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Statutes > Texas > Government-code > Title-6-public-officers-and-employees > Chapter-662-holidays-and-recognition-days-weeks-and-months

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 6. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

SUBTITLE B. STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 662. HOLIDAYS AND RECOGNITION DAYS, WEEKS, AND MONTHS

SUBCHAPTER A. HOLIDAYS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES

Sec. 662.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Part-time state employee" means a state employee who

normally works fewer than 40 hours each week.

(2) "State agency" means a unit of state government, including a

state board, commission, council, department, committee, agency,

or office that was created by the constitution or a statute of

this state and is in any branch of state government. The term

does not include a local government, a river authority, a special

district, any other political subdivision, or an institution of

higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(3) "State employee" means an employee of a state agency or an

appointed officer of a state agency whose office is not created

by the state constitution. The term includes a part-time, hourly,

or temporary state employee.

(4) "Workday" means a day on which a state employee is normally

scheduled to work. The term does not include a national or state

holiday.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 27, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.002. APPLICABILITY TO EMPLOYEE OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE.

This subchapter applies to a state employee of the house of

representatives or the senate only at the discretion of the

presiding officer or the administration committee of each

respective house.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.003. DATES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HOLIDAYS. (a) A

national holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the first day of January, "New Year's Day";

(2) the third Monday in January, "Martin Luther King, Jr., Day"

in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

(3) the third Monday in February, "Presidents' Day";

(4) the last Monday in May, "Memorial Day";

(5) the fourth day of July, "Independence Day";

(6) the first Monday in September, "Labor Day";

(7) the 11th day of November, "Veterans Day," dedicated to the

cause of world peace and to honoring the veterans of all wars in

which Texans and other Americans have fought;

(8) the fourth Thursday in November, "Thanksgiving Day"; and

(9) the 25th day of December, "Christmas Day."

(b) A state holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the 19th day of January, "Confederate Heroes Day," in honor

of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate heroes;

(2) the second day of March, "Texas Independence Day";

(3) the 21st day of April, "San Jacinto Day";

(4) the 19th day of June, "Emancipation Day in Texas," in honor

of the emancipation of the slaves in Texas in 1865;

(5) the 27th day of August, "Lyndon Baines Johnson Day," in

observance of the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson;

(6) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day;

(7) the 24th day of December; and

(8) the 26th day of December.

(c) An "optional holiday" includes only the days on which Rosh

Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Good Friday falls.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 20, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.004. MINIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES NEEDED TO CONDUCT

BUSINESS. (a) A state agency and an institution of higher

education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, shall

have enough employees on duty during a state holiday to conduct

the public business of the agency or institution.

(b) This section does not apply to a state holiday that falls on

a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, or the

24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 21, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.005. ENTITLEMENT TO PAID DAY OFF. (a) An individual

who is a state employee on the last workday before or the first

workday after a national or state holiday, or on both workdays,

is entitled, except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day

off from working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(2) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the holiday.

(b) Except as provided by Section 662.010, and notwithstanding

Section 659.015 or another law, a state employee who is a peace

officer commissioned by a state officer or state agency listed

under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or who is

employed by the Department of Public Safety either to perform

communications or dispatch services related to traffic law

enforcement or as a public security officer, as that term is

defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code, and who is

required to work on a national or state holiday that falls on a

Saturday or Sunday is entitled to compensatory time off at the

rate of one hour for each hour worked on the holiday.

(c) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 28, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 717, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 459, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 811, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 868, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1146, Sec. 5.14, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.006. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY. (a) An individual who is a

state employee on the last workday before or the first workday

after an optional holiday, or on both workdays, is entitled,

except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day off from

working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday;

(2) the employee agrees to give up, during the same fiscal year,

a state holiday that:

(A) does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing; and

(3) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the optional holiday.

(b) A state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working

for a state agency on each day of an optional holiday that

extends for more than one day if the employee:

(1) qualifies for the paid day off under Subsection (a); and

(2) agrees to give up during the same fiscal year an equivalent

number of state holidays that:

(A) do not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing.

(c) A state employee may not agree to give up the Friday after

Thanksgiving Day or the 24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 29, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.007. COMPENSATORY TIME. (a) A state employee who is

required to work on a national or state holiday is entitled to

compensatory time off during the 12 months after the holiday if

the state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working for

a state agency on the holiday under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee must give reasonable notice of the

employee's intention to use the compensatory time but is not

required to say how the compensatory time will be used.

(c) An institution of higher education as defined by Section

61.003, Education Code, may allow an employee who is required to

work on a national or state holiday that does not fall on a

Saturday or Sunday to take compensatory time off in accordance

with this section or may instead pay the employee at the

employee's regular rate of pay for that time if the institution

determines that allowing compensatory time off would disrupt

normal teaching, research, or other critical functions.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 30, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 22, eff. Sept.

1, 1999.

Sec. 662.0071. TRANSFERS OF COMPENSATORY TIME BALANCES. (a) A

state agency shall accept the balance of compensatory time

accrued under Section 662.007 by a state employee who transfers

to that agency from another state agency if the employee

transfers as a direct result of:

(1) the legislature's transfer of legal authority or duties from

the agency that formerly employed the employee to the agency that

currently employs the employee; or

(2) a requirement of the State Council on Competitive Government

for the agency that formerly employed the employee to bid a

commercially available service that the agency previously

performed.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the transferring state

employee is required to apply for the new position.

(c) In this section, "bid" means any process developed by the

State Council on Competitive Government to provide a commercially

available service in competition with private commercial sources

or state agency providers.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 662.0072. TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEE: PAYMENT FOR HOLIDAY. If a

state or national holiday occurs between the dates that a state

employee separates from one state agency and begins employment

with another state agency or an institution of higher education

without a break in service, the agency or institution of higher

education to which the employee transfers is responsible for

paying the employee for the holiday regardless of whether the

agency or institution of higher education that receives the new

employee recognizes the holiday.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Sec. 662.008. PART-TIME STATE EMPLOYEES. The pay of a part-time

state employee for a paid day off to which the employee is

entitled under this subchapter must be proportionally reduced to

account for the fewer hours the employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.009. EMPLOYEE WORKING OTHER THAN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

(a) A state employee who normally works 40 hours a week on a

schedule other than Monday through Friday is entitled to paid

holiday time off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours

multiplied by the number of national and state holidays in the

fiscal year as determined under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee to whom Subsection (a) applies who works

less than the entire fiscal year is entitled to paid holiday time

off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours multiplied by the

number of national and state holidays that occur during the

period worked by the employee under Section 662.005.

(c) The paid holiday time off of a part-time state employee who

works on a schedule other than Monday through Friday must be

proportionally reduced to account for the fewer hours the

employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.010. HOLIDAY BEFORE WORK BEGINS OR AFTER WORK ENDS.

