HBA-KDB H.B. 2877 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2877 By: Goolsby House Administration 4/10/2001 Committee Report (Amended) 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 and their contents and grounds. 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 sets forth modified provisions for the operations, powers, and duties of the board. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 2877 amends the Government Code to authorize, rather than require, the executive director of the State Preservation Board (board) to employ a curator of the Capitol. The bill requires the curator 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 board and the architect, 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 removes provisions that authorize the executive director of the board, as appropriate, to approve in writing the 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, if the cost of the purchase or lease will not exceed $15,000 and that require the executive director to notify the board in writing of any expenditure in excess of $15,000. 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 entitles the board to obtain criminal history record information maintained by the Department of Public Safety 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 repeals provisions that require the state auditor to annually review the Capitol fund and the museum fund. The bill abolishes the museum advisory committee. EFFECTIVE DATE On passage, or if the Act does not receive the necessary vote, the Act takes effect on the 91st day after adjournment. EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS Committee Amendment No. 1 allows the Texas State History Museum to be included in the list of charitable contributions for which state employees can deduct their membership dues from their paychecks each month. Committee Amendment No. 2 removes the provision that repeals the requirement that the state auditor annually review the Texas State History Museum fund.