BILL ANALYSIS S.B. 627 By: Truan (Hunter, Bob) 03-29-95 Committee Report (Unamended) BACKGROUND The Alamo flag was captured on March 6, 1836. Texas became aware of the existence of the flag in the late 1960s and has tried unsuccessfully to procure the flag ever since. In 1991, the Texas Legislature asked President Bush to make the flag's return part of the NAFTA negotiations. PURPOSE As proposed, S.B. 627 authorizes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to negotiate an agreement with the appropriate authorities in Mexico for the exchange of certain Alamo and San Jacinto battle flags. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 441A, Government Code, by adding Section 441.0115, as follows: Sec. 441.0115. AGREEMENT WITH MEXICO. Authorizes the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to negotiate an agreement with the appropriate authorities in Mexico under which Texas will trade or lend Mexico the flags of the Toluca Battalion, Guerrero Battalion, and Matamoros Battalion captured at the Battle of San Jacinto, and Mexico will trade or lend to Texas the flag of the New Orleans Greys captured at the Battle of the Alamo. Sets forth the provisions authorized by the agreement. SECTION 2. (a) Prohibits the Texas State Library and Archives Commission from using appropriated money but may use gifts or grants to restore the San Jacinto battle flags to a suitable condition under an agreement to trade or lend the flags that is made in accordance with Section 441.0115, Government Code, as added by this Act. (b) Provides that if an agreement to trade or lend the Alamo and San Jacinto battle flags that is made in accordance with Section 441.0115, Government Code, as added by this Act, does not provide that Mexico will restore the Alamo battle flag to a suitable condition before the trade or loan of the flag, the Texas State Library and Archives Commission may not use appropriated money but may use gifts or grants to restore the Alamo battle flag to a suitable condition after the trade or loan of the flags. SECTION 3. Emergency clause. Effective date: upon passage. SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE ACTION SB 627 was considered by the House Committee on State, Federal, and International Relations in a public hearing on 15 March 1995. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Mr. Mike Workman Sesquicentennial of Statehood Committee The following person testified neutrally on the bill: Mr. William D. Gooch, Director State Library and Archives Commission The bill was left pending. SB 627 was again taken up and considered by the committee in a public hearing on 29 March 1995. The following person testified in favor of the bill: Mr. Mike Workman Sesquicentennial of Statehood Committee The bill was reported favorably without amendment with the recommendation that it do pass and be printed, by a record vote of 6 ayes, 0 nays, 0 pnv, and 3 absent.