By: Williams S.B. No. 2307

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion.

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

SECTION 1. Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 443.029 to read as follows:

Sec. 443.029. GOVERNOR'S MANSION. (a) Except as otherwise specifically provided by law, the board is 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, and grounds. This section does not limit the authority of the Texas Historical Commission under Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code.

(b) 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 the board or the Texas Historical Commission.

(c) The Texas Historical Commission and the office of the governor may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties relating to the Governor's Mansion that are provided by applicable law, subject to the requirements of this section.

SECTION 2. The heading to Section 442.0071, Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

Sec. 442.0071. DUTIES REGARDING [PRESERVATION AND MAINTENANCE OF] GOVERNOR'S MANSION.

SECTION 3. Section 442.0071, Government Code, is amended by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (e) and adding Subsection (f) to read as follows:

(a) The [Except as otherwise specifically provided by this section, the] commission shall approve construction plans and monitor the work on the Governor's Mansion to ensure compliance with Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code, to ensure [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. A [Except as provided by Subsection (d), a] substantial addition, deletion, or other alteration may not be made to the mansion or its contents or grounds without the prior approval of the commission.

(c) The commission may accept gifts, grants, or other donations on behalf of the Governor's Mansion. The commission shall 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 landscaping, conservation, or restoration services. The commission also may contract with a nonprofit organization described by this subsection for the performance of any duty provided by Subsection (b). A contract under this subsection may not exceed a term of two years [and must expire on December 31 of an odd-numbered year].

(e) The State Preservation Board [Purchasing and General Services Commission] and the office of the governor may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties relating to the Governor's Mansion that are provided by applicable law, subject to the requirements of this section.

(f) Section 443.007 does not apply to this section.

SECTION 4. Subsection (d), Section 442.0071, Government Code, is repealed.

SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2009.