BILL ANALYSIS

S.B. 1511

By: Nichols

Culture, Recreation & Tourism

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

It has been noted that the Battleship "Texas" is the only remaining battleship to have fought in both World War I and World War II and that it is a priceless historical asset that many generations of Texans have grown up visiting. However, concerns have been raised that the battleship's current conditions, which include rust and water inundation, have become a challenge for the state and the Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) to adequately address. Thus, it has been suggested that the best course of action for the future preservation of the battleship is for a nonprofit foundation to take over the battleship's operation and maintenance. S.B. 1511 seeks to address these issues by requiring TPWD to enter into a certain memorandum of understanding with an appropriate nonprofit foundation for such operation and maintenance.

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

S.B. 1511 amends the Parks and Wildlife Code to require the Parks and Wildlife Department, not later than the later of September 1, 2019, or the 90th day after the bill's effective date, to enter into a memorandum of understanding for a term of 99 years with an appropriate nonprofit foundation for the operation and maintenance of the Battleship "Texas." The bill requires the memorandum of understanding to include provisions:

·         governing the preservation, management, and operation of the Battleship "Texas" consistent with the Standards for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects with Guidelines for Applying the Standards published by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of the Interior as those standards existed on January 1, 2019;

·         requiring the nonprofit foundation to consult with the state historic preservation officer on matters related to the preservation or repair of the battleship; and

·         regarding the protection of the public's interest in maintaining and preserving a priceless historical asset in a manner that ensures the public has access to the asset and an opportunity to provide comment regarding the preservation of the asset.

The bill sets out its purpose.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2019.