BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center                                                                                                      S.B. 1787

                                                                                                                                         By: Duncan

Government Organization

5/24/2005

Enrolled

AUTHOR'S/SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

S.B. 1787 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

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

SECTION BY SECTION 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 governor on the recommendation of the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas State Historical Association.  Requires these entities, if they cannot agree on a nominee, to each submit one candidate to the governor, who is required to make the designation.

(b) Authorizes the governor, in making an appointment under Subsection (a), to reject one or more of the nominees submitted and request a new list of different nominees.

(c) Sets forth the duties of the state historian.

(d) Prohibits the state historian from receiving compensation or reimbursement for expenses from the state for serving as state historian.

(e) 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.

(f) Provides that an individual designated as state historian retains the designation for two years from the date of the ceremony.

(g) Requires the facilities and resources of the Texas State Historical Commission in Austin to be made available for the use of the state historian when needed.

SECTION 4.  Effective date: September 1, 2005.