BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 2307
By: Williams
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Prior to the 80th Legislature, the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion was provided by two state agencies and one organization: the Texas Historical Commission, the Texas Facilities Commission, and the Friends of the Governor's Mansion.
This bill clarifies that the State Preservation Board (SPB) has full responsibility for the management of construction projects and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion; moves responsibility for the preservation of the Governor's Mansion and the mansion collection from the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to the SPB; and requires THC to consult with the SPB on all proposed changes to the Governor's Mansion that relate to the building's status as a Texas Historic Landmark or its listing on the National Register of Historic Places. The legislation does not alter the state's relationship to or involvement with the Friends of the Governor's Mansion, which curates and maintains the mansion collection.
As proposed, S.B. 2307 changes current law relating to the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion.
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 Chapter 443, Government Code, by adding Section 443.029, as follows:
Sec. 443.029. GOVERNOR'S MANSION. (a) Provides that the State Preservation Board (SPB), except as otherwise specifically provided by this section, is solely responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion and the protection of the historical and architectural integrity of the mansion's exterior, interior, contents, and grounds. Prohibits a substantial addition, deletion, or other alteration, except as provided by Subsections (d) and (f), from being made to the mansion or its contents or grounds without the prior approval of SPB.
(b) Requires SPB to develop and maintain an inventory of the contents of the Governor's Mansion that includes all furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects and states the owner of each of those items; manage a plan for the acquisition, by purchase, donation, or loan, of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects for the mansion, especially early 19th-century American, museum-quality items and items having historical significance to the Governor's Mansion; manage a plan for the disposition of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects that SPB determines are not needed or inappropriate; and recommend and arrange for the conservation or restoration of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects in the mansion that are owned by the state.
(c) Authorizes SPB to accept gifts, grants, or other donations on behalf of the Governor's Mansion. Requires SPB to contract with a nonprofit organization formed to assist in the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion to develop and implement a plan for the solicitation and acceptance of gifts, grants, devises, and bequests of money, other property, and services to be used in the acquisition of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects for the Governor's Mansion or for necessary conservation or restoration services. Authorizes SPB to contract with a nonprofit organization described by this subsection for the performance of any duty provided by Subsection (b). Prohibits a contract under this subsection from exceeding a term of two years and is required to expire on December 31 of an odd-numbered year.
(d) Requires SPB to solicit the advice and approval of the governor and the governor's spouse concerning activities of SPB under this section and the advice of the governor and the governor's spouse concerning the provisions of any contract executed under Subsection (c). Provides that, except for a change in or to the Pease bedroom, the Sam Houston bedroom, the hallway, or the stairwell, a nonstructural decorative change in or to the private living and guest quarters of the governor and the governor's family on the second floor of the Governor's Mansion does not require the prior approval of SPB.
(e) Provides that the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and the office of the governor are authorized to exercise the powers and are required to perform the duties relating to the Governor's Mansion that are provided by applicable law, subject to the requirements of this section.
(f) Requires THC to be consulted on any and all proposed changes to the Governor's Mansion which may relate to the status of the building as a designated Recorded Texas Historic Landmark or as a site listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
SECTION 2. Repealer: Section 442.0071, (Preservation and Maintenance of Governor's Mansion), Government Code.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2009.