(a) An individual must be a state employee on the workday before

and after a state or national holiday in order to be paid for

that holiday, unless the holiday falls on the employee's first or

last workday of the month.

(b) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 31, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 47, eff. June

20, 2003.

Sec. 662.011. HOLIDAYS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

(a) The governing body of an institution of higher education, as

defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public

junior college as defined by that section, may establish the

holiday schedule for the institution, subject to any applicable

limitation on the observance of holidays prescribed by the

General Appropriations Act.

(b) The number of holidays to be observed by the institution may

not exceed the number of holidays on which an employee of a state

agency is entitled to a day off.

(c) An employee of the institution is eligible to take paid

holiday leave only if the employee:

(1) is scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for a period

of at least four and one-half months; and

(2) is not employed in a position for which the employee is

required to be a student as a condition of the employment.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 24, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.012. RULES. The comptroller may establish procedures

and adopt rules to administer Sections 662.001-662.010.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 20, eff. June 19,

1997.

Sec. 662.013. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY FOR CESAR CHAVEZ DAY. (a) The

31st day of March shall be designated "Cesar Chavez Day" in

observance of the birthday of Cesar Chavez.

(b) The administrative head of a state agency may allow an

employee of the agency to have a day off with pay on Cesar Chavez

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) On Cesar Chavez Day, each state agency shall remain open and

conduct the operations of the agency at a minimum level.

(d) A holiday allowed under this section is in lieu of another

holiday prescribed by law. The total number of holidays in a year

to which an employee of a state agency is entitled is not changed

by this section.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 521, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

SUBCHAPTER B. LEGAL HOLIDAYS

Sec. 662.021. DATES OF HOLIDAYS. A legal holiday includes only

the following days:

(1) a national holiday under Section 662.003(a); and

(2) a state holiday under Sections 662.003(b)(1) through (6).

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.022. CLOSURE OF PUBLIC OFFICES. A public office of

this state may be closed on a legal holiday, except as provided

by Section 662.004.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.023. PRESENTMENT, NOTICE OF DISHONOR, AND PROTEST OF

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PAPER. A legal holiday is treated as a Sunday

for presenting for payment or acceptance, protesting, and giving

notice of the dishonor of a draft or promissory note.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

SUBCHAPTER C. RECOGNITION DAYS

Sec. 662.041. SAM RAYBURN DAY. (a) January 6 is Sam Rayburn

Day in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam

Rayburn.

(b) Sam Rayburn Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

programs in the public schools and other places to commemorate

the birthday of Sam Rayburn.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.042. FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY. (a)

April 9 is Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day in honor of

the courage of those Americans who suffered sacrifices and

tribulations as prisoners of war in the course of their military

service on behalf of this nation.

(b) Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.043. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARENESS WEEK. (a) May 22

through May 26 is International Trade Awareness Week to encourage

Texas businesses to engage effectively in the promotion and

development of international trade.

(b) International Trade Awareness Week shall be observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.044. COLUMBUS DAY. (a) The second Monday of October

is Columbus Day in honor of Christopher Columbus.

(b) Columbus Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies.

(c) Public offices of this state shall remain open on Columbus

Day.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.045. FATHER OF TEXAS DAY. (a) November 3 is Father of

Texas Day in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer

patriot and the real and true Father of Texas.

(b) Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F.

Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.046. TEXAS PARENTS DAY. The second Sunday in August of

each year is Texas Parents Day to celebrate the Texas family and

to emphasize the importance of parents taking an active role in

the raising and future of their children.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 758, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.047. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY (STAR

DAY). (a) February 19 is State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance

Day (STAR Day) in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day

that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the

State of Texas in 1846.

(b) State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) shall

be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in

the public schools and other places to properly commemorate the

annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation

for the history of this state.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 502, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999, and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1453, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 30,

1999. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 662.046, 662.050 by

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(58), eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 662.048. TEXAS FLAG DAY. Texas Flag Day shall be

celebrated each March 2, Texas Independence Day.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 7.103, eff. Sept.

1, 2001.

Sec. 662.049. PUBLIC SCHOOL PARAPROFESSIONAL DAY. (a) The

second Wednesday in May of each year is Public School

Paraprofessional Day in recognition of education

paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional

aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual

assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors.

(b) Public School Paraprofessional Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public

schools and other places to properly recognize the

paraprofessionals who have made tremendous contributions to the

educational process.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 287, Sec. 1, eff. May 23,

2001.

Sec. 662.050. TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS DAY. (a) September 11 is

Texas First Responders Day in honor of the bravery, courage, and

determination of Texas men and women who assist others in

emergencies.

(b) Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies in the public schools and other places to

honor Texas first responders. Each governmental entity may

determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes

Texas First Responders Day.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 614, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1312, Sec. 6, eff. June 21, 2003.

Sec. 662.051. WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY. (a) August 26 is

Women's Independence Day to commemorate the ratification in 1920

of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,

which guaranteed women the right to vote.

(b) Women's Independence Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate programs in the public schools and other places to

inspire a greater appreciation of the importance of women's

suffrage.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

19, Sec. 1, eff. May 9, 2005.

Sec. 662.052. TEXIAN NAVY DAY. (a) The third Saturday in

September of each year is Texian Navy Day in remembrance of the

Texian Navy.

(b) Texian Navy Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

697, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.051 by Acts 2007,

80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

921, Sec. 17.001(40), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.053. VOLUNTEERS FOR DEMOCRACY DAY. (a) The second

Tuesday in January of each year is Volunteers for Democracy Day

in honor of the precinct chairs and other election volunteers who

make valuable contributions to the nation's democratic system.

(b) Volunteers for Democracy Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

64, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.054. TEXAS ADOPTION DAY. (a) The Saturday before

Thanksgiving Day of each year is Texas Adoption Day to celebrate

and encourage adoption, adoptive families, and adoption workers

in Texas.

(b) Texas Adoption Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities that encourage

participation in and raise awareness about the adoption process

and that honor adoptive families and adoption workers in Texas.

(c) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall

create a statewide awareness campaign to promote Texas Adoption

Day and shall coordinate ceremonies and activities held

throughout the state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

386, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.053 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(43), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.055. DR. HECTOR P. GARCIA DAY. (a) The third

Wednesday of September is Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day in memory of

the significant contributions to the Mexican American civil

rights movement of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a distinguished

physician and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

and the founder of the American GI Forum, which promotes civil

rights protection of Hispanic veterans and all Americans. Dr.

Garcia, a World War II hero, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with

six battle stars in recognition of his meritorious service to the

United States.

(b) Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day may be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the importance of the

contributions made by Dr. Garcia.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

274, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.058. VIETNAM VETERANS DAY. (a) March 29 is Vietnam

Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who served in the

Vietnam War on behalf of this nation.

