BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 2482

By: Menéndez

Public Education

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In the 86th Session, the Texas Legislature passed S.B. 1828, which set out requirements for Holocaust Remembrance Week in public schools. This was a step in ensuring that future generations understand world history and the impacts of intolerance. This has been met with overwhelmingly positive feedback in Senate District 26 and across Texas, from teachers and students alike. After four years of implementation, it is important to reflect on utilization and lessons learned. The Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC) offers resources to assist school districts that participate, and opportunities for feedback; however there is no statewide review on the benefits or needed improvements to this programming. S.B. 2482 provides for a survey regarding the implementation of Holocaust Remembrance Week, which THGAAC will submit to the legislature.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

S.B. 2482 amends the Education Code to require the Texas Holocaust, Genocide, and Antisemitism Advisory Commission (THGAAC), with the assistance of the Texas Education Agency, to conduct a survey of public school districts to review the implementation at each district of Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction under state law. The bill requires the survey to request information from at least half of the campuses in a surveyed school district regarding Holocaust Remembrance Week instruction, including the following:

·         the extent to which the campus participates in Holocaust Remembrance Week;

·         the familiarity of the educators and administrators at each campus with the materials and resources available from THGAAC and other local institutions dedicated to Holocaust education to support instruction during Holocaust Remembrance Week; and

·         any additional materials or resources the campus would find useful to support instruction during Holocaust Remembrance Week, including professional development for educators, lessons plans, or other classroom resources.

The bill requires THGAAC, not later than December 1, 2024, to submit to the legislature a written report that includes the survey's findings and any recommendations for legislative or other action. The bill's provisions expire September 1, 2025.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2023.