BILL ANALYSIS
By: Hilderbran
Culture, Recreation, & Tourism
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
As proposed, CS H.B. 2938 creates the position of Texas state historian. This will be an honorary position, similar to the Texas poet laureate, Texas state artists, and Texas state musician. The position of the Texas state historian will recognize the importance of history for the people of Texas and accentuate the emphasis Texans place on disseminating their heritage through education.
Currently, the Texas Historical Commission deals with the preservation of architectural, archeological, and cultural landmarks. The Texas state historian would focus on the written history of the state and encourage the knowledge and the teaching of Texas history.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.
ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends the heading to Chapter 3104, Government Code, to read as follows:
CHAPTER 3104. POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, STATE HISTORIAN, AND STATE ARTISTS
SECTION 2. Redesignates Sections 3104.001 through 3104.007, Government Code, as Subchapter A, Chapter 3104, Government Code, and adds a heading to that subchapter to read as follows:
SUBCHAPTER A. POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, AND STATE ARTISTS
SECTION 3. Amends Chapter 3104, Government Code, by adding Subchapter B, as follows:
SUBCHAPTER B. TEXAS STATE HISTORIAN
Sec. 3104.051. STATE HISTORIAN. (a) Requires the state historian to be appointed by the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas State Historical Association. Requires the entities, if they cannot agree on a nominee, to each submit one candidate to the Philosophical Society of Texas, which is required to make the designation.
(b) Sets forth the duties of the state historian.
(c) Prohibits the state historian from receiving compensation or reimbursement for expenses from the state for serving as state historian.
(d) Requires the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of the house, or their appointees, to honor the person designated as state historian in a ceremony at the Capitol.
(e) Provides that an individual designated as state historian retains the designation for four years from the date of the ceremony.
(f) Provides that the state historian may use the facilities and resources of the Texas Historical Commission in Austin.
SECTION 4. Effective date: September 1, 2005.
EFFECTIVE DATE
Effective date: September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
This substitute make minor typographical updates and clarifications. The substitute further specifies redesignation as Subchapter A. It adds languages stating that the designated state historian may use the facilities and resources of the Texas Historical Commission in Austin.