HBA-KDB H.B. 2877 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2877
By: Goolsby
House Administration
8/7/2001
Enrolled



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The State Preservation Board (board) was established in 1983 by the 68th
Legislature for the purpose of preserving, maintaining, and restoring the
State Capitol and the General Land Office Building.  In 1997, the 75th
Legislature approved the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and
authorized the board to manage the design, construction, and governance of
the museum.  House Bill 2877   modifies provisions regarding the
operations, powers, and duties of the board. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority is expressly delegated to the State Preservation Board in SECTION
6 (Section 411.063, Government Code) of this bill. 

ANALYSIS

House Bill 2877 amends the Government Code to require the curator of the
Capitol to develop a collections policy regarding items of historical
significance with the assistance of a review committee composed of five
members whose qualifications, tenure, and duties are defined by the
executive director. Provisions governing state agency advisory committees
do not apply to the review committee.  The bill removes provisions that
require the curator to approve all exhibits placed in the buildings and to
make a good faith effort, with the State Preservation Board (board) and the
architect of the Capitol, to assist Texas businesses to receive a
significant percentage of the total value of all contract awards for the
purchase of supplies, materials, services, and equipment that are made
throughout the duration of the restoration project. 

The bill provides that parking fees paid through parking meters maintained
by the board and parking fees paid in a visitor parking facility operated
by the board or the Texas State History Museum (museum) are exempt from the
application of  limited sales, excise, and use taxes. 

The bill increases from $15,000 to $50,000 the highest cost of a purchase
or lease of goods and services needed to repair or improve an area within
the Capitol, Capitol extension, Capitol grounds, or General Land Office
building that the executive director of the board (executive director) is
authorized to approve. 

The Information Resources Management Act does  not apply to the board.  The
bill authorizes, rather than requires, the board to preserve, maintain,
restore, and furnish Woodlawn and its contents and grounds. 

The bill requires the board, rather than the Department of Public Safety
(DPS), to adopt rules for the safe movement and the parking of vehicles in
the Capitol Complex.  The bill requires DPS to administer and enforce the
rules adopted by the board. 

The bill entitles the board to obtain criminal history record information
maintained by DPS that relates to certain persons in a position that
involves handling money or checks, working in the Capitol or another area
designated by the public safety director as security sensitive, or direct
contact with persons under 18 years of age.  
 
The bill authorizes the museum to establish a membership program.  The bill
allows the museum to be included among the types of charitable
contributions for which state employees can deduct  membership dues from
their paychecks each month. 

The bill repeals provisions that require the state auditor to annually
review the Capitol fund.  The bill abolishes the museum advisory committee. 

EFFECTIVE DATE

June 17, 2001.