BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2091

By: Craddick

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

The State Cemetery Committee oversees the operations of the State Cemetery, the official place of interment for distinguished and notable Texans who have contributed significantly to the history and development of the state.  During the past several years, observers have noticed an increase in bicycle traffic in the cemetery, which some claim has led to disruptions of tours, ceremonies, and other events. Interested parties believe the committee could better address such problems, and maintain the cemetery's grounds as a place of reverence and respect for those buried there as well as visitors, if it were granted more authority over cemetery operations. H.B. 2091 provides the committee with more authority over the cemetery grounds and with security of and access to all roadways and walkways within the cemetery. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the State Cemetery Committee in SECTION 2 of this bill.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2091 amends the Government Code to establish that the budget and all operations and personnel of the State Cemetery are under the direct control of the State Cemetery Committee, except that the committee is authorized to delegate this authority to the person responsible for the management of the grounds of the cemetery. The bill expands the rules the committee is authorized to adopt as necessary to include rules for grounds operation and security of the cemetery, which include rules restricting access to all roadways and walkways within the cemetery grounds.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2011.