84R3243 JSL-D
By: Canales H.B. No. 901
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to a student election to select the athletics nickname of
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 79, Education Code, is amended by adding
Section 79.11 to read as follows:
Sec. 79.11. ELECTION FOR ATHLETICS NICKNAME. (a) The
university shall hold an election to select the athletics nickname
of the university. The university shall include on the ballot:
(1) the "Broncs";
(2) the "Ocelots"; and
(3) any other options the university chooses,
including nicknames nominated by students and approved by the
university.
(b) The board shall designate as the athletics nickname of
the university the nickname selected by a plurality vote of the
students voting in the election held under Subsection (a). In case
of a tie between nicknames receiving more votes than any other, the
board shall designate the athletics nickname of the university by
lot.
SECTION 2. (a) The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley
shall hold the election required under Section 79.11(a), Education
Code, as added by this Act, not later than December 31, 2015.
(b) The board of regents of The University of Texas System
shall make the designation required under Section 79.11(b),
Education Code, as added by this Act, not later than May 31, 2015,
for application beginning with the 2016 fall semester.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2015.