S.B. No. 797
AN ACT
relating to the display of the national motto in public schools and
institutions of higher education.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 1.004, Education Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 1.004. DISPLAY OF NATIONAL MOTTO. (a) A public
elementary or secondary school or an institution of higher
education as defined by Section 61.003 must [may] display in a
conspicuous place in each building of the school or institution 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 at the school or institution;
or
(2) purchased from private donations and made
available to the school or institution [in each classroom,
auditorium, and cafeteria].
(b) A poster or framed copy of the national motto described
by Subsection (a):
(1) must contain a representation of the United States
flag centered under the national motto and a representation of the
state flag; and
(2) may not depict any words, images, or other
information other than the representations listed in Subdivision
(1).
(c) A public elementary or secondary school and an
institution of higher education may accept and use private
donations for the purposes of Subsection (a).
SECTION 2. 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, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 797 passed the Senate on
April 19, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 797 passed the House on
May 25, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 106, Nays 35, four
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor