SCT H.B. 2848 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS STATE FEDERAL & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS H.B. 2848 By: Berlanga 4-16-97 Committee Report (Substituted) BACKGROUND The Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History has served as the only marine archeology repository for marine collections in the state for a number of years. The Texas Historical Commission, which assumed the responsibilities of the Texas Antiquities Committee, is the lead state agency and establishes all the rules, terms and conditions under which state collections are curated and/or displayed. Key collections such as the Platoro, Keenan, Purvis Collection and the 1554 shipwreck collection have all been located at the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History under the auspices of the Texas Historical Commission. Other agencies, such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers have also placed marine artifacts at the Museum. This bill specifically recognizes the status of the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History as the Texas Marine Archeology Repository while maintaining the flexibility of the Texas Historical Commission to place artifacts at any facility which they so choose. PURPOSE C.S.H.B. 2848 designates the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History as the Marine Archeology Repository and permits the loan of state collections for public display.. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency or institution. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Section 191.058, Natural Resources Code, by revising the heading from "Display of Artifacts" to "Curation of Artifacts." SECTION 2. Amends Section 191.058, Natural Resources Code, by adding Subsection (d) as follows: Subsection (d) allows the Texas Historical Commission (committee) to contract with a qualified institution for the institution to serve as a repository for items that are in committee custody. Establishes that the Corpus Christi Museum of Science and History is the repository for marine artifacts. Allows the committee to contract with other qualified institutions to serve as additional repositories as specified. Allows the committee to authorize an archeological repository to loan items, as specified, for public display. SECTION 3 Emergency Clause. Establishes that this Act is effective upon passage. COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE CSHB 2848 contains non-substantive changes in drafting as recommended by Legislative Council.