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 this section, the State Preservation Board
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. Except as provided by Subsections (d) and
(f), 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 State Preservation Board.
(b) The State Preservation Board shall:
(1) develop and maintain an inventory of the contents
of the Governor's Mansion that includes all furnishings, fixtures,
works of art, and decorative objects and states the owner of each of
those items;
(2) manage a plan for the acquisition, by purchase,
donation, or loan, of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and
decorative objects for the mansion, especially early 19th-century
American, museum-quality items and items having historical
significance to the Governor's Mansion;
(3) manage a plan for the disposition of furnishings,
fixtures, works of art, and decorative objects that the State
Preservation Board determines are not needed or inappropriate; and
(4) recommend and arrange for the conservation or
restoration of furnishings, fixtures, works of art, and decorative
objects in the mansion that are owned by the state.
(c) The State Preservation Board may accept gifts, grants,
or other donations on behalf of the Governor's Mansion. The State
Preservation Board 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 conservation or restoration
services. The State Preservation Board 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.
(d) The State Preservation Board shall solicit the advice
and approval of the governor and the governor's spouse concerning
activities of the State Preservation Board under this section and
the advice of the governor and the governor's spouse concerning the
provisions of any contract executed under Subsection (c). 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 State Preservation Board.
(e) 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.
(f) The Texas Historical Commission shall be consulted on
any and all proposed changes to the Governor's Mansion which may
relate to the status of the building as a designated Recorded Texas
Historic Landmark or as a site listed on the National Register of
Historic Places.
SECTION 2. Section 442.0071, Government Code, is repealed.
SECTION 3. 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.