HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES — NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
NOTICE OF PUBLIC HEARING
COMMITTEE: Culture, Recreation & Tourism
TIME & DATE: 10:00 AM, Tuesday, May 12, 2026
PLACE: E2.028
CHAIR: Rep. Will Metcalf
The committee will meet to hear invited testimony only on the following interim charges:
Monitoring - Monitor the implementation and associated rulemaking of all legislation passed by the Committee and enacted by the 89th Legislature to ensure that legislative purposes are properly implemented, including the following:
· HB 1397, relating to the care, custody, and display of the letter known as the victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence; and
· SB 3059, relating to the preservation, maintenance, restoration, and protection of the Alamo complex and surrounding area by the Alamo Commission.
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Funding - Evaluate the long term sustainability of Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Fund 9. Examine alternative or supplemental funding mechanisms to ensure stable funding for wildlife conservation, state parks, and agency operations.
New World Screwworm Action Plan - Evaluate the preparedness of the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department to respond to the threat of New World screwworm to Texas' wildlife populations. Examine staffing levels, funding, interagency coordination, and response protocols to ensure the state is adequately prepared for response and mitigation outbreaks.
Livestock Shows, County Fairs, and Rodeos - Examine the economic, cultural, and educational contributions of local livestock shows, county fairs, and rodeos across Texas. Consider the role these events play in preserving the state's agricultural heritage, supporting youth development programs, and promoting tourism and economic activity in rural and urban communities. Evaluate policy recommendations to promote these longstanding community institutions and enhance residence in youth livestock exhibition programs and events.
Agency Oversight - Pursuant to the broad oversight responsibilities granted to the committee under Section 301.014, Government Code, and the House Rules of Procedure, monitor the agencies under the Committee's jurisdiction, including for fraud, waste, and abuse, where applicable. The jurisdiction of the Culture Recreation, and Tourism Committee includes the following agencies:
· The Committee on the Formation of a Texas Bicentennial Commission
· The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
· The Texas Commission on the Arts
· The Texas State Library and Archives Commission
· The Texas Historical Commission
· The State Preservation Board
Online submission of public comments will be available on the following topics:
Implementation of 89(R) House Bill 1397
Implementation of 89(R) Senate Bill 3059
Texas Parks and Wildlife Funding
New World Screwworm Action Plan
Livestock Shows, County Fairs, and Rodeos
Agency Oversight: Texas Bicentennial Commission
Agency Oversight: Texas Parks and Wildlife Department
Agency Oversight: Texas Commission on the Arts
Agency Oversight: Texas State and Library Archives Commission
Agency Oversight: Texas Historical Commission
Agency Oversight: State Preservation Board
Texas residents who wish to electronically submit comments related to
agenda items on this notice without testifying in person can do so until
the hearing is adjourned by visiting:
https://comments.house.texas.gov/home?c=c430
For those persons who will be testifying, information for in-person witness registration, can be found here: https://mytxlegis.capitol.texas.gov/HWRSPublic/About.aspx
A live video broadcast of this hearing will be available here: https://house.texas.gov/video-audio/
Instructions related to public access to the meeting location are available here: https://house.texas.gov/committees/public-access-house-committee-meetings/
NOTICE OF ASSISTANCE AT PUBLIC MEETINGS
Persons with disabilities who plan to attend this meeting and who may need assistance, such as a sign language interpreter, are requested to contact Stacey Nicchio at (512) 463-0850, 72 hours prior to the meeting so that appropriate arrangements can be made.