By: Guillen, Bernal, Larson H.B. No. 2968

(Senate Sponsor - Menéndez)

(In the Senate - Received from the House May 6, 2015; May 6, 2015, read first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources and Economic Development; May 22, 2015, reported adversely, with favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 11, Nays 0; May 22, 2015, sent to printer.) Click here to see the committee vote

COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR H.B. No. 2968 By: Estes

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the preservation of the Alamo complex.

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

SECTION 1. Subchapter I, Chapter 31, Natural Resources Code, is amended by adding Section 31.450 to read as follows:

Sec. 31.450. FINDINGS. (a) The legislature finds that:

(1) the Alamo has played an important role in the history of this state and continues to be a symbol of liberty and freedom for this state;

(2) this state wants to honor the individuals whose lives were lost at the Alamo;

(3) the entire history of the Alamo, from the time the Alamo was established as a mission until the present, should be recognized; and

(4) the Alamo is a world-class destination that provides a place of remembrance and education.

(b) The land office is encouraged to consult and coordinate with the City of San Antonio on the planning and development of improvements to the Alamo.

SECTION 2. Section 31.455(a), Natural Resources Code, is amended to read as follows:

(a) The land office may establish an Alamo Preservation Advisory Board to provide advice, proposals, and recommendations to:

(1) promote the development of a world-class site to educate visitors on the history and importance of the Alamo in this state's fight for independence and to honor the people who lost their lives at the Alamo;

(2) promote and support the Alamo complex;

(3) [(2)] provide the resources and support necessary to advance the understanding and education of current and future generations on the historical significance and factual record of the Alamo complex;

(4) [(3)] inspire virtues of honor and Texas pride;

(5) [(4)] preserve the memory and achievement of individuals who served at the Alamo and provide a fitting tribute to the heroism of the people who paid the ultimate sacrifice for freedom and of the noble men and women of this state who have served in the armed forces or died while serving in the armed forces to ensure the freedom of the people of this state;

(6) provide educational and museum facilities [(5) promote and provide] for the preservation, perpetuation, appropriate publication, and display of manuscripts, books, relics, pictures, oral histories, and all other items and information related to the history of the Alamo complex and of this state that preserve the historical character of the Alamo shrine; and

(7) [(6)] promote, counsel, and provide support to governmental and private organizations that are committed to objectives similar to the objectives described in this subsection.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2015.

* * * * *