By: Lowe H.B. No. 5305       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   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.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Amend Education Code Section 25.082 to read as   follows:          Sec. 25.082.  PLEDGES OF ALLEGIANCE; MINUTE OF SILENCE.  (a)     Repealed by Acts 2017, 85th Leg., R.S., Ch. 851 (H.B. 2442), Sec. 9,   eff. June 15, 2017.          (b)  The board of trustees of each school district and the   governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall   require able-bodied students, once during each school day at each   campus, to rise and recite, or silently and respectfully observe   the recitation of:                (1)  the pledge of allegiance to the United States flag   in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Section 4; and                (2)  the pledge of allegiance to the state flag in   accordance with Subchapter C, Chapter 3100, Government Code.          (b-1)  The board of trustees of each school district and the   governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall   require that the United States and Texas flags be prominently   displayed in accordance with 4 U.S.C. Sections 5-10 and Chapter   3100, Government Code, in each campus classroom to which a student   is assigned at the time the pledges of allegiance to those flags are   recited.  A district or school is not required to spend federal,   state, or local district or school funds to acquire flags required   under this subsection.  A district or school may raise money or   accept gifts, grants, and donations to acquire flags required under   this subsection.          (c)  On written request from a student's parent or guardian,   a school district or open-enrollment charter school shall excuse   the student from reciting a pledge of allegiance under Subsection   (b).  Provision shall be made for excused and non-participating   students to quietly and respectfully wait outside the room while   such activities are being conducted.          (d)  The board of trustees of each school district and the   governing board of each open-enrollment charter school shall   provide for the observance of one minute of silence at each campus   following the recitation of the pledges of allegiance to the United   States and Texas flags under Subsection (b).  During the one-minute   period, each student may, as the student chooses, reflect, pray,   meditate, or engage in any other silent activity that is not likely   to interfere with or distract another student.  Each teacher or   other school employee in charge of students during that period   shall ensure that each of those students remains silent and does not   act in a manner that is likely to interfere with or distract another   student.          SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect January 1, 2026.