S.B. No. 907
AN ACT
relating to the preservation, maintenance, and improvement of the
Republic of Texas Granite Boundary Marker.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 442.0074 to read as follows:
Sec. 442.0074. PRESERVATION, MAINTENANCE, AND IMPROVEMENT
OF REPUBLIC OF TEXAS GRANITE BOUNDARY MARKER. (a) In this
section, "boundary marker" means the granite marker designating the
former international boundary between the Republic of Texas and the
United States, originally placed in 1841 at its location in Panola
County near Farm to Market Road No. 31, at or about 32°2'3"N,
94°2'35"W, and known as the Republic of Texas Granite Boundary
Marker and the International Boundary Marker.
(b) To the extent authorized by law, the commission shall
preserve, maintain, and improve the boundary marker and state land
adjacent to the boundary marker and shall:
(1) design and construct a structure or device
sufficient to protect the boundary marker from vandalism, theft,
and natural elements;
(2) display historical and educational information on
a sign or plaque at the boundary marker site to inform the public of
the history of the boundary marker and the region;
(3) cooperate with the federal government and other
persons as necessary to facilitate the implementation of duties
imposed by this section; and
(4) take other action the commission determines
necessary to preserve, maintain, restore, and improve the boundary
marker and the state grounds adjacent to the boundary marker for the
beautification and cultural enhancement of the property as a
significant historical site in this state.
(c) Notwithstanding any other law, any power or duty related
to the boundary marker formerly vested in another state agency is
vested solely in the commission.
(d) The commission may spend money appropriated to the
commission for purposes of this section only to accomplish those
purposes.
(e) The commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and
donations of money or property from any public or private source to
be used for the purposes of this section.
(f) The commission, in consultation with each state senator
and representative in whose district the boundary marker is located
and other interested parties, may:
(1) replace the original boundary marker with a
replica boundary marker;
(2) preserve, maintain, and display the original
boundary marker at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum; and
(3) perform the duties assigned by Subsection (b) with
respect to the replica boundary marker at the original boundary
marker location.
SECTION 2. The Texas Historical Commission is required to
implement a provision of this Act only if the legislature
appropriates money specifically for that purpose. If the
legislature does not appropriate money specifically for that
purpose, the Texas Historical Commission may, but is not required
to, implement a provision of this Act using other appropriations
available for that purpose.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2019.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 907 passed the Senate on
April 26, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 30, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 907 passed the House on
May 22, 2019, by the following vote: Yeas 144, Nays 0, two
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor