TITLE: Relating to a public school policy regarding the playing of the state song before certain school-sponsored athletic events.

SUMMARY: Relating to a public school policy regarding the playing of the state song before certain school-sponsored athletic events.

FULL TEXT:
AN ACT relating to a public school policy regarding the playing of the state song before certain school-sponsored athletic events. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter D, Chapter 33, Education Code, is amended by adding Section 33.098 to read as follows: Sec. 33.098. PLAYING OF STATE SONG BEFORE ATHLETIC EVENTS. (a) The board of trustees of a school district or the governing board of an open-enrollment charter school shall adopt a policy requiring the state song "Texas, Our Texas," as specified under Section 3101.005, Government Code, to be played before each school-sponsored athletic event held on a campus or at a facility of the district or school. (b) A policy adopted under Subsection (a) must require the state song to be played after the national anthem. SECTION 2. Not later than December 31, 2025, the commissioner of education shall notify each board of trustees of a school district and each governing body of an open-enrollment charter school in this state of the requirement that the board or governing body adopt a policy under Section 33.098, Education Code, as added by this Act, beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. SECTION 3. Section 33.098, Education Code, as added by this Act, applies beginning with the 2026-2027 school year. SECTION 4. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.