By: Nichols, et al. S.B. No. 1511
(In the Senate - Filed March 5, 2019; March 14, 2019, read
first time and referred to Committee on Natural Resources &
Economic Development; April 8, 2019, reported adversely, with
favorable Committee Substitute by the following vote: Yeas 9,
Nays 0; April 8, 2019, sent to printer.)
Click here to see the committee vote
COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE FOR S.B. No. 1511 By: Hancock
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the operation of the Battleship "Texas."
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. The purpose of this Act is to ensure that the
Battleship "Texas," a national historic landmark whose engines are
national mechanical engineering landmarks and that is the only
remaining battleship to have fought in World War I and World War II,
is maintained and preserved in satisfactory condition for the
benefit of the citizens of this state.
SECTION 2. Section 22.261, Parks and Wildlife Code, is
amended to read as follows:
Sec. 22.261. JURISDICTION. The Battleship "Texas" is under
the jurisdiction of the department. The department shall enter
into a memorandum of understanding for a term of 99 years with an
appropriate nonprofit foundation for the operation and maintenance
of the Battleship "Texas."
SECTION 3. Subchapter T, Chapter 22, Parks and Wildlife
Code, is amended by adding Section 22.262 to read as follows:
Sec. 22.262. PRESERVATION STANDARDS. The memorandum of
understanding required by Section 22.261 must include provisions:
(1) governing the preservation, management, and
operation of the Battleship "Texas" consistent with the Standards
for Historic Vessel Preservation Projects with Guidelines for
Applying the Standards published by the Secretary of the United
States Department of the Interior as those standards existed on
January 1, 2019;
(2) requiring the nonprofit foundation described by
Section 22.261 to consult with the state historic preservation
officer on matters related to the preservation or repair of the
battleship; and
(3) regarding the protection of the public's interest
in maintaining and preserving a priceless historical asset in a
manner that ensures the public has access to the asset and an
opportunity to provide comment regarding the preservation of the
asset.
SECTION 4. The Parks and Wildlife Department shall enter
into the memorandum of understanding required by Section 22.261,
Parks and Wildlife Code, as amended by this Act, not later than the
later of:
(1) September 1, 2019; or
(2) the 90th day after the effective date of this Act.
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, 2019.
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