(b) Vietnam Veterans Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

558, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER D. RECOGNITION MONTHS

Sec. 662.101. BUFFALO SOLDIERS HERITAGE MONTH. (a) July is

Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month in honor of the bravery and

dedication of Texas' Buffalo Soldiers and in recognition of their

contribution to the legendary history of the Lone Star State.

(b) Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 478, Sec. 2, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.102. TEXAS HISTORY MONTH. (a) March is Texas History

Month in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of

the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas'

history.

(b) Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools and

other places to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas

history.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 423, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.103. TEXAS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH. (a) April is

Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month to promote awareness of the

health benefits of fruits and vegetables and to encourage Texans

to consume more fruits and vegetables.

(b) Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate celebrations and activities.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

377, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.104. LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. (a) November is

Lung Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of lung cancer

and encourage funding of research and more effective treatments.

(b) Lung Cancer Awareness Month may be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase the awareness of lung cancer and support for lung cancer

research.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

224, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.105. CHILD SAFETY MONTH. (a) April is Child Safety

Month in recognition of the children of this state as this

state's most precious resource. By establishing April as Child

Safety Month, this state seeks to ensure that the children of

this state grow up in a safe and supportive environment by

promoting their protection and care through increased public

awareness of:

(1) ways to reduce accidental injury and death through the use

of bicycle helmets, seat belts, safety and booster seats, and

smoke alarms; and

(2) the dangers presented to children by unattended and unlocked

vehicles and by being left in closed vehicles during hot or sunny

weather.

(b) Child Safety Month may be regularly observed by appropriate

celebrations and activities in public schools and other places to

promote the protection and care of children in this state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

651, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.103 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(44), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.106. HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH. (a) October is

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month to:

(1) increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious

neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of

cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and

(2) encourage the development of partnerships between the

federal government, health care professionals, and patient

advocacy groups to advance the public's understanding of the

condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition,

and support research for a cure.

(b) Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

966, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER E. RECOGNITION WEEKS

Sec. 662.151. TRANSPORTATION WEEK. The week that includes the

third Friday in May is Transportation Week in recognition of

National Transportation Week and the contributions of the

transportation industry to the State of Texas.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 462, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.152. OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK. The second full week in

September is obesity awareness week to raise awareness of the

health risks associated with obesity and to encourage Texans to

achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

1063, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.153. MONARCH BUTTERFLY WEEK. (a) The first seven days

of October are Monarch Butterfly Week to encourage Texas

residents and visitors to study, observe, and promote the life of

the state insect, the monarch butterfly.

(b) Through participation in the Texas Monarch Watch program

sponsored by the Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas residents

and visitors may help scientists answer research questions about

monarch biology and migration.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

501, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 662.154. TEXAS NATIVE PLANT WEEK. (a) The third full week

in October is Texas Native Plant Week to celebrate the native

plants of Texas.

(b) Texas Native Plant Week may be regularly observed in public

schools and other places with programs to appreciate, explore,

and study Texas native plants.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1403, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Texas > Government-code > Title-6-public-officers-and-employees > Chapter-662-holidays-and-recognition-days-weeks-and-months

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 6. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

SUBTITLE B. STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 662. HOLIDAYS AND RECOGNITION DAYS, WEEKS, AND MONTHS

SUBCHAPTER A. HOLIDAYS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES

Sec. 662.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Part-time state employee" means a state employee who

normally works fewer than 40 hours each week.

(2) "State agency" means a unit of state government, including a

state board, commission, council, department, committee, agency,

or office that was created by the constitution or a statute of

this state and is in any branch of state government. The term

does not include a local government, a river authority, a special

district, any other political subdivision, or an institution of

higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(3) "State employee" means an employee of a state agency or an

appointed officer of a state agency whose office is not created

by the state constitution. The term includes a part-time, hourly,

or temporary state employee.

(4) "Workday" means a day on which a state employee is normally

scheduled to work. The term does not include a national or state

holiday.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 27, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.002. APPLICABILITY TO EMPLOYEE OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE.

This subchapter applies to a state employee of the house of

representatives or the senate only at the discretion of the

presiding officer or the administration committee of each

respective house.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.003. DATES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HOLIDAYS. (a) A

national holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the first day of January, "New Year's Day";

(2) the third Monday in January, "Martin Luther King, Jr., Day"

in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

(3) the third Monday in February, "Presidents' Day";

(4) the last Monday in May, "Memorial Day";

(5) the fourth day of July, "Independence Day";

(6) the first Monday in September, "Labor Day";

(7) the 11th day of November, "Veterans Day," dedicated to the

cause of world peace and to honoring the veterans of all wars in

which Texans and other Americans have fought;

(8) the fourth Thursday in November, "Thanksgiving Day"; and

(9) the 25th day of December, "Christmas Day."

(b) A state holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the 19th day of January, "Confederate Heroes Day," in honor

of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate heroes;

(2) the second day of March, "Texas Independence Day";

(3) the 21st day of April, "San Jacinto Day";

(4) the 19th day of June, "Emancipation Day in Texas," in honor

of the emancipation of the slaves in Texas in 1865;

(5) the 27th day of August, "Lyndon Baines Johnson Day," in

observance of the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson;

(6) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day;

(7) the 24th day of December; and

(8) the 26th day of December.

(c) An "optional holiday" includes only the days on which Rosh

Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Good Friday falls.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 20, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.004. MINIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES NEEDED TO CONDUCT

BUSINESS. (a) A state agency and an institution of higher

education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, shall

have enough employees on duty during a state holiday to conduct

the public business of the agency or institution.

(b) This section does not apply to a state holiday that falls on

a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, or the

24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 21, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.005. ENTITLEMENT TO PAID DAY OFF. (a) An individual

who is a state employee on the last workday before or the first

workday after a national or state holiday, or on both workdays,

is entitled, except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day

off from working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(2) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the holiday.

(b) Except as provided by Section 662.010, and notwithstanding

Section 659.015 or another law, a state employee who is a peace

officer commissioned by a state officer or state agency listed

under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or who is

employed by the Department of Public Safety either to perform

communications or dispatch services related to traffic law

enforcement or as a public security officer, as that term is

defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code, and who is

required to work on a national or state holiday that falls on a

Saturday or Sunday is entitled to compensatory time off at the

rate of one hour for each hour worked on the holiday.

(c) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 28, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 717, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 459, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 811, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 868, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1146, Sec. 5.14, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.006. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY. (a) An individual who is a

state employee on the last workday before or the first workday

after an optional holiday, or on both workdays, is entitled,

except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day off from

working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday;

(2) the employee agrees to give up, during the same fiscal year,

a state holiday that:

(A) does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing; and

(3) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the optional holiday.

