Enrolled Bill Summary

House Bill 3726	House Author:  Guillen
Effective:  9-1-11	Senate Sponsor:  Van de Putte

House Bill 3726 amends the Natural Resources Code to establish that the Alamo complex is under the jurisdiction of the General Land Office (GLO) and that the GLO is responsible for the preservation, maintenance, and restoration of the Alamo complex and its contents and the protection of its historical and architectural integrity. The bill repeals provisions designating the Daughters of the Republic of Texas as the caretakers of certain Alamo property and relating to the purchase, care, and preservation of the Alamo.

House Bill 3726 authorizes the GLO to participate in establishing and partnering with a qualifying nonprofit organization that will raise funds or provide benefits for the preservation and maintenance of the Alamo complex and to contract with the organization for the performance of any activity. The GLO is required to enter into an agreement with the Daughters of the Republic of Texas for the management, operation, and financial support of the Alamo complex under specified terms and conditions, and all property received by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas in its capacity as custodian or trustee of the Alamo for the benefit of the Alamo is subject to the requirements of the bill's provisions and the agreement. If the GLO and the Daughters of the Republic of Texas have not entered into such an agreement before January 1, 2012, the bill provides for the transfer of certain powers and duties, funds, equipment and property, and records relating to the Alamo complex from the Daughters of the Republic of Texas to the GLO on that date and the continued performance of functions and activities related to the Alamo by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas until that date.

House Bill 3726 requires the GLO to employ staff necessary to preserve and maintain the Alamo complex, to contract for professional services of qualified consultants, and to prepare an annual budget and work plan for the complex and authorizes the GLO to consult with the State Preservation Board in the performance of such duties. The bill establishes the Alamo complex account and authorizes the GLO to accept certain donations to carry out any purpose related to the preservation and maintenance of the Alamo complex. All such proceeds, as well as appropriations to the GLO relating to the Alamo complex, are to be deposited to the credit of the account and used only to administer the bill's provisions. The bill authorizes the GLO to create an Alamo Preservation Advisory Board for specified purposes relating to the Alamo complex and provides for the board's composition, presiding officer, and qualifications for membership.