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.