BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 519 89R623 RDS-D By: Middleton Economic Development 3/14/2025 As Filed AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT Texas history is a vital part of our cultural identity and heritage. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in engagement with Texas history among students. This decline is compounded by efforts to rewrite or minimize Texas' historical significance, leading to concerns that future generations may lack a deep understanding and appreciation of our state's rich past. S.B. 519 seeks to address this issue by creating the Texas history grant program within the Texas Historical Commission. This program will provide annual grants to nonprofit entities that will encourage the study and appreciation of Texas history among young Texans, ensuring that our state's legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come. As proposed, S.B. 519 amends current law relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational engagement with Texas history. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, by adding Section 442.0205, as follows: Sec. 442.0205. TEXAS HISTORY GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to create and administer a grant program to support the purpose of promoting educational engagement with the history of this state. Requires that the grants, subject to Subsection (b), be awarded annually to nonprofit entities that host a statewide Texas history competition for school-aged students and publish works on Texas history written by students or faculty members. (b) Requires THC to establish procedures to administer the grant program, including procedures for applying for a grant under this section. Requires THC to enter into a contract that includes performance requirements with each grant recipient. Requires THC to monitor and enforce the terms of the contract. (c) Authorizes THC, in addition to funds appropriated by the legislature, to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purpose of awarding grants under this section. SECTION 2. Requires THC to establish the procedures for applying for a grant under Section 442.0205, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2025. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.
BILL ANALYSIS
Senate Research Center S.B. 519
89R623 RDS-D By: Middleton
Economic Development
3/14/2025
As Filed
Senate Research Center
S.B. 519
89R623 RDS-D
By: Middleton
Economic Development
3/14/2025
As Filed
AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT
Texas history is a vital part of our cultural identity and heritage. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in engagement with Texas history among students. This decline is compounded by efforts to rewrite or minimize Texas' historical significance, leading to concerns that future generations may lack a deep understanding and appreciation of our state's rich past. S.B. 519 seeks to address this issue by creating the Texas history grant program within the Texas Historical Commission. This program will provide annual grants to nonprofit entities that will encourage the study and appreciation of Texas history among young Texans, ensuring that our state's legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.
As proposed, S.B. 519 amends current law relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational engagement with Texas history.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.
SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS
SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, by adding Section 442.0205, as follows:
Sec. 442.0205. TEXAS HISTORY GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to create and administer a grant program to support the purpose of promoting educational engagement with the history of this state. Requires that the grants, subject to Subsection (b), be awarded annually to nonprofit entities that host a statewide Texas history competition for school-aged students and publish works on Texas history written by students or faculty members.
(b) Requires THC to establish procedures to administer the grant program, including procedures for applying for a grant under this section. Requires THC to enter into a contract that includes performance requirements with each grant recipient. Requires THC to monitor and enforce the terms of the contract.
(c) Authorizes THC, in addition to funds appropriated by the legislature, to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purpose of awarding grants under this section.
SECTION 2. Requires THC to establish the procedures for applying for a grant under Section 442.0205, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2025.
SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.