Senate Research Center
H.B. 3209
83R10092 EAH-D
By: Alonzo; Menndez (Uresti)
Administration
5/13/2013
Engrossed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Willie Velasquez was a leader of the movement to increase political power and participation among Hispanic Americans. He envisioned a time when Latinos would play an important role in the American democratic process. As part of his efforts, Velasquez founded the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project in 1974. This project grew to be the nation's largest voter registration project aimed at the Hispanic community. Velasquez was also a leader of a Hispanic-American political party, La Raza Unida, and alongside Cesar Chavez, led the famous 1968 farmworkers' strike in south Texas. In 1995 President Bill Clinton awarded Velasquez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor any civilian can receive. Velazquez was only the second Latino ever to earn that honor. H.B. 3209 seeks to designate May 9 as Willie Velasquez Day in Texas as an optional paid day off in celebration of Willie Velasquez's birthday. H.B. 3209 amends current law relating to the designation of May 9 as Willie Velasquez Day. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 662, Government Code, by adding Section 662.015, as follows: Sec. 662.015. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY FOR WILLIE VELASQUEZ DAY. (a) Requires that the 9th day of May be designated "Willie Velasquez Day" in observance of the birthday of William "Willie" Cardenas Velasquez. (b) Authorizes the administrative head of a state agency to allow an employee of the agency to have a day off with pay on Willie Velasquez Day in lieu of any other state holiday that occurs on a weekday, other than a weekday on which an election is held throughout the state, on which the state agency is required to be open but on which the operations of the agency are required to be maintained at only a minimum level. (c) Requires each state agency, on Willie Velasquez Day, to remain open and conduct the operations of the agency at a minimum level. (d) Provides that a holiday allowed under this section is in lieu of another holiday prescribed by law. Provides that the total number of holidays in a year to which an employee of a state agency is entitled is not changed by this section. SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2013.
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Willie Velasquez was a leader of the movement to increase political power and participation among Hispanic Americans. He envisioned a time when Latinos would play an important role in the American democratic process.
As part of his efforts, Velasquez founded the Southwest Voter Registration and Education Project in 1974. This project grew to be the nation's largest voter registration project aimed at the Hispanic community.
Velasquez was also a leader of a Hispanic-American political party, La Raza Unida, and alongside Cesar Chavez, led the famous 1968 farmworkers' strike in south Texas.
In 1995 President Bill Clinton awarded Velasquez the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest honor any civilian can receive. Velazquez was only the second Latino ever to earn that honor.
H.B. 3209 seeks to designate May 9 as Willie Velasquez Day in Texas as an optional paid day off in celebration of Willie Velasquez's birthday.
H.B. 3209 amends current law relating to the designation of May 9 as Willie Velasquez Day.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 662, Government Code, by adding Section 662.015, as follows:
Sec. 662.015. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY FOR WILLIE VELASQUEZ DAY. (a) Requires that the 9th day of May be designated "Willie Velasquez Day" in observance of the birthday of William "Willie" Cardenas Velasquez.
(b) Authorizes the administrative head of a state agency to allow an employee of the agency to have a day off with pay on Willie Velasquez Day in lieu of any other state holiday that occurs on a weekday, other than a weekday on which an election is held throughout the state, on which the state agency is required to be open but on which the operations of the agency are required to be maintained at only a minimum level.
(c) Requires each state agency, on Willie Velasquez Day, to remain open and conduct the operations of the agency at a minimum level.
(d) Provides that a holiday allowed under this section is in lieu of another holiday prescribed by law. Provides that the total number of holidays in a year to which an employee of a state agency is entitled is not changed by this section.
SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2013.