Relating to recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance to the flag of the United States of America in public schools and in open-enrollment charter schools; providing exemptions.
Summary
HB 5305 would amend the Texas Education Code to require school districts and open-enrollment charter schools to have able-bodied students rise and either recite or silently and respectfully observe the U.S. and Texas pledges of allegiance once each school day at each campus. The bill also requires the U.S. and Texas flags to be prominently displayed in classrooms where the pledges are recited, while clarifying that schools are not required to use public funds to buy the flags and may instead seek donations or other funding.
The bill preserves an opt-out process for students: a parent or guardian may submit a written request excusing a student from reciting the pledges, and schools must provide a place for excused students to wait quietly outside the room during the recitation. It also continues the requirement for a one-minute period of silence after the pledges, during which students may reflect, pray, meditate, or engage in any other silent activity, so long as they do not disturb others. The bill would take effect January 1, 2026.
Impact
HB 5305 would revise Section 25.082 of the Education Code and affect both traditional public school districts and open-enrollment charter schools. It would reinforce daily pledge recitation requirements, add a classroom flag-display mandate tied to the pledge ceremony, and preserve parental exemption rights and the post-pledge minute of silence. The bill does not create a new funding obligation for schools to purchase flags, and it explicitly allows fundraising and donations for that purpose.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee testimony or votes in the provided materials, the measure appears to be framed as a routine school-civics requirement rather than a highly contested proposal. The inclusion of parental exemptions and a silent-observation option suggests an effort to balance patriotic observance with individual choice and religious or personal accommodation. No recorded vote history or transcript evidence is available here to show organized support or opposition.
Contention
The main points of potential contention are likely to be the mandatory daily pledge requirement, the requirement that students either recite or silently observe, and the classroom flag-display mandate. Supporters would likely view the bill as promoting civic participation and consistency across campuses, while critics could object on free-speech, parental-rights, or compelled-speech grounds, especially for students who do not wish to participate. The bill attempts to reduce controversy by preserving written parental exemptions and allowing silent nonparticipation outside the room.
Relating to the display of the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag and the pledge of allegiance to the Texas flag in public school classrooms.
A requirement for public school students to have the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each morning and immunity for liability stemming from the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.
AN ACT to amend and reenact sections 15.1-09-33 and 15.1-19-03.1 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to a requirement for public school students to have the opportunity to recite the pledge of allegiance each morning and immunity for liability stemming from the recitation of the pledge of allegiance.