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A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
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AN ACT
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relating to operation and management of the first capitol state |
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historic site and replica by the Texas Historical Commission. |
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BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
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SECTION 1. Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by |
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adding Subchapter B-3 to read as follows: |
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SUBCHAPTER B-3. FIRST CAPITOL STATE HISTORIC SITE |
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Sec. 442.068. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
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(1) "Commission" means the Texas Historical |
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Commission. |
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(2) "First capitol site" means the first capitol state |
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historic site located in West Columbia, Texas. |
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(3) "Replica" means the replica of the first Republic |
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of Texas house of representatives building housed on the first |
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capitol site. |
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Sec. 442.0681. JURISDICTION AND MAINTENANCE OF FIRST |
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CAPITOL SITE AND REPLICA. (a) The first capitol site and replica |
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are under the jurisdiction of the commission. The commission is |
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responsible for the preservation, maintenance, and operation of the |
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site and replica. |
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(b) The commission shall: |
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(1) develop, expand, and manage the first capitol site |
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and replica by: |
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(A) expanding, renovating, and managing the site |
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and replica to enhance visitor experience and historical accuracy; |
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(B) overseeing maintenance and operations of the |
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site and replica to ensure long-term preservation and public |
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accessibility; and |
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(C) providing financial support for ongoing |
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operations and new projects, such as administration, personnel, and |
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site improvements; |
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(2) enhance the facilities and infrastructure for the |
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site by: |
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(A) relocating the replica to a historically |
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accurate location on the site; |
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(B) constructing a historically accurate |
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replication of the first Republic of Texas senate building on the |
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site; |
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(C) constructing and maintaining a visitor |
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center on the site to provide educational resources, exhibitions, |
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and interactive experiences for visitors; and |
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(D) implementing other improvements to the |
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site's facilities and infrastructure in accordance with the site's |
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purpose and mission; |
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(3) assume responsibility for the historic |
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preservation and interpretation of the first capitol site and |
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replica by: |
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(A) preserving and maintaining historical |
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documents, artifacts, relics, and other items of historical |
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significance related to the site and this state; |
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(B) developing exhibitions and interpretive |
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programs to reflect the site's mission and educate the public; and |
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(C) conducting ongoing research to enhance the |
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accuracy and depth of the site's programs; |
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(4) oversee the operations of and personnel for the |
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first capitol site and replica by: |
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(A) hiring and training personnel to manage the |
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site's daily operations, educational programs, and visitor |
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services; |
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(B) establishing efficient operational and |
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visitor engagement policies and procedures; and |
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(C) ensuring personnel development aligns with |
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current best practices for historic site management; |
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(5) acquire resources and seek donations for the first |
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capitol site and replica by: |
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(A) accepting and managing donations of money, |
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land, historical relics, or other donations supporting the site's |
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mission; |
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(B) seeking grant opportunities and |
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public-private partnerships to increase funding for site |
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preservation and improvement efforts; and |
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(C) acquiring property and artifacts aligned |
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with the historical significance of the site that contribute to the |
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site's mission and narrative; |
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(6) strategically develop the first capitol site and |
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replica by: |
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(A) identifying and acquiring real property |
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adjacent or relevant to the site to support the mission of and |
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expand the site; |
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(B) ensuring all acquisition of real property |
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aligns with the historical context of the site and contributes to an |
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authentic and immersive visitor experience; and |
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(C) engaging in strategic planning to enhance the |
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site's presence in the nearby community and promote heritage |
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tourism; |
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(7) facilitate community engagement and partnership |
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for the first capitol site and replica by: |
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(A) collaborating with local organizations, |
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schools, and other relevant stakeholders to foster community |
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involvement and support of the site; |
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(B) establishing partnerships with historical |
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societies, institutions of higher education, and cultural |
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organizations to strengthen the site's educational impact; and |
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(C) hosting events, lectures, and programs that |
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encourage public participation and awareness of this state's |
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history; and |
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(8) ensure responsible stewardship of resources and |
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the first capitol site and replica by: |
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(A) maintaining ethical and professional |
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standards for site operations; and |
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(B) conducting periodic assessments to measure |
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progress and identify areas to improve stewardship of the site. |
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Sec. 442.0682. GRANTS; DONATIONS. The commission may |
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accept a grant or donation for any program or purpose of the first |
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capitol site and replica. |
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SECTION 2. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025. |