S.B. No. 2008
AN ACT
relating to the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site;
authorizing fees.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 442.252, Government Code, is amended to
read as follows:
Sec. 442.252. SAN JACINTO MUSEUM AND BATTLEFIELD [OF
HISTORY] ASSOCIATION. (a) In this section, "association" means
the [The] San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield [of History]
Association, which was previously known as the San Jacinto Museum
of History Association.
(b) The association is a nonprofit historical association
organized for the purposes of operating the San Jacinto Memorial
Building and Tower and establishing a museum. The association[,]
retains ownership of property and historical data held in the name
of the association and may acquire museum accessions by gift,
grant, or purchase from association funds.
(c) The commission shall designate the association as the
entity responsible for operating the San Jacinto Memorial Building
and Tower, operating the museum, engaging in related activities on
the battleground at the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic
Site, and providing financial support for the association's
responsibilities under this section. The commission is responsible
for maintaining and repairing the San Jacinto Memorial Building and
Tower and providing utilities required for operation of the San
Jacinto Memorial Building and Tower and related facilities.
(d) The commission may enter into an agreement with the
association for the purposes of:
(1) expanding, renovating, managing, maintaining,
operating, or providing financial support for the San Jacinto
Battleground State Historic Site, including the administration and
operation of a history museum and related activities in the San
Jacinto Memorial Building and Tower or on the battleground;
(2) maintaining, preserving, restoring, and
protecting the historic San Jacinto battleground;
(3) promoting and conducting archeological studies at
the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site;
(4) maintaining, repairing, renovating, restoring,
improving, expanding, or equipping the San Jacinto Memorial
Building and Tower, museum, or battleground for one or more
projects, including construction of new or additional facilities;
(5) designing and fabricating exhibits and
preserving, storing, and displaying artifacts, historical data,
and items of historical significance, including artifacts, data,
and items owned or held by the association;
(6) creating interpretive and educational programs;
(7) acquiring additional artifacts, historical data,
and items of historical significance relevant to the battle at San
Jacinto, the Texas Revolution and the period in which it occurred,
and early Texas settlement and culture; and
(8) preserving, restoring, storing, and conserving
artifacts, historical data, and items of historical significance.
(e) Under the terms of an agreement with the commission, the
association may, in connection with the association's activities
regarding the San Jacinto Memorial Building and Tower, the museum,
and the San Jacinto battleground, charge and collect fees,
including entry fees and fees for viewing exhibits or films,
attending programs or events, and utilizing the elevator or other
facilities, and collect revenue from gift shop and concession
sales. The association shall hold, invest, manage, use, and apply
money received from those fees and sales for the benefit of the San
Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, and may exercise
discretion, subject to the terms of the association's agreement
with the commission, regarding business operations, exhibits,
programing, collection management, preservation, restoration and
storage, and site development at the San Jacinto Battleground State
Historic Site.
(f) The commission may appoint two nonvoting members to the
association's board of trustees. The commission may advise the
association on museum operations, interpretation, history,
preservation, archeology, education, nature, philanthropy, and
business development.
(g) In the event of the association's dissolution, the
commission is the sole beneficiary of all items held in the
association's name that relate to the revolutionary and battle
history of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site and to
early Texas settlement and culture, except as otherwise provided by
the association's articles of incorporation or the terms of the
gift or other transfer of the items to the association. The items
for which the commission is not the sole beneficiary must be clearly
identified and described on an agreed list prepared jointly by the
commission and the association.
(h) The commission may adopt rules to establish:
(1) guidelines under which the association may solicit
and accept sponsorships or donations from private entities in
connection with the association's activities at the San Jacinto
Battleground State Historic Site; and
(2) best practices under which the association may
engage in activities described by this section, including
procurement guidelines for the use of state funds.
SECTION 2. Subchapter F, Chapter 442, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 442.253 to read as follows:
Sec. 442.253. EXECUTIVE MANAGER; OTHER EMPLOYEES. (a) The
commission may employ an executive manager to manage the business
operations and direct staff at the San Jacinto Battleground State
Historic Site.
(b) The executive manager is responsible for managing the
business operations of the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic
Site on behalf of the commission and the San Jacinto Museum and
Battlefield Association. The executive manager's duties as they
relate to the commission and the association must be specified in an
agreement between the commission and the association.
(c) The commission may hire employees the commission
determines are necessary to fulfill the commission's duties and
responsibilities related to the San Jacinto Battleground State
Historic Site. The employees report to the executive manager.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2008 passed the Senate on
April 29, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2008 passed the House on
May 23, 2021, by the following vote: Yeas 142, Nays 3, two present
not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor