By: Hughes, et al. S.B. No. 1350

(Leach)

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence.

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

SECTION 1. Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended by adding Chapter 452 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 452. TEXAS BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION

Sec. 452.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "commission" means the Texas Bicentennial Commission.

Sec. 452.002. COMMISSION. (a) The Texas Bicentennial Commission is composed of the following 23 members appointed as follows:

(1) nine members of the public appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate;

(2) three senators appointed by the lieutenant governor;

(3) three members of the house of representatives appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives; and

(4) the following ex officio members:

(A) the executive head of the Texas Economic Development and Tourism Office within the office of the governor;

(B) the executive director of the Texas Historical Commission;

(C) the executive director of the Texas Commission on the Arts;

(D) the director of the Texas Film Commission;

(E) the commissioner of education;

(F) the commissioner of higher education;

(G) the director of the travel information division of the Texas Department of Transportation; and

(H) the director of the Institute of Texan Cultures at The University of Texas at San Antonio.

(b) The public members appointed by the governor must reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of this state.

(c) Each member of the commission is a voting member. The duties performed by an ex officio member of the commission constitute additional duties of the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission.

(d) A member of the commission who is a senator or representative vacates the member's position if the member ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission.

(e) A public member shall serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.

(f) A vacancy in the membership of the commission shall be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment.

Sec. 452.003. TERMS. Appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year.

Sec. 452.004. PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) The governor shall appoint one member of the commission to serve as presiding officer. The presiding officer serves at the will of the governor.

(b) If the presiding officer is absent from a meeting or is disabled, the members of the commission present at the meeting shall elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote.

Sec. 452.005. MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) The commission shall meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the presiding officer or as provided by commission rule.

(b) Chapter 551 applies to the commission.

(c) Thirteen members of the commission constitute a quorum.

Sec. 452.006. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) A member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties, subject to any applicable limitation on reimbursement provided by the General Appropriations Act.

(b) A member appointed by the governor shall be reimbursed from the commission's funds. A member appointed by the lieutenant governor or speaker of the house of representatives shall be reimbursed from the appropriate fund of the member's chamber of the legislature. An ex officio member shall be reimbursed from the funds of the entity from which the member serves.

Sec. 452.007. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; STAFF. (a) The commission may employ an executive director to serve as the executive head of the commission and perform its administrative functions.

(b) The executive director may employ staff necessary to administer the commission.

Sec. 452.008. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION. The commission shall:

(1) encourage individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies to organize activities celebrating the bicentennial of this state's independence;

(2) assist individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies that organize bicentennial activities to coordinate the activities;

(3) gather and disseminate information to the public about bicentennial activities conducted in the state;

(4) develop standards for bicentennial activities organized by individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies and sanction activities that comply with the standards;

(5) invite national and international dignitaries to attend and participate in bicentennial activities conducted in this state;

(6) encourage persons living outside the state to attend bicentennial activities occurring in the state;

(7) develop a logo to be used by the commission and permit other persons to use the logo if the commission considers the use appropriate; and

(8) sanction products the commission may sell, including a commemorative calendar or flag, commemorating the state's bicentennial.

Sec. 452.009. REPORT. Not later than September 1, 2037, the commission shall file a report with the governor and the legislature containing information about the effects of the bicentennial activities conducted in this state on the state's economy.

Sec. 452.010. DONATIONS; GRANTS. The commission may solicit and accept, on behalf of the state, gifts, grants, and donations from any source to be used by the commission to perform its duties.

Sec. 452.011. RULES. The commission may adopt rules necessary to perform its functions.

Sec. 452.012. EXPIRATION. The commission is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2037.

SECTION 2. (a) Not later than December 1, 2025, the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives shall appoint the initial members to the Texas Bicentennial Commission in accordance with Section 452.002, Government Code, as added by this Act.

(b) Notwithstanding Section 452.003, Government Code, as added by this Act, in making the initial appointments to the Texas Bicentennial Commission under Subsection (a) of this section:

(1) the governor shall designate three members for terms expiring January 31, 2027, three members for terms expiring January 31, 2029, and three members for terms expiring January 31, 2031;

(2) the lieutenant governor shall designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031; and

(3) the speaker of the house of representatives shall designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.