2005S0475-1  03/07/05

By:  Hilderbran                                                   H.B. No. 2938


A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the designation and duties of the state historian.                
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  The heading to Chapter 3104, Government Code, is 
amended to read as follows:

CHAPTER 3104.  POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, STATE HISTORIAN, AND 
STATE ARTISTS
	SECTION 2.  Sections 3104.001 through 3104.007, Government 
Code, are redesignated as Subchapter A, Chapter 3104, Government 
Code, and a heading is added to that subchapter to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER A.  POET LAUREATE, STATE MUSICIAN, AND STATE ARTISTS
	SECTION 3.  Chapter 3104, Government Code, is amended by 
adding Subchapter B to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER B.  TEXAS STATE HISTORIAN
	Sec. 3104.051.  STATE HISTORIAN.  (a)  The state historian 
shall be appointed by the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas 
State Historical Association.  If the entities cannot agree on a 
nominee, each shall submit one candidate to the Philosophical 
Society of Texas, which shall make the designation.
	(b)  The duties of the state historian shall include:                   
		(1)  enhancing the knowledge of Texans regarding Texas 
history and heritage;
		(2)  encouraging the teaching of Texas history in 
public schools;    
		(3)  consulting with the governor, the lieutenant 
governor, and the legislature on matters related to the promotion 
of Texas history; and
		(4)  lecturing on matters of Texas history within the 
state historian's area of expertise.
	(c)  The state historian may not receive compensation or 
reimbursement for expenses from the state for serving as state 
historian.
	(d)  The governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker 
of the house of representatives, or their appointees, shall honor 
the person designated as state historian in a ceremony at the 
Capitol.
	(e)  An individual designated as the state historian retains 
the designation for four years from the date of the ceremony.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2005.