(b) A state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working

for a state agency on each day of an optional holiday that

extends for more than one day if the employee:

(1) qualifies for the paid day off under Subsection (a); and

(2) agrees to give up during the same fiscal year an equivalent

number of state holidays that:

(A) do not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing.

(c) A state employee may not agree to give up the Friday after

Thanksgiving Day or the 24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 29, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.007. COMPENSATORY TIME. (a) A state employee who is

required to work on a national or state holiday is entitled to

compensatory time off during the 12 months after the holiday if

the state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working for

a state agency on the holiday under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee must give reasonable notice of the

employee's intention to use the compensatory time but is not

required to say how the compensatory time will be used.

(c) An institution of higher education as defined by Section

61.003, Education Code, may allow an employee who is required to

work on a national or state holiday that does not fall on a

Saturday or Sunday to take compensatory time off in accordance

with this section or may instead pay the employee at the

employee's regular rate of pay for that time if the institution

determines that allowing compensatory time off would disrupt

normal teaching, research, or other critical functions.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 30, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 22, eff. Sept.

1, 1999.

Sec. 662.0071. TRANSFERS OF COMPENSATORY TIME BALANCES. (a) A

state agency shall accept the balance of compensatory time

accrued under Section 662.007 by a state employee who transfers

to that agency from another state agency if the employee

transfers as a direct result of:

(1) the legislature's transfer of legal authority or duties from

the agency that formerly employed the employee to the agency that

currently employs the employee; or

(2) a requirement of the State Council on Competitive Government

for the agency that formerly employed the employee to bid a

commercially available service that the agency previously

performed.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the transferring state

employee is required to apply for the new position.

(c) In this section, "bid" means any process developed by the

State Council on Competitive Government to provide a commercially

available service in competition with private commercial sources

or state agency providers.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 662.0072. TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEE: PAYMENT FOR HOLIDAY. If a

state or national holiday occurs between the dates that a state

employee separates from one state agency and begins employment

with another state agency or an institution of higher education

without a break in service, the agency or institution of higher

education to which the employee transfers is responsible for

paying the employee for the holiday regardless of whether the

agency or institution of higher education that receives the new

employee recognizes the holiday.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Sec. 662.008. PART-TIME STATE EMPLOYEES. The pay of a part-time

state employee for a paid day off to which the employee is

entitled under this subchapter must be proportionally reduced to

account for the fewer hours the employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.009. EMPLOYEE WORKING OTHER THAN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

(a) A state employee who normally works 40 hours a week on a

schedule other than Monday through Friday is entitled to paid

holiday time off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours

multiplied by the number of national and state holidays in the

fiscal year as determined under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee to whom Subsection (a) applies who works

less than the entire fiscal year is entitled to paid holiday time

off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours multiplied by the

number of national and state holidays that occur during the

period worked by the employee under Section 662.005.

(c) The paid holiday time off of a part-time state employee who

works on a schedule other than Monday through Friday must be

proportionally reduced to account for the fewer hours the

employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.010. HOLIDAY BEFORE WORK BEGINS OR AFTER WORK ENDS.

(a) An individual must be a state employee on the workday before

and after a state or national holiday in order to be paid for

that holiday, unless the holiday falls on the employee's first or

last workday of the month.

(b) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 31, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 47, eff. June

20, 2003.

Sec. 662.011. HOLIDAYS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

(a) The governing body of an institution of higher education, as

defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public

junior college as defined by that section, may establish the

holiday schedule for the institution, subject to any applicable

limitation on the observance of holidays prescribed by the

General Appropriations Act.

(b) The number of holidays to be observed by the institution may

not exceed the number of holidays on which an employee of a state

agency is entitled to a day off.

(c) An employee of the institution is eligible to take paid

holiday leave only if the employee:

(1) is scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for a period

of at least four and one-half months; and

(2) is not employed in a position for which the employee is

required to be a student as a condition of the employment.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 24, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.012. RULES. The comptroller may establish procedures

and adopt rules to administer Sections 662.001-662.010.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 20, eff. June 19,

1997.

Sec. 662.013. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY FOR CESAR CHAVEZ DAY. (a) The

31st day of March shall be designated "Cesar Chavez Day" in

observance of the birthday of Cesar Chavez.

(b) The administrative head of a state agency may allow an

employee of the agency to have a day off with pay on Cesar Chavez

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) On Cesar Chavez Day, each state agency shall remain open and

conduct the operations of the agency at a minimum level.

(d) A holiday allowed under this section is in lieu of another

holiday prescribed by law. The total number of holidays in a year

to which an employee of a state agency is entitled is not changed

by this section.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 521, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

SUBCHAPTER B. LEGAL HOLIDAYS

Sec. 662.021. DATES OF HOLIDAYS. A legal holiday includes only

the following days:

(1) a national holiday under Section 662.003(a); and

(2) a state holiday under Sections 662.003(b)(1) through (6).

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.022. CLOSURE OF PUBLIC OFFICES. A public office of

this state may be closed on a legal holiday, except as provided

by Section 662.004.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.023. PRESENTMENT, NOTICE OF DISHONOR, AND PROTEST OF

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PAPER. A legal holiday is treated as a Sunday

for presenting for payment or acceptance, protesting, and giving

notice of the dishonor of a draft or promissory note.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

SUBCHAPTER C. RECOGNITION DAYS

Sec. 662.041. SAM RAYBURN DAY. (a) January 6 is Sam Rayburn

Day in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam

Rayburn.

(b) Sam Rayburn Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

programs in the public schools and other places to commemorate

the birthday of Sam Rayburn.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.042. FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY. (a)

April 9 is Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day in honor of

the courage of those Americans who suffered sacrifices and

tribulations as prisoners of war in the course of their military

service on behalf of this nation.

(b) Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.043. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARENESS WEEK. (a) May 22

through May 26 is International Trade Awareness Week to encourage

Texas businesses to engage effectively in the promotion and

development of international trade.

(b) International Trade Awareness Week shall be observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.044. COLUMBUS DAY. (a) The second Monday of October

is Columbus Day in honor of Christopher Columbus.

(b) Columbus Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies.

(c) Public offices of this state shall remain open on Columbus

Day.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.045. FATHER OF TEXAS DAY. (a) November 3 is Father of

Texas Day in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer

patriot and the real and true Father of Texas.

(b) Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F.

Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.046. TEXAS PARENTS DAY. The second Sunday in August of

each year is Texas Parents Day to celebrate the Texas family and

to emphasize the importance of parents taking an active role in

the raising and future of their children.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 758, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.047. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY (STAR

DAY). (a) February 19 is State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance

Day (STAR Day) in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day

that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the

State of Texas in 1846.

