By: Williams S.B. No. 2307
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's
Mansion.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by
adding Section 443.029 to read as follows:
Sec. 443.029. GOVERNOR'S MANSION. (a) Except as otherwise
specifically provided by law, the board is responsible for the
preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion and the
protection of the historical and architectural integrity of the
mansion's exterior, interior, and grounds. This section does not
limit the authority of the Texas Historical Commission under
Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code.
(b) Except for a change in or to the Pease bedroom, the Sam
Houston bedroom, the hallway, or the stairwell, a nonstructural
decorative change in or to the private living and guest quarters of
the governor and the governor's family on the second floor of the
Governor's Mansion does not require the prior approval of the board
or the Texas Historical Commission.
(c) The Texas Historical Commission and the office of the
governor may exercise the powers and shall perform the duties
relating to the Governor's Mansion that are provided by applicable
law, subject to the requirements of this section.
SECTION 2. The heading to Section 442.0071, Government
Code, is amended to read as follows:
Sec. 442.0071. DUTIES REGARDING [PRESERVATION AND
MAINTENANCE OF] GOVERNOR'S MANSION.
SECTION 3. Section 442.0071, Government Code, is amended
by amending Subsections (a), (c), and (e) and adding Subsection (f)
to read as follows:
(a) The [Except as otherwise specifically provided by this
section, the] commission shall approve construction plans and
monitor the work on the Governor's Mansion to ensure compliance
with Chapter 191, Natural Resources Code, to ensure [is solely
responsible for the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's
Mansion and the protection of] the historical and architectural
integrity of the mansion's exterior, interior, contents, and
grounds. A [Except as provided by Subsection (d), a] substantial
addition, deletion, or other alteration may not be made to the
mansion or its contents or grounds without the prior approval of the
commission.
(c) The commission may accept gifts, grants, or other
donations on behalf of the Governor's Mansion. The commission
shall contract with a nonprofit organization formed to assist in
the preservation and maintenance of the Governor's Mansion to
develop and implement a plan for the solicitation and acceptance of
gifts, grants, devises, and bequests of money, other property, and
services to be used in the acquisition of furnishings, fixtures,
works of art, and decorative objects for the Governor's Mansion or
for necessary landscaping, conservation, or restoration services.
The commission also may contract with a nonprofit organization
described by this subsection for the performance of any duty
provided by Subsection (b). A contract under this subsection may
not exceed a term of two years [and must expire on December 31 of an
odd-numbered year].
(e) The State Preservation Board [Purchasing and General
Services Commission] and the office of the governor may exercise
the powers and shall perform the duties relating to the Governor's
Mansion that are provided by applicable law, subject to the
requirements of this section.
(f) Section 443.007 does not apply to this section.
SECTION 4. Subsection (d), Section 442.0071, Government
Code, is repealed.
SECTION 5. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.