Bill > HB4187

This bill makes several significant changes to the Texas Historical Commission's (THC) operations and authorities. First, it grants the executive director more flexibility in awarding contracts by allowing them to negotiate with vendors if a competitive bidding process fails to generate responsive bids. The bill expands the commission's ability to participate in nonprofit organizations that support its work and clarifies the relationship between the commission and these affiliated nonprofit groups. It establishes new guidelines for these organizations, including how they can raise funds, manage assets, and support the commission's historic sites. The bill also explicitly defines official Texas historical markers as state property and gives the THC jurisdiction over their preservation and maintenance. Additionally, the legislation adds several new historic sites to the commission's oversight, creates detailed rules for the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation, and modifies how the commission can use funds from the historic infrastructure sustainability trust fund. The bill provides more structured guidelines for how the commission can manage its retail operations, develop historical themes for its sites, and engage with supporting nonprofit organizations, ultimately aiming to enhance the THC's ability to preserve and interpret Texas history.

Business and Industry

https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=HB4187