(b) State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) shall

be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in

the public schools and other places to properly commemorate the

annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation

for the history of this state.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 502, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999, and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1453, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 30,

1999. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 662.046, 662.050 by

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(58), eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 662.048. TEXAS FLAG DAY. Texas Flag Day shall be

celebrated each March 2, Texas Independence Day.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 7.103, eff. Sept.

1, 2001.

Sec. 662.049. PUBLIC SCHOOL PARAPROFESSIONAL DAY. (a) The

second Wednesday in May of each year is Public School

Paraprofessional Day in recognition of education

paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional

aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual

assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors.

(b) Public School Paraprofessional Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public

schools and other places to properly recognize the

paraprofessionals who have made tremendous contributions to the

educational process.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 287, Sec. 1, eff. May 23,

2001.

Sec. 662.050. TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS DAY. (a) September 11 is

Texas First Responders Day in honor of the bravery, courage, and

determination of Texas men and women who assist others in

emergencies.

(b) Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies in the public schools and other places to

honor Texas first responders. Each governmental entity may

determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes

Texas First Responders Day.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 614, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1312, Sec. 6, eff. June 21, 2003.

Sec. 662.051. WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY. (a) August 26 is

Women's Independence Day to commemorate the ratification in 1920

of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,

which guaranteed women the right to vote.

(b) Women's Independence Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate programs in the public schools and other places to

inspire a greater appreciation of the importance of women's

suffrage.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

19, Sec. 1, eff. May 9, 2005.

Sec. 662.052. TEXIAN NAVY DAY. (a) The third Saturday in

September of each year is Texian Navy Day in remembrance of the

Texian Navy.

(b) Texian Navy Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

697, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.051 by Acts 2007,

80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

921, Sec. 17.001(40), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.053. VOLUNTEERS FOR DEMOCRACY DAY. (a) The second

Tuesday in January of each year is Volunteers for Democracy Day

in honor of the precinct chairs and other election volunteers who

make valuable contributions to the nation's democratic system.

(b) Volunteers for Democracy Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

64, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.054. TEXAS ADOPTION DAY. (a) The Saturday before

Thanksgiving Day of each year is Texas Adoption Day to celebrate

and encourage adoption, adoptive families, and adoption workers

in Texas.

(b) Texas Adoption Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities that encourage

participation in and raise awareness about the adoption process

and that honor adoptive families and adoption workers in Texas.

(c) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall

create a statewide awareness campaign to promote Texas Adoption

Day and shall coordinate ceremonies and activities held

throughout the state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

386, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.053 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(43), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.055. DR. HECTOR P. GARCIA DAY. (a) The third

Wednesday of September is Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day in memory of

the significant contributions to the Mexican American civil

rights movement of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a distinguished

physician and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

and the founder of the American GI Forum, which promotes civil

rights protection of Hispanic veterans and all Americans. Dr.

Garcia, a World War II hero, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with

six battle stars in recognition of his meritorious service to the

United States.

(b) Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day may be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the importance of the

contributions made by Dr. Garcia.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

274, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.058. VIETNAM VETERANS DAY. (a) March 29 is Vietnam

Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who served in the

Vietnam War on behalf of this nation.

(b) Vietnam Veterans Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

558, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER D. RECOGNITION MONTHS

Sec. 662.101. BUFFALO SOLDIERS HERITAGE MONTH. (a) July is

Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month in honor of the bravery and

dedication of Texas' Buffalo Soldiers and in recognition of their

contribution to the legendary history of the Lone Star State.

(b) Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 478, Sec. 2, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.102. TEXAS HISTORY MONTH. (a) March is Texas History

Month in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of

the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas'

history.

(b) Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools and

other places to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas

history.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 423, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.103. TEXAS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH. (a) April is

Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month to promote awareness of the

health benefits of fruits and vegetables and to encourage Texans

to consume more fruits and vegetables.

(b) Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate celebrations and activities.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

377, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.104. LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. (a) November is

Lung Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of lung cancer

and encourage funding of research and more effective treatments.

(b) Lung Cancer Awareness Month may be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase the awareness of lung cancer and support for lung cancer

research.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

224, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.105. CHILD SAFETY MONTH. (a) April is Child Safety

Month in recognition of the children of this state as this

state's most precious resource. By establishing April as Child

Safety Month, this state seeks to ensure that the children of

this state grow up in a safe and supportive environment by

promoting their protection and care through increased public

awareness of:

(1) ways to reduce accidental injury and death through the use

of bicycle helmets, seat belts, safety and booster seats, and

smoke alarms; and

(2) the dangers presented to children by unattended and unlocked

vehicles and by being left in closed vehicles during hot or sunny

weather.

(b) Child Safety Month may be regularly observed by appropriate

celebrations and activities in public schools and other places to

promote the protection and care of children in this state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

651, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.103 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(44), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.106. HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH. (a) October is

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month to:

(1) increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious

neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of

cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and

(2) encourage the development of partnerships between the

federal government, health care professionals, and patient

advocacy groups to advance the public's understanding of the

condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition,

and support research for a cure.

(b) Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

966, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER E. RECOGNITION WEEKS

Sec. 662.151. TRANSPORTATION WEEK. The week that includes the

third Friday in May is Transportation Week in recognition of

National Transportation Week and the contributions of the

transportation industry to the State of Texas.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 462, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.152. OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK. The second full week in

September is obesity awareness week to raise awareness of the

health risks associated with obesity and to encourage Texans to

achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

1063, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.153. MONARCH BUTTERFLY WEEK. (a) The first seven days

of October are Monarch Butterfly Week to encourage Texas

residents and visitors to study, observe, and promote the life of

the state insect, the monarch butterfly.

(b) Through participation in the Texas Monarch Watch program

sponsored by the Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas residents

and visitors may help scientists answer research questions about

monarch biology and migration.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

501, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 662.154. TEXAS NATIVE PLANT WEEK. (a) The third full week

in October is Texas Native Plant Week to celebrate the native

plants of Texas.

(b) Texas Native Plant Week may be regularly observed in public

schools and other places with programs to appreciate, explore,

and study Texas native plants.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1403, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.


State Codes and Statutes

State Codes and Statutes

Statutes > Texas > Government-code > Title-6-public-officers-and-employees > Chapter-662-holidays-and-recognition-days-weeks-and-months

GOVERNMENT CODE

TITLE 6. PUBLIC OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

SUBTITLE B. STATE OFFICERS AND EMPLOYEES

CHAPTER 662. HOLIDAYS AND RECOGNITION DAYS, WEEKS, AND MONTHS

SUBCHAPTER A. HOLIDAYS FOR STATE EMPLOYEES

Sec. 662.001. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Part-time state employee" means a state employee who

normally works fewer than 40 hours each week.

(2) "State agency" means a unit of state government, including a

state board, commission, council, department, committee, agency,

or office that was created by the constitution or a statute of

this state and is in any branch of state government. The term

does not include a local government, a river authority, a special

district, any other political subdivision, or an institution of

higher education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code.

