83R525 VOO-D

By: Lucio S.B. No. 111

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the preservation of Texas Historical Use Buildings.

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

SECTION 1. Section 442.001, Government Code, is amended by amending Subdivision (3) and adding Subdivision (4) to read as follows:

(3) "Historic structure" means a structure that:

(A) is included on the National Register of Historic Places;

(B) is designated as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark;

(C) is designated as a State Archeological Landmark;

(D) is determined by the Texas Historical Commission to qualify as eligible property under criteria for inclusion on the National Register of Historic Places or for designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark or as a State Archeological Landmark;

(E) is certified by the Texas Historical Commission to other state agencies as worthy of preservation; [or]

(F) is designated by an ordinance of a municipality with a population of more than 1.5 million as historic; or

(G) is a Texas Historical Use Building.

(4) "Texas Historical Use Building" means a building that:

(A) is at least 150 years old;

(B) is currently used regularly for a purpose that benefits the community in which the building is located; and

(C) has been used regularly for the purpose described by Paragraph (B) for at least 150 years.

SECTION 2. Section 442.015(b), Government Code, is amended to read as follows:

(b) The commission may use money in the Texas preservation trust fund account to provide financial assistance to public or private entities for the acquisition, survey, restoration, or preservation, or for planning and educational activities leading to the preservation, of historic property in the state that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or designated as a State Archeological Landmark or Recorded Texas Historic Landmark, [or] that the commission determines is eligible for such listing or designation, or that is a Texas Historical Use Building. The financial assistance may be in the amount and form and according to the terms that the commission by rule determines. The commission shall give priority to property the commission determines to be endangered by demolition, neglect, underuse, looting, vandalism, or other threat to the property. Gifts and grants deposited to the credit of the account specifically for any eligible projects may be used only for the type of projects specified. If such a specification is not made, the gift or grant shall be unencumbered and accrue to the benefit of the Texas preservation trust fund account. If such a specification is made, the entire amount of the gift or grant may be used during any period for the project or type of project specified.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013.