BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1350 89R11851 MCK-F By: Hughes Economic Development 3/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT S.B. 1350 aims to establish a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence. Since there was an established commission for celebrating 150 years (sesquicentennial) of Texas' independence, we see it to be fit to commission the celebration of 200 years of Texas' independence. This proposition would establish the "Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission," to be composed of 23 members: Nine members of the public appointed by the governor with consent from the Senate, three senators and three state representatives appointed by the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house, respectively. The commission will also be headed by the executive directors of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Commission on the Arts; the commissioners of education and higher education; and the directors of the Texas Film Commission, the travel information division of the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Institute of Texan Cultures at The University of Texas at San Antonio. The public members shall reflect diverse geographic and population groups of this state. All commission members are voting members, and the duties that ex officio members perform are in addition to their original duties that qualified them for the position. Public members serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third of the members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year. One presiding officer is appointed by, and serves at the will of, the governor. If absent from a meeting, the commission members present at the meeting elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote. The commission shall meet at least quarterly and by call of the presiding officer. The commission may employ an executive director, who has capacity to employ staff necessary to administer the commission. No later than September 1, 2037, a report shall be filed with the governor and legislature discussing the effects of the bicentennial activities. The commission may solicit and accept grants, donations, and gifts from any source to perform its duties. If established, S.B. 1350 will offer many opportunities for Texans to celebrate their patriotism, as well as the heritage, history and independence of their state. As proposed, S.B. 1350 amends current law relating to a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 452.011, Government Code) of this bill. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 452, as follows: CHAPTER 452. TEXAS 2036 BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION Sec. 452.001. DEFINITION. Defines "commission." Sec. 452.002. COMMISSION. (a) Provides that the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission (commission) is composed of certain appointed persons. (b) Requires the public members appointed by the governor to reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of this state. (c) Provides that each member of the commission is a voting member. Provides that the duties performed by an ex officio member of the commission constitute additional duties of the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission. (d) Provides that a member of the commission who is a senator or representative vacates the member's position if the member ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission. (e) Requires a public member to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. (f) Requires that a vacancy in the membership of the commission be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment. Sec. 452.003. TERMS. Provides that appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year. Sec. 452.004. PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) Requires the governor to appoint one member of the commission to serve as presiding officer. Provides that the presiding officer serves at the will of the governor. (b) Requires the members of the commission present at a meeting, if the presiding officer is absent from the meeting or is disabled, to elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote. Sec. 452.005. MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) Requires the commission to meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the presiding officer or as provided by commission rule. (b) Provides that Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) applies to the commission. (c) Provides that thirteen members of the commission constitute a quorum. Sec. 452.006. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) Provides that a member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties, subject to any applicable limitation on reimbursement provided by the General Appropriations Act. (b) Requires a member appointed by the governor to be reimbursed from the commission's funds. Requires a member appointed by the lieutenant governor or speaker of the house of representatives to be reimbursed from the appropriate fund of the member's chamber of the legislature. Requires an ex officio member to be reimbursed from the funds of the entity from which the member serves. Sec. 452.007. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; STAFF. (a) Authorizes the commission to employ an executive director to serve as the executive head of the commission and perform its administrative functions. (b) Authorizes the executive director to employ staff necessary to administer the commission. Sec. 452.008. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION. Requires the commission to: (1) encourage individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies to organize activities celebrating the bicentennial of this state's independence; (2) assist individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies that organize bicentennial activities to coordinate the activities; (3) gather and disseminate information to the public about bicentennial activities conducted in the state; (4) develop standards for bicentennial activities organized by individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies and sanction activities that comply with the standards; (5) invite national and international dignitaries to attend and participate in bicentennial activities conducted in this state; (6) encourage persons living outside the state to attend bicentennial activities occurring in the state; (7) develop a logo to be used by the commission and permit other persons to use the logo if the commission considers the use appropriate; and (8) sanction products the commission is authorized to sell, including a commemorative calendar or flag, commemorating the state's bicentennial. Sec. 452.009. REPORT. Requires the commission, not later than September 1, 2037, to file a report with the governor and the legislature containing information about the effects of the bicentennial activities conducted in this state on the state's economy. Sec. 452.010. DONATIONS; GRANTS. Authorizes the commission to solicit and accept, on behalf of the state, gifts, grants, and donations from any source to be used by the commission to perform its duties. Sec. 452.011. RULES. Authorizes the commission to adopt rules necessary to perform its functions. Sec. 452.012. EXPIRATION. Provides that the commission is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2037. SECTION 2. (a) Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives, not later than December 1, 2025, to appoint the initial members to the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission in accordance with Section 452.002, Government Code, as added by this Act. (b) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 452.003, Government Code, as added by this Act, in making the initial appointments to the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission under Subsection (a) of this section: (1) the governor is required to designate three members for terms expiring January 31, 2027, three members for terms expiring January 31, 2029, and three members for terms expiring January 31, 2031; (2) the lieutenant governor is required to designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031; and (3) the speaker of the house of representatives is required to designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031. SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 1350
89R11851 MCK-F By: Hughes
Economic Development
3/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 1350
89R11851 MCK-F
By: Hughes
Economic Development
3/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
S.B. 1350 aims to establish a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence. Since there was an established commission for celebrating 150 years (sesquicentennial) of Texas' independence, we see it to be fit to commission the celebration of 200 years of Texas' independence.
This proposition would establish the "Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission," to be composed of 23 members: Nine members of the public appointed by the governor with consent from the Senate, three senators and three state representatives appointed by the lieutenant governor and speaker of the house, respectively. The commission will also be headed by the executive directors of the Texas Economic Development & Tourism Office, Texas Historical Commission, and Texas Commission on the Arts; the commissioners of education and higher education; and the directors of the Texas Film Commission, the travel information division of the Texas Department of Transportation, and the Institute of Texan Cultures at The University of Texas at San Antonio.