(3) "State employee" means an employee of a state agency or an

appointed officer of a state agency whose office is not created

by the state constitution. The term includes a part-time, hourly,

or temporary state employee.

(4) "Workday" means a day on which a state employee is normally

scheduled to work. The term does not include a national or state

holiday.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 27, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.002. APPLICABILITY TO EMPLOYEE OF THE HOUSE OR SENATE.

This subchapter applies to a state employee of the house of

representatives or the senate only at the discretion of the

presiding officer or the administration committee of each

respective house.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.003. DATES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF HOLIDAYS. (a) A

national holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the first day of January, "New Year's Day";

(2) the third Monday in January, "Martin Luther King, Jr., Day"

in observance of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.;

(3) the third Monday in February, "Presidents' Day";

(4) the last Monday in May, "Memorial Day";

(5) the fourth day of July, "Independence Day";

(6) the first Monday in September, "Labor Day";

(7) the 11th day of November, "Veterans Day," dedicated to the

cause of world peace and to honoring the veterans of all wars in

which Texans and other Americans have fought;

(8) the fourth Thursday in November, "Thanksgiving Day"; and

(9) the 25th day of December, "Christmas Day."

(b) A state holiday includes only the following days:

(1) the 19th day of January, "Confederate Heroes Day," in honor

of Jefferson Davis, Robert E. Lee, and other Confederate heroes;

(2) the second day of March, "Texas Independence Day";

(3) the 21st day of April, "San Jacinto Day";

(4) the 19th day of June, "Emancipation Day in Texas," in honor

of the emancipation of the slaves in Texas in 1865;

(5) the 27th day of August, "Lyndon Baines Johnson Day," in

observance of the birthday of Lyndon Baines Johnson;

(6) the Friday after Thanksgiving Day;

(7) the 24th day of December; and

(8) the 26th day of December.

(c) An "optional holiday" includes only the days on which Rosh

Hashanah, Yom Kippur, or Good Friday falls.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 20, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.004. MINIMUM NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES NEEDED TO CONDUCT

BUSINESS. (a) A state agency and an institution of higher

education as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, shall

have enough employees on duty during a state holiday to conduct

the public business of the agency or institution.

(b) This section does not apply to a state holiday that falls on

a Saturday or Sunday, the Friday after Thanksgiving Day, or the

24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 21, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.005. ENTITLEMENT TO PAID DAY OFF. (a) An individual

who is a state employee on the last workday before or the first

workday after a national or state holiday, or on both workdays,

is entitled, except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day

off from working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(2) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the holiday.

(b) Except as provided by Section 662.010, and notwithstanding

Section 659.015 or another law, a state employee who is a peace

officer commissioned by a state officer or state agency listed

under Article 2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or who is

employed by the Department of Public Safety either to perform

communications or dispatch services related to traffic law

enforcement or as a public security officer, as that term is

defined by Section 1701.001, Occupations Code, and who is

required to work on a national or state holiday that falls on a

Saturday or Sunday is entitled to compensatory time off at the

rate of one hour for each hour worked on the holiday.

(c) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 28, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 717, Sec. 1, eff. Sept.

1, 2001; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 459, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 811, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 2003;

Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 868, Sec. 1, eff. June 20, 2003.

Amended by:

Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1146, Sec. 5.14, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.006. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY. (a) An individual who is a

state employee on the last workday before or the first workday

after an optional holiday, or on both workdays, is entitled,

except as provided by Section 662.010, to a paid day off from

working for a state agency on the holiday if:

(1) the holiday does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday;

(2) the employee agrees to give up, during the same fiscal year,

a state holiday that:

(A) does not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing; and

(3) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing the optional holiday.

(b) A state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working

for a state agency on each day of an optional holiday that

extends for more than one day if the employee:

(1) qualifies for the paid day off under Subsection (a); and

(2) agrees to give up during the same fiscal year an equivalent

number of state holidays that:

(A) do not fall on a Saturday or Sunday; and

(B) the General Appropriations Act does not prohibit state

agencies from observing.

(c) A state employee may not agree to give up the Friday after

Thanksgiving Day or the 24th or 26th day of December.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 29, eff.

June 19, 1997.

Sec. 662.007. COMPENSATORY TIME. (a) A state employee who is

required to work on a national or state holiday is entitled to

compensatory time off during the 12 months after the holiday if

the state employee is entitled to a paid day off from working for

a state agency on the holiday under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee must give reasonable notice of the

employee's intention to use the compensatory time but is not

required to say how the compensatory time will be used.

(c) An institution of higher education as defined by Section

61.003, Education Code, may allow an employee who is required to

work on a national or state holiday that does not fall on a

Saturday or Sunday to take compensatory time off in accordance

with this section or may instead pay the employee at the

employee's regular rate of pay for that time if the institution

determines that allowing compensatory time off would disrupt

normal teaching, research, or other critical functions.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 30, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 22, eff. Sept.

1, 1999.

Sec. 662.0071. TRANSFERS OF COMPENSATORY TIME BALANCES. (a) A

state agency shall accept the balance of compensatory time

accrued under Section 662.007 by a state employee who transfers

to that agency from another state agency if the employee

transfers as a direct result of:

(1) the legislature's transfer of legal authority or duties from

the agency that formerly employed the employee to the agency that

currently employs the employee; or

(2) a requirement of the State Council on Competitive Government

for the agency that formerly employed the employee to bid a

commercially available service that the agency previously

performed.

(b) Subsection (a) does not apply if the transferring state

employee is required to apply for the new position.

(c) In this section, "bid" means any process developed by the

State Council on Competitive Government to provide a commercially

available service in competition with private commercial sources

or state agency providers.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 46, eff. Sept. 1,

1997.

Sec. 662.0072. TRANSFERRING EMPLOYEE: PAYMENT FOR HOLIDAY. If a

state or national holiday occurs between the dates that a state

employee separates from one state agency and begins employment

with another state agency or an institution of higher education

without a break in service, the agency or institution of higher

education to which the employee transfers is responsible for

paying the employee for the holiday regardless of whether the

agency or institution of higher education that receives the new

employee recognizes the holiday.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 23, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

Sec. 662.008. PART-TIME STATE EMPLOYEES. The pay of a part-time

state employee for a paid day off to which the employee is

entitled under this subchapter must be proportionally reduced to

account for the fewer hours the employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.009. EMPLOYEE WORKING OTHER THAN MONDAY THROUGH FRIDAY.

(a) A state employee who normally works 40 hours a week on a

schedule other than Monday through Friday is entitled to paid

holiday time off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours

multiplied by the number of national and state holidays in the

fiscal year as determined under Section 662.005.

