89R16187 LRM-D
By: Miles S.B. No. 2918
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the Texas Freedman's Bureau.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
by adding Chapter 473 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 473. TEXAS FREEDMAN'S BUREAU
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS
Sec. 473.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
(1) "Bureau" means the Texas Freedman's Bureau
established under this chapter.
(2) "Commissioner" means a commissioner of the Texas
Freedman's Bureau.
(3) "Freedman" means an individual who was a freed
slave, under the Freedman's Bureau Act of 1865, from the period of
1861 to 1868 as identified by Congress.
Sec. 473.002. ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU. The Texas
Freedman's Bureau is established to assist the residents of this
state in determining their ancestry and heritage, provide
assistance to residents who are certified descendants of freedmen,
and promote the use of the term "freedmen" in demographic data
collected in this state.
Sec. 473.003. APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The bureau is
subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in
existence as provided by that chapter, the bureau is abolished and
this chapter expires September 1, 2035.
SUBCHAPTER B. BUREAU
Sec. 473.101. COMPOSITION; TERMS; COMPENSATION. (a) The
bureau is composed of five commissioners appointed by the governor.
In making the appointments, the governor shall consider candidates
suggested by the Texas Volunteer Council on Freedmen Affairs.
(b) The commissioners serve two-year terms.
(c) A commissioner serves without compensation but is
entitled to reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred by
the commissioner while conducting the business of the bureau as
provided by the General Appropriations Act.
Sec. 473.102. DIRECTOR; EMPLOYEES. The bureau shall employ
a director for each bureau office and other employees necessary to
administer this chapter.
Sec. 473.103. ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a) The bureau
is administratively attached to the Health and Human Services
Commission.
(b) The Health and Human Services Commission, using
existing resources, shall provide the administrative support and
personnel necessary for the bureau to implement this chapter.
Sec. 473.104. OFFICES. The bureau shall maintain an office
within facilities of the Health and Human Services Commission and
other state agencies, as appropriate, in the following counties:
(1) Bexar County;
(2) Dallas County;
(3) Harris County; and
(4) Travis County.
SUBCHAPTER C. POWERS AND DUTIES
Sec. 473.201. GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The bureau shall:
(1) establish and maintain a database to collect
demographic data for the purpose of assisting residents of this
state in establishing ancestral ties with freedmen;
(2) provide a freedmen identification card to each
resident who establishes ancestral ties with a freedman;
(3) assist residents who are descendants of freedmen
with obtaining reparations, including by providing legal
assistance with filing claims for reparations; and
(4) promote the use of the term "freedmen" for
descendants of freed slaves in all demographic data related to
ethnicity, nationality, or race collected by a state agency or
political subdivision.
Sec. 473.202. STRATEGIC PLAN; COLLABORATION. (a) The
bureau, in collaboration with other state agencies, state
officials, and nonprofit organizations, shall create a strategic
plan for implementing this chapter.
(b) The strategic plan must identify:
(1) the locations for the bureau offices;
(2) the resources the bureau will operate and
maintain;
(3) the bureau's plan to assist descendants of
freedmen with obtaining reparations; and
(4) the assistance required from other state agencies
and state officials to implement this chapter.
(c) The comptroller, attorney general, Department of Public
Safety, Parks and Wildlife Department, and other appropriate state
agencies and state officials shall assist the bureau as necessary
to implement this chapter and develop the strategic plan.
Sec. 473.203. RULES. The bureau and executive commissioner
of the Health and Human Services Commission may adopt the rules
necessary to implement this chapter.
SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date
of this Act, the governor shall appoint the commissioners to the
Texas Freedman's Bureau as required by Chapter 473, Government
Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.