SRC-JXG H.B. 1223 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1223
76R5386 BDH-DBy: Seaman (Armbrister)
State Affairs
5/12/1999
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Recently, important artifacts have been discovered, which are significant
to Texas history.  The Texas Historical Commission (THC) has been working
with local communities to assist them in displaying artifacts in cities and
counties in or near where such discoveries have been made. However, many
communities do not have the resources to provide adequate facilities for
the display of these artifacts.  H.B. 1223 would require THC to administer
a program to assist municipalities, counties, museums, and county
historical commissions with developing and improving museum facilities that
display historical artifacts significant to Texas or American history, that
were discovered in Texas, and would create the Texas Historical Artifacts
Program Fund. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1223 sets forth provisions regarding a historical
artifact program under the Texas Historical Commission. 

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 442, Government Code, by adding Section 442.0145,
as follows: 

Sec. 442.0145.  TEXAS HISTORICAL ARTIFACTS PROGRAM; FUND.  (a) Requires the
Texas Historical Commission (THC) to administer a program to assist
municipalities, counties, museums, and county historical commissions with
the development or improvement of museum facilities used to display
historical artifacts discovered in Texas that are significant in Texas or
American history.    

(b) Creates the Texas Historical Artifacts Program Fund (fund) as a
separate account in the general revenue fund.  Provides that the fund is
composed of money appropriated to the fund, money deposited to the fund
under Subsection (c), and interest received from investments of money in
the fund that the comptroller shall allocate to the fund.  Provides that
Sections 403.095 and 404.071 do not apply to the fund or to interest
received from investments of money in the fund.  Authorizes money in the
fund to be spent only as provided by THC under this section. 

(c) Authorizes THC to accept grants or other donations from any source, for
deposit in the fund. 
   
(d) Requires THC to establish rules governing the use, administration, and
distribution of the fund.  Requires the rules to ensure that money in the
fund is used only for the purposes prescribed by Subsection (a), including
the expenses of administering the program. 

SECTION 2. Emergency clause.
           Effective date: upon passage.