AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Texas State Historical Association (TSHA) is a nonprofit educational organization whose mission is to further the appreciation, understanding, and teaching of Texas's rich and unique history through research, writing, and publication of related historical material.  TSHA accomplishes this mission by promoting research and writing on Texas history by and for a variety of audiences, including students, academic scholars, and the general public.  TSHA services are provided for free or at minimal cost to users.  Public funds make up only a small percentage of TSHA's funding and the remainder of TSHA's resources are provided by individual and foundation support.

 

With the national economic recession affecting all state organizations, interested parties believe that it is necessary to find alternate sources of revenue.

 

H.B. 2549 adds Chapter 450 to the Government Code to authorize a charitable historical organization, as defined by the bill, to be considered as an eligible charitable organization entitled to participate in a state employee charitable campaign.  It is anticipated that any additional costs associated with implementation of the legislation could be absorbed within existing resources.

 

H.B. 2549 amends current law relating to the authority of a state employee to authorize a deduction from the employee's salary or wage payment for a charitable contribution to certain entities.

 

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 Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 450, as follows:

 

CHAPTER 450.  EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS TO ADVANCE THE TEACHING OF TEXAS HISTORY

 

Sec. 450.001.  APPLICABILITY OF CHAPTER.  Defines "charitable historical organization" to mean in this chapter an entity that:

 

(1)  is organized as a nonprofit organization;

 

(2)  has its main office at an institution of higher education, as that term is defined under Section 61.003 (Definitions), Education Code; and

 

(3)  maintains an established educational department that provides:

 

(A)  opportunities for students in this state to study and work to preserve the history, heritage, and symbols of this state; and

 

(B)  training and resources to assist educators in developing effective strategies to teach students about the heritage, history, and symbols of this state.

 

Sec. 450.002.  FUNDING.  Provides that, for the purposes of Subchapter I (Charitable Contributions), Chapter 659 (Compensation):

 

(1)  a charitable historical organization is considered an eligible charitable organization entitled to participate in a state employee charitable campaign; and

 

(2)  a state employee is entitled to authorize a deduction for contributions to a charitable historical organization as a charitable contribution under Section 659.132 (Deduction Authorized), and the organization may use the contributions for the purpose of administering and providing educational outreach programs established by the organization.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: September 1, 2011.