(b) A state employee to whom Subsection (a) applies who works

less than the entire fiscal year is entitled to paid holiday time

off during the fiscal year equal to eight hours multiplied by the

number of national and state holidays that occur during the

period worked by the employee under Section 662.005.

(c) The paid holiday time off of a part-time state employee who

works on a schedule other than Monday through Friday must be

proportionally reduced to account for the fewer hours the

employee normally works.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.010. HOLIDAY BEFORE WORK BEGINS OR AFTER WORK ENDS.

(a) An individual must be a state employee on the workday before

and after a state or national holiday in order to be paid for

that holiday, unless the holiday falls on the employee's first or

last workday of the month.

(b) In this section, "state employee":

(1) includes an individual who uses paid leave from a state

agency; and

(2) does not include an individual who uses unpaid leave from a

state agency.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 31, eff.

June 19, 1997; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1310, Sec. 47, eff. June

20, 2003.

Sec. 662.011. HOLIDAYS FOR INSTITUTIONS OF HIGHER EDUCATION.

(a) The governing body of an institution of higher education, as

defined by Section 61.003, Education Code, other than a public

junior college as defined by that section, may establish the

holiday schedule for the institution, subject to any applicable

limitation on the observance of holidays prescribed by the

General Appropriations Act.

(b) The number of holidays to be observed by the institution may

not exceed the number of holidays on which an employee of a state

agency is entitled to a day off.

(c) An employee of the institution is eligible to take paid

holiday leave only if the employee:

(1) is scheduled to work at least 20 hours per week for a period

of at least four and one-half months; and

(2) is not employed in a position for which the employee is

required to be a student as a condition of the employment.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993. Amended by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 279, Sec. 24, eff.

Sept. 1, 1999.

Sec. 662.012. RULES. The comptroller may establish procedures

and adopt rules to administer Sections 662.001-662.010.

Added by Acts 1997, 75th Leg., ch. 1035, Sec. 20, eff. June 19,

1997.

Sec. 662.013. OPTIONAL HOLIDAY FOR CESAR CHAVEZ DAY. (a) The

31st day of March shall be designated "Cesar Chavez Day" in

observance of the birthday of Cesar Chavez.

(b) The administrative head of a state agency may allow an

employee of the agency to have a day off with pay on Cesar Chavez

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) On Cesar Chavez Day, each state agency shall remain open and

conduct the operations of the agency at a minimum level.

(d) A holiday allowed under this section is in lieu of another

holiday prescribed by law. The total number of holidays in a year

to which an employee of a state agency is entitled is not changed

by this section.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 521, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1999.

SUBCHAPTER B. LEGAL HOLIDAYS

Sec. 662.021. DATES OF HOLIDAYS. A legal holiday includes only

the following days:

(1) a national holiday under Section 662.003(a); and

(2) a state holiday under Sections 662.003(b)(1) through (6).

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.022. CLOSURE OF PUBLIC OFFICES. A public office of

this state may be closed on a legal holiday, except as provided

by Section 662.004.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.023. PRESENTMENT, NOTICE OF DISHONOR, AND PROTEST OF

CERTAIN COMMERCIAL PAPER. A legal holiday is treated as a Sunday

for presenting for payment or acceptance, protesting, and giving

notice of the dishonor of a draft or promissory note.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

SUBCHAPTER C. RECOGNITION DAYS

Sec. 662.041. SAM RAYBURN DAY. (a) January 6 is Sam Rayburn

Day in memory of that great Texas and American statesman, Sam

Rayburn.

(b) Sam Rayburn Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

programs in the public schools and other places to commemorate

the birthday of Sam Rayburn.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.042. FORMER PRISONERS OF WAR RECOGNITION DAY. (a)

April 9 is Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day in honor of

the courage of those Americans who suffered sacrifices and

tribulations as prisoners of war in the course of their military

service on behalf of this nation.

(b) Former Prisoners of War Recognition Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.043. INTERNATIONAL TRADE AWARENESS WEEK. (a) May 22

through May 26 is International Trade Awareness Week to encourage

Texas businesses to engage effectively in the promotion and

development of international trade.

(b) International Trade Awareness Week shall be observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.044. COLUMBUS DAY. (a) The second Monday of October

is Columbus Day in honor of Christopher Columbus.

(b) Columbus Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies.

(c) Public offices of this state shall remain open on Columbus

Day.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.045. FATHER OF TEXAS DAY. (a) November 3 is Father of

Texas Day in memory of Stephen F. Austin, the great pioneer

patriot and the real and true Father of Texas.

(b) Father of Texas Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate and patriotic programs in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the birthday of Stephen F.

Austin and to inspire a greater love for this beloved state.

Added by Acts 1993, 73rd Leg., ch. 268, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1,

1993.

Sec. 662.046. TEXAS PARENTS DAY. The second Sunday in August of

each year is Texas Parents Day to celebrate the Texas family and

to emphasize the importance of parents taking an active role in

the raising and future of their children.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 758, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.047. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY (STAR

DAY). (a) February 19 is State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance

Day (STAR Day) in honor of Texas joining the Union and the day

that James Pinckney Henderson became the first governor of the

State of Texas in 1846.

(b) State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR Day) shall

be regularly observed by appropriate and patriotic programs in

the public schools and other places to properly commemorate the

annexation of this state and to inspire a greater appreciation

for the history of this state.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 502, Sec. 1, eff. June 18,

1999, and Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 1453, Sec. 7, eff. Aug. 30,

1999. Renumbered from Government Code Sec. 662.046, 662.050 by

Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 21.001(58), eff. Sept. 1,

2001.

Sec. 662.048. TEXAS FLAG DAY. Texas Flag Day shall be

celebrated each March 2, Texas Independence Day.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 1420, Sec. 7.103, eff. Sept.

1, 2001.

Sec. 662.049. PUBLIC SCHOOL PARAPROFESSIONAL DAY. (a) The

second Wednesday in May of each year is Public School

Paraprofessional Day in recognition of education

paraprofessionals including teacher assistants, instructional

aides, educational trainers, library attendants, bilingual

assistants, special education associates, mentors, and tutors.

(b) Public School Paraprofessional Day shall be regularly

observed by appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public

schools and other places to properly recognize the

paraprofessionals who have made tremendous contributions to the

educational process.

Added by Acts 2001, 77th Leg., ch. 287, Sec. 1, eff. May 23,

2001.

Sec. 662.050. TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS DAY. (a) September 11 is

Texas First Responders Day in honor of the bravery, courage, and

determination of Texas men and women who assist others in

emergencies.

(b) Texas First Responders Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies in the public schools and other places to

honor Texas first responders. Each governmental entity may

determine the appropriate ceremonies by which Texas observes

Texas First Responders Day.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 614, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003; Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 1312, Sec. 6, eff. June 21, 2003.