The public members shall reflect diverse geographic and population groups of this state. All commission members are voting members, and the duties that ex officio members perform are in addition to their original duties that qualified them for the position. Public members serve until a successor is appointed and qualified. Appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms, with one-third of the members appointed by the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year.
One presiding officer is appointed by, and serves at the will of, the governor. If absent from a meeting, the commission members present at the meeting elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote. The commission shall meet at least quarterly and by call of the presiding officer. The commission may employ an executive director, who has capacity to employ staff necessary to administer the commission. No later than September 1, 2037, a report shall be filed with the governor and legislature discussing the effects of the bicentennial activities. The commission may solicit and accept grants, donations, and gifts from any source to perform its duties. If established, S.B. 1350 will offer many opportunities for Texans to celebrate their patriotism, as well as the heritage, history and independence of their state.
As proposed, S.B. 1350 amends current law relating to a commission to coordinate celebrations of the bicentennial anniversary of Texas' independence.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
Rulemaking authority is expressly granted to Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission in SECTION 1 (Section 452.011, Government Code) of this bill.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, by adding Chapter 452, as follows:
CHAPTER 452. TEXAS 2036 BICENTENNIAL COMMISSION
Sec. 452.001. DEFINITION. Defines "commission."
Sec. 452.002. COMMISSION. (a) Provides that the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission (commission) is composed of certain appointed persons.
(b) Requires the public members appointed by the governor to reflect the diverse geographic regions and population groups of this state.
(c) Provides that each member of the commission is a voting member. Provides that the duties performed by an ex officio member of the commission constitute additional duties of the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission.
(d) Provides that a member of the commission who is a senator or representative vacates the member's position if the member ceases to hold the underlying position that qualifies the member for service on the commission.
(e) Requires a public member to serve until a successor is appointed and qualified.
(f) Requires that a vacancy in the membership of the commission be filled for the unexpired term in the manner provided for the original appointment.
Sec. 452.003. TERMS. Provides that appointed members of the commission serve staggered six-year terms with the terms of three members appointed by the governor, one member appointed by the lieutenant governor, and one member appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives expiring on January 31 of each odd-numbered year.
Sec. 452.004. PRESIDING OFFICER. (a) Requires the governor to appoint one member of the commission to serve as presiding officer. Provides that the presiding officer serves at the will of the governor.
(b) Requires the members of the commission present at a meeting, if the presiding officer is absent from the meeting or is disabled, to elect a temporary presiding officer by majority vote.
Sec. 452.005. MEETINGS; QUORUM. (a) Requires the commission to meet at least quarterly and at other times at the call of the presiding officer or as provided by commission rule.
(b) Provides that Chapter 551 (Open Meetings) applies to the commission.
(c) Provides that thirteen members of the commission constitute a quorum.
Sec. 452.006. COMPENSATION; REIMBURSEMENT. (a) Provides that a member of the commission is not entitled to compensation for service on the commission but is entitled to reimbursement for actual and necessary expenses incurred in performing commission duties, subject to any applicable limitation on reimbursement provided by the General Appropriations Act.
(b) Requires a member appointed by the governor to be reimbursed from the commission's funds. Requires a member appointed by the lieutenant governor or speaker of the house of representatives to be reimbursed from the appropriate fund of the member's chamber of the legislature. Requires an ex officio member to be reimbursed from the funds of the entity from which the member serves.
Sec. 452.007. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR; STAFF. (a) Authorizes the commission to employ an executive director to serve as the executive head of the commission and perform its administrative functions.
(b) Authorizes the executive director to employ staff necessary to administer the commission.
Sec. 452.008. POWERS AND DUTIES OF COMMISSION. Requires the commission to:
(1) encourage individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies to organize activities celebrating the bicentennial of this state's independence;
(2) assist individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies that organize bicentennial activities to coordinate the activities;
(3) gather and disseminate information to the public about bicentennial activities conducted in the state;
(4) develop standards for bicentennial activities organized by individuals, private organizations, and local governmental bodies and sanction activities that comply with the standards;
(5) invite national and international dignitaries to attend and participate in bicentennial activities conducted in this state;
(6) encourage persons living outside the state to attend bicentennial activities occurring in the state;
(7) develop a logo to be used by the commission and permit other persons to use the logo if the commission considers the use appropriate; and
(8) sanction products the commission is authorized to sell, including a commemorative calendar or flag, commemorating the state's bicentennial.
Sec. 452.009. REPORT. Requires the commission, not later than September 1, 2037, to file a report with the governor and the legislature containing information about the effects of the bicentennial activities conducted in this state on the state's economy.
Sec. 452.010. DONATIONS; GRANTS. Authorizes the commission to solicit and accept, on behalf of the state, gifts, grants, and donations from any source to be used by the commission to perform its duties.
Sec. 452.011. RULES. Authorizes the commission to adopt rules necessary to perform its functions.
Sec. 452.012. EXPIRATION. Provides that the commission is abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2037.
SECTION 2. (a) Requires the governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of representatives, not later than December 1, 2025, to appoint the initial members to the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission in accordance with Section 452.002, Government Code, as added by this Act.
(b) Provides that, notwithstanding Section 452.003, Government Code, as added by this Act, in making the initial appointments to the Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission under Subsection (a) of this section:
(1) the governor is required to designate three members for terms expiring January 31, 2027, three members for terms expiring January 31, 2029, and three members for terms expiring January 31, 2031;
(2) the lieutenant governor is required to designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031; and
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives is required to designate one member for a term expiring January 31, 2027, one member for a term expiring January 31, 2029, and one member for a term expiring January 31, 2031.
SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 2025.