HB 582

Tepper Pledge Bill Suggests Where To Put Your Right Hand

Died in committee

Verdict: Smells

SmellsInitial review

Rep. Carl H. TepperRHouse 84

Why it's charged

List of feelings

THE TEXT

“not in uniform should:”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

The only operative verbs in the amended section are 'should' and 'may'. The bill creates no duty, no penalty, no agency, no appropriation and no deadline; it only describes recommended posture during the pledge.

List of feelings

Initial review · graded Oct 21, 2026 · Headline, summary and grade are analysis of the bill text, not a finding about any person · How we grade

Caption

relating to proper etiquette during the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the state flag.

Caption from analyzed text · version I.

Summary

Over the heart, or out toward the flag, palm up. Nobody has to.

The bill rewrites the Government Code section on how to behave when the pledge to the Texas flag is recited, listing two accepted right-hand positions for people not in uniform: over the heart, or extended toward the flag at waist level with the elbow bent and the palm facing upward. It touches anyone present when the state pledge is said, including people in uniform and members of the armed forces or veterans who are not in uniform. Every instruction uses 'should' or 'may' with no penalty or enforcement, so nothing is required of anyone and the only change is the wording of the recommended posture.

Labels

Labels: NEVER GOT A HEARING. Filed Nov 12, 2024 and referred to the House State Affairs committee. No public hearing. The bill died.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB582 · 2024-11-12

SOLD BY

Rep. Carl H. TepperRHouse 84

ITEM

relating to proper etiquette during the recitation of the pledge of allegiance to the state flag.

WHAT IT DOES

Over the heart, or out toward the flag, palm up. Nobody has to.

CHARGES

[x] LIST OF FEELINGSanalysis confidence 85%

THE TEXT

“not in uniform should:”

Bill text, introduced version (I)

TOTAL

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

HISTORY

Nov 12, 2024Filed
Mar 3, 2025Read first time
Mar 3, 2025Referred to State Affairs

FILED UNDER

No verified beat found.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Carl H. Tepper

Donors

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$100K Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25K Beef PAC$8K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 27, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC$100,000.00

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101072176.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC$25,083.33

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $83.33
Total: $25,083.33

fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

Beef PAC$8,000.00

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash: $8,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

Texas Conservative Majority PAC

$100,000.00

Cash: $100,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $100,000.00

Also funds 42 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jan 23, 2026 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101072176.

Texans for Lawsuit Reform PAC

$25,083.33

Cash: $25,000.00
Paid by others: $83.33
Total: $25,083.33

fundraiser $83.33

Also funds 124 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 10, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Jun 25, 2025 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101009037, 101027338, 101072176.

Beef PAC

$8,000.00

Cash: $8,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $8,000.00

Also funds 80 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Sep 23, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Oct 30, 2024 to Oct 20, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101012320, 101057498, 101072176.

Votes

No floor vote loaded for this bill.

Fiscal

No fiscal note in the loaded record.

How this was graded

Adversarial review by claude-fable-5-1 at high effort: Smells.

Analysis of text version I by claude-fable-5-1, Oct 21, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Nov 12, 2024

03/03/2025 H Referred to State Affairs: Mar 3 2025 2:24PM

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced

Data snapshot Oct 26, 2026 at 4:19 AM CDT. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

House committee · State Affairs · Final status: Died in committee

Subjects

State Symbols

FLAGS

Text

The text as introduced · 241 words

89R465 CXP-D

By: Tepper
H.B. No. 582

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to proper etiquette during the recitation of the pledge of

allegiance to the state flag.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 3100.104, Government Code, is amended to

read as follows:

Sec. 3100.104. RECITING PLEDGE. If the pledge to the state

flag is recited, each person who is present and:

(1) not in uniform should:

(A) face the state flag and stand at attention

with the person's right hand :

(i) over the heart; or

(ii) extended toward the flag at waist

level with the elbow bent and the palm facing upward;

(B) if wearing a head covering that is easy to

remove, remove that head covering with the right hand and hold it at

the person's left shoulder, with the person's hand over the heart;

and

(C) recite the pledge;

(2) not in uniform and a member of the armed forces or

a veteran may make the military salute and recite the pledge; or

(3) in uniform should remain silent, face the flag,

and make the military salute.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives

a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as

provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this

Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this

Act takes effect September 1, 2025.