SRC-HRD H.B. 1811 75(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 1811 By: Hunter (Shapiro) State Affairs 5-12-97 Engrossed DIGEST Every state is required by the National Historical Publications and Records Commission (NHPRC) to establish a Historical Records Advisory Board in order to qualify for the funding it provides to assist in the preservation and management of significant historical records. These State Advisory Boards coordinate historical records programs in the states and review and screen grant applications to the NHPRC. The Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (board) was created by an Executive Order of the Governor some years ago. It serves as an advisory board to the State Library and Archives Commission. Funding for the board's operations is provided by the NHPRC. Last year the board carried out a strategic planning process; one outcome of that process was a recommendation that the board be established in statute. Another recommendation was to change the membership of the board to bring it more into line with the State Library and Archives Commission's other advisory boards, appointed by the commission's director and librarian. This bill would establish the current board in statute and make minor changes to its membership. PURPOSE As proposed, H.B. 1811 establishes the current Texas Historical Records Advisory Board in statute, making minor changes to its membership. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 441, Government Code, by adding Subchapter L, as follows: SUBCHAPTER L. TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD Sec. 441.201. DEFINITIONS. Defines "board," "commission," "director and librarian," "historical records coordinator," and "national commission." Sec. 441.202. TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD. Establishes the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (board) and sets forth the purpose and responsibilities of the board. Sec. 441.203. COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD. Sets forth the composition of the board. Sec. 441.204. TERMS. Sets forth the terms of the historical records coordinator and other members of the board. SECTION 441.205. COMPENSATION. Provides that a member is not entitled to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement from board funds for the travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of the board, as provided in the General Appropriations Act. SECTION 441.206. VACANCY. Requires a vacancy on the board to be filled in the same manner as the original appointment. SECTION 2. Requires the governor and the director and librarian, as soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the initial members of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board. Requires the governor, in making the initial appointments, to designate the historical records coordinator for a term expiring February 1, 2001, one member for a term expiring February 1, 1999, and one member for a term expiring February 1, 2000. Requires the director and librarian to designate two members for terms expiring February 1, 1999, two members for terms expiring February 1, 2000, and two members for terms expiring February 1, 2001. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997. SECTION 4. Emergency clause.