80R4871 SMH-F

By: Lucio III H.B. No. 1504

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the funding and promotion of the Save Texas History and Adopt-A-Beach programs of the General Land Office.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Section 31.0655, Natural Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 31.0655. FUNDING AND PROMOTION OF [STATE EMPLOYEE CONTRIBUTIONS TO] SAVE TEXAS HISTORY AND ADOPT-A-BEACH PROGRAMS. (a) For purposes of Subchapter I, Chapter 659, Government Code:

(1) the land office, for the sole purpose of managing the Save Texas History and Adopt-A-Beach programs, is considered an eligible charitable organization entitled to participate in the state employee charitable campaign; and

(2) a state employee is entitled to authorize a deduction for contributions to the land office for the purposes of managing the Save Texas History and Adopt-A-Beach programs as a charitable contribution under Section 659.132, Government Code, and the land office may use the contributions for the purpose of:

(A) preserving historic maps and documents under the Save Texas History program; or

(B) administering the Adopt-A-Beach program.

(b) The land office may promote and advertise the Save Texas History and Adopt-A-Beach programs by:

(1) using current market research to develop a marketing plan to increase participation in the programs;

(2) providing information, education, and training to promote the benefits of the programs; and

(3) using other methods the land office considers appropriate.

(c) The land office may use for administrative purposes related to the Save Texas History and Adopt-A-Beach programs money appropriated for those programs, state employee charitable campaign contributions received for those programs, or other donations received that are available for those purposes.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2007.