83S20374 BPG-D
By: King of Taylor H.C.R. No. 17
CONCURRENT RESOLUTION
WHEREAS, The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, a
wide-ranging civil rights law, prohibits discrimination based on
disability under certain circumstances; and
WHEREAS, Under Title III of the ADA, no individual may be
discriminated against on the basis of disability with regard to the
full and equal enjoyment of the goods, services, facilities, or
accommodations of any place of public accommodation by any person
who owns, leases, or operates a place of public accommodation; and
WHEREAS, The Texas State Capitol building clearly falls into
the category of "public accommodations," which encompasses
everything from hotels and restaurants to educational facilities
and recreation spots; moreover, it is in the interest of the state
to ensure that its most public building is easily accessible to all
citizens, including people with disabilities, veterans, parents
with small children, and the elderly; and
WHEREAS, Currently, persons whose mobility is impaired are
limited to entering the Capitol through the north doors, a
limitation that causes added inconvenience for people who park in
the visitor's parking garage and that can result in delays when
large numbers of people are coming to the Capitol; and
WHEREAS, There may be other features that present additional
barriers for Texans who want to meet their legislators or attend
legislative proceedings, and an assessment of Capitol access is
warranted; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the 83rd Legislature of the State of Texas,
2nd Called Session, hereby direct the State Preservation Board to
conduct a study on improving access to the Capitol building for
persons with mobility impairments and to prepare a report,
including findings and recommendations, within six months of the
passage of this resolution; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That the board include in its report a list of
enhancements that can be accomplished with existing resources, as
well as a list of those improvements that require the appropriation
of additional funds, and that on completion of the report, the board
immediately commence implementation of those enhancements for
which resources are already available.