1-1                                   AN ACT

 1-2     relating to approval of monuments on the grounds of the state

 1-3     capitol.

 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

 1-5           SECTION 1.  Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by

 1-6     adding Section 443.015 to read as follows:

 1-7           Sec. 443.015.  CAPITOL GROUNDS MONUMENTS.  (a)  The board may

 1-8     not approve the installation of a permanent monument on the grounds

 1-9     under the jurisdiction of the board, and erection or construction

1-10     of an approved monument may not begin, unless the board or the

1-11     board's designee finds that the installation of the monument will

1-12     be complete not later than the fourth anniversary of the date on

1-13     which approval is granted.  Installation by that anniversary date

1-14     is a condition of the board's approval, and if installation is not

1-15     complete by that date the board's approval of the monument is

1-16     considered withdrawn and the monument may not be installed.

1-17           (b)  In this section, "monument" means a marker, memorial,

1-18     statue, or other commemoration of a person, organization, or event,

1-19     including one authorized or requested pursuant to legislative

1-20     resolution.

1-21           SECTION 2.  This Act applies to monuments approved by the

1-22     State Preservation Board before the effective date of this Act.

1-23     The installation of a monument approved by the board before the

1-24     effective date of this Act must be completed not later than the

 2-1     fourth anniversary of the effective date of this Act or the board's

 2-2     approval of the monument is considered withdrawn and the monument

 2-3     may not be installed.

 2-4           SECTION 3.  The importance of this legislation and the

 2-5     crowded condition of the calendars in both houses create an

 2-6     emergency and an imperative public necessity that the

 2-7     constitutional rule requiring bills to be read on three several

 2-8     days in each house be suspended, and this rule is hereby suspended,

 2-9     and that this Act take effect and be in force from and after its

2-10     passage, and it is so enacted.

         _______________________________     _______________________________

             President of the Senate              Speaker of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 3517 was passed by the House on April

         30, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 144, Nays 0, 1 present, not

         voting.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Chief Clerk of the House

               I certify that H.B. No. 3517 was passed by the Senate on May

         26, 1997, by the following vote:  Yeas 31, Nays 0.

                                             _______________________________

                                                 Secretary of the Senate

         APPROVED:  _____________________

                            Date

                    _____________________

                          Governor