Sec. 662.051. WOMEN'S INDEPENDENCE DAY. (a) August 26 is

Women's Independence Day to commemorate the ratification in 1920

of the Nineteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,

which guaranteed women the right to vote.

(b) Women's Independence Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate programs in the public schools and other places to

inspire a greater appreciation of the importance of women's

suffrage.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

19, Sec. 1, eff. May 9, 2005.

Sec. 662.052. TEXIAN NAVY DAY. (a) The third Saturday in

September of each year is Texian Navy Day in remembrance of the

Texian Navy.

(b) Texian Navy Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate

ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 2005, 79th Leg., Ch.

697, Sec. 1, eff. June 17, 2005.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.051 by Acts 2007,

80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

921, Sec. 17.001(40), eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.053. VOLUNTEERS FOR DEMOCRACY DAY. (a) The second

Tuesday in January of each year is Volunteers for Democracy Day

in honor of the precinct chairs and other election volunteers who

make valuable contributions to the nation's democratic system.

(b) Volunteers for Democracy Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

64, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.054. TEXAS ADOPTION DAY. (a) The Saturday before

Thanksgiving Day of each year is Texas Adoption Day to celebrate

and encourage adoption, adoptive families, and adoption workers

in Texas.

(b) Texas Adoption Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities that encourage

participation in and raise awareness about the adoption process

and that honor adoptive families and adoption workers in Texas.

(c) The Department of Family and Protective Services shall

create a statewide awareness campaign to promote Texas Adoption

Day and shall coordinate ceremonies and activities held

throughout the state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

386, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.053 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(43), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.055. DR. HECTOR P. GARCIA DAY. (a) The third

Wednesday of September is Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day in memory of

the significant contributions to the Mexican American civil

rights movement of Dr. Hector P. Garcia, a distinguished

physician and a recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom

and the founder of the American GI Forum, which promotes civil

rights protection of Hispanic veterans and all Americans. Dr.

Garcia, a World War II hero, was awarded a Bronze Star Medal with

six battle stars in recognition of his meritorious service to the

United States.

(b) Dr. Hector P. Garcia Day may be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies and activities in the public schools and

other places to properly commemorate the importance of the

contributions made by Dr. Garcia.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

274, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.058. VIETNAM VETERANS DAY. (a) March 29 is Vietnam

Veterans Day in honor of the men and women who served in the

Vietnam War on behalf of this nation.

(b) Vietnam Veterans Day shall be regularly observed by

appropriate ceremonies.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

558, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER D. RECOGNITION MONTHS

Sec. 662.101. BUFFALO SOLDIERS HERITAGE MONTH. (a) July is

Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month in honor of the bravery and

dedication of Texas' Buffalo Soldiers and in recognition of their

contribution to the legendary history of the Lone Star State.

(b) Buffalo Soldiers Heritage Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Added by Acts 1999, 76th Leg., ch. 478, Sec. 2, eff. June 18,

1999.

Sec. 662.102. TEXAS HISTORY MONTH. (a) March is Texas History

Month in honor of those Texans who helped shape the history of

the State of Texas and in recognition of events throughout Texas'

history.

(b) Texas History Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate celebrations and activities in public schools and

other places to promote interest in and knowledge of Texas

history.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 423, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.103. TEXAS FRUIT AND VEGETABLE MONTH. (a) April is

Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month to promote awareness of the

health benefits of fruits and vegetables and to encourage Texans

to consume more fruits and vegetables.

(b) Texas Fruit and Vegetable Month shall be regularly observed

by appropriate celebrations and activities.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

377, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.104. LUNG CANCER AWARENESS MONTH. (a) November is

Lung Cancer Awareness Month to increase awareness of lung cancer

and encourage funding of research and more effective treatments.

(b) Lung Cancer Awareness Month may be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase the awareness of lung cancer and support for lung cancer

research.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

224, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2007.

Sec. 662.105. CHILD SAFETY MONTH. (a) April is Child Safety

Month in recognition of the children of this state as this

state's most precious resource. By establishing April as Child

Safety Month, this state seeks to ensure that the children of

this state grow up in a safe and supportive environment by

promoting their protection and care through increased public

awareness of:

(1) ways to reduce accidental injury and death through the use

of bicycle helmets, seat belts, safety and booster seats, and

smoke alarms; and

(2) the dangers presented to children by unattended and unlocked

vehicles and by being left in closed vehicles during hot or sunny

weather.

(b) Child Safety Month may be regularly observed by appropriate

celebrations and activities in public schools and other places to

promote the protection and care of children in this state.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

651, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Renumbered from Government Code, Section 662.103 by Acts 2009,

81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

87, Sec. 27.001(44), eff. September 1, 2009.

Sec. 662.106. HYDROCEPHALUS AWARENESS MONTH. (a) October is

Hydrocephalus Awareness Month to:

(1) increase public awareness of hydrocephalus, a serious

neurological condition characterized by the abnormal buildup of

cerebrospinal fluids in the ventricles of the brain; and

(2) encourage the development of partnerships between the

federal government, health care professionals, and patient

advocacy groups to advance the public's understanding of the

condition, improve the diagnosis and treatment of the condition,

and support research for a cure.

(b) Hydrocephalus Awareness Month shall be regularly observed by

appropriate activities in public schools and other places to

increase awareness of hydrocephalus.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

966, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.

SUBCHAPTER E. RECOGNITION WEEKS

Sec. 662.151. TRANSPORTATION WEEK. The week that includes the

third Friday in May is Transportation Week in recognition of

National Transportation Week and the contributions of the

transportation industry to the State of Texas.

Added by Acts 2003, 78th Leg., ch. 462, Sec. 1, eff. June 20,

2003.

Sec. 662.152. OBESITY AWARENESS WEEK. The second full week in

September is obesity awareness week to raise awareness of the

health risks associated with obesity and to encourage Texans to

achieve and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Added by Acts 2007, 80th Leg., R.S., Ch.

1063, Sec. 1, eff. June 15, 2007.

Sec. 662.153. MONARCH BUTTERFLY WEEK. (a) The first seven days

of October are Monarch Butterfly Week to encourage Texas

residents and visitors to study, observe, and promote the life of

the state insect, the monarch butterfly.

(b) Through participation in the Texas Monarch Watch program

sponsored by the Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas residents

and visitors may help scientists answer research questions about

monarch biology and migration.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

501, Sec. 1, eff. June 19, 2009.

Sec. 662.154. TEXAS NATIVE PLANT WEEK. (a) The third full week

in October is Texas Native Plant Week to celebrate the native

plants of Texas.

(b) Texas Native Plant Week may be regularly observed in public

schools and other places with programs to appreciate, explore,

and study Texas native plants.

Added by Acts 2009, 81st Leg., R.S., Ch.

1403, Sec. 1, eff. September 1, 2009.