BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 2417

By: Frullo

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties note that the current qualifications for membership on the Texas Historical Commission are not sufficient to increase the diversity of experience and expertise among commission members. H.B. 2417 seeks to address this issue by revising the composition and membership requirements of the commission.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 2417 amends the Government Code to increase from 9 to 15 the number of members of the Texas Historical Commission. The bill requires one member to be a professional archeologist, one member to be a professional historian, and one member to be a professional architect who is licensed in Texas and has expertise in historic preservation and architectural history. The bill requires the remaining members to represent the general public. The bill provides for the transition to the new composition of the commission.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2017.