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78R7944 MI-D

By:  Branch                                                       H.B. No. 2882



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the preservation of historic courthouses.                         
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Sections 442.0081(b) and (d), Government Code, 
are amended to read as follows:
	(b)  A county that owns a historic courthouse may apply to 
the commission for a grant or loan for a historic courthouse 
project.  The application must:
		(1)  state the location of the courthouse;                                    
		(2)  state whether the courthouse is or is likely to 
become a historic structure;
		(3)  state the amount of money or in-kind contributions 
that the county promises to contribute to the project;
		(4)  state whether the courthouse is currently 
functioning as a courthouse or served as a functioning courthouse 
for 75 years or more;
		(5)  include any plans, including a master preservation 
plan, that the county may have for the project;  and
		(6)  include any other information that the commission 
by rule may require. 
	(d)  In considering whether to grant an application, the 
commission shall give preference to:
		(1)  a proposed project to preserve or restore a 
courthouse:                
			(A)  that is or is likely to become a historic 
structure;  and             
			(B)  that:                                                                   
				(i)  is still functioning as a courthouse or 
served as a functioning courthouse for 75 years or more;
				(ii)  was built before 1875;  or                                            
				(iii)  is subject to a conservation easement 
held by the commission;  and 
		(2)  a county that will provide or has provided at least 
15 percent of the project's costs, including:
			(A)  in-kind contributions;  and                                             
			(B)  previous expenditures for master planning 
and renovations on the courthouse that are the subject of the 
application.
	SECTION 2.  (a)  This Act takes effect September 1, 2003.                      
	(b)  The change in law made by this Act applies only to an 
application for a grant or loan from the historic courthouse 
preservation program that is filed with the Texas Historical 
Commission on or after September 1, 2003.