SRC-BWC H.B. 1059 77(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1059
77R7497 BDH-DBy: Pitts (Cain)
Administration
5/1/2001
Engrossed


DIGEST AND PURPOSE 

Currently, Texas has more state symbols designated by the legislature than
any other state, which may lead to confusion as to what constitutes a state
symbol or place designation. In addition, a completed list of symbols and
place designations has not been certified by a centrally accepted process.
H.B. 1059 provides that the legislature must specify an item's historical
or cultural significance to the state before designating the item as a
state symbol.  

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a
state officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Title 3, Government Code, by adding Subtitle Z, as
follows: 

SUBTITLE Z.  MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS
CHAPTER 391.  RESOLUTIONS FOR STATE SYMBOLS
AND PLACE DESIGNATIONS

Sec. 391.001.  EFFECT OF CHAPTER.  Provides that this chapter governs the
designation of state symbols and place designations made by the legislature
by resolution approved by each house of the legislature.  Provides that
this chapter does not affect the designation of a state symbol or a place
designation made by resolution before September 1, 2001, or statute. 

Sec. 391.002.  STATE SYMBOLS.  Requires the legislature to specify an
item's historical or cultural significance to the state before designating
the item as a state symbol.  Prohibits the legislature from designating
certain objects as a state symbol.  Requires a resolution proposing
designation of an object as a state symbol, in order to be effective, to be
referred to and reported by the appropriate committee in each house in the
manner provided for bills.   

Sec. 391.003.  PLACE DESIGNATIONS.  Defines "place designation."  Prohibits
the legislature from assigning the same place designation to more than one
event or location. 
Prohibits the legislature from assigning more than one place designation to
any municipality, county, or other location.  Provides that this section
does not prohibit the legislature from assigning more than one place
designation within a county.  Requires the legislature to be presented by
persons supporting the designation with certain information before the
legislature is authorized to assign a place designation to a municipality,
county, or other location.  Provides that a place designation expires on
the 10th anniversary of its designation.  Provides that this section does
not prevent the legislature from redesignating a place designation during
or after the 10-year period.  Requires a resolution proposing a place
designation, in order to be effective, to be referred to and reported by
the appropriate committee in each house in the manner provided for bills. 

 SECTION 2.  Amends Section 441.006(a), Government Code, to require the
Texas State Library and Archives Commission to prepare and make available
to the public a complete list of every state symbol and place designation,
including state symbols and place designations made in accordance with
Chapter 391. 

SECTION 3.  Effective date: September 1, 2001.  Provides that Chapter 391,
Government Code, as added by this Act, applies only to a state symbol or
place designation adopted by the legislature after the effective date of
this Act.