86R5779 MTB-D
By: Biedermann H.B. No. 2216
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to display of the national motto in government buildings.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 10, Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 2207 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 2207. DISPLAY OF NATIONAL MOTTO IN GOVERNMENT BUILDINGS
Sec. 2207.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Political subdivision" includes a public school
district.
(2) "State agency" includes an institution of higher
education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.
Sec. 2207.002. DISPLAY OF NATIONAL MOTTO. (a) A building
owned by this state or a political subdivision of this state must
display a durable poster or framed copy of the United States
national motto, "In God We Trust," if the poster or framed copy
meets the requirements of Subsection (b) and is:
(1) donated for display in the building; or
(2) purchased from private donations and made
available for the building.
(b) A poster or framed copy of the national motto described
by Subsection (a) must contain a representation of the United
States flag centered under the national motto and a representation
of the state flag.
(c) A state agency and political subdivision may accept and
use private donations for the purposes of Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. Section 1.004, Education Code, is repealed.
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, 2019.