Bill Text: TX HB3279 | 2023-2024 | 88th Legislature | Introduced

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Bill Title: Relating to the removal, relocation, alteration, or construction of certain monuments or memorials located on public property.

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)

Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2023-03-15 - Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism [HB3279 Detail]

Download: Texas-2023-HB3279-Introduced.html

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88R13053 SCP-D
By: Slaton H.B. No. 3279

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
AN ACT
relating to the removal, relocation, alteration, or construction of
certain monuments or memorials located on public property.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 442.015(b), Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
(b) The commission may use distributions from the Texas
preservation trust fund account to provide financial assistance to
public or private entities for the acquisition, survey,
restoration, or preservation, or for planning and educational
activities leading to the preservation, of historic property in the
state that is listed in the National Register of Historic Places or
designated as a State Archeological Landmark or Recorded Texas
Historic Landmark, or that the commission determines is eligible
for such listing or designation or for the construction of a
monument or memorial described by Section 2166.5011(c) or by
Section 338.003, Local Government Code. The financial assistance
may be in the amount and form and according to the terms that the
commission by rule determines. The commission shall give priority
to property the commission determines to be endangered by
demolition, neglect, underuse, looting, vandalism, or other threat
to the property. Gifts and grants deposited to the credit of the
account specifically for any eligible projects may be used only for
the type of projects specified. If such a specification is not
made, the gift or grant shall be unencumbered and accrue to the
benefit of the Texas preservation trust fund account. If such a
specification is made, the entire amount of the gift or grant may be
used during any period for the project or type of project specified.
SECTION 2. Section 2166.5011, Government Code, is amended
to read as follows:
Sec. 2166.5011. REMOVAL, RELOCATION, [OR] ALTERATION, OR
CONSTRUCTION OF A MONUMENT OR MEMORIAL. (a) In this section,
"monument or memorial" means a permanent monument, memorial, or
other designation, including a statue, portrait, plaque, seal,
symbol, cenotaph, building name, bridge name, park name, area name,
or street name, that:
(1) is located on state property; and
(2) honors an event or person of historic significance
[a citizen of this state for military or war-related service].
(b) Notwithstanding any other provision of this code, a
monument or memorial that is located on state property:
(1) for at least 40 years may not be removed,
relocated, or altered;
(2) for at least 20 years but less than 40 years may be
removed, relocated, or altered only by approval of a concurrent
resolution authorizing the removal, relocation, or alteration,
including alteration to maintain historical accuracy, by a
two-thirds vote of the members of each house of the legislature; or
(3) for less than 20 years may be removed, relocated,
or altered, including alteration to maintain historical accuracy,
only[:
[(1)] by the legislature[;
[(2) by the Texas Historical Commission;
[(3) by the State Preservation Board; or
[(4) as provided by Subsection (c)].
(c) An additional [A] monument or memorial may be added
[removed, relocated, or altered in a manner otherwise provided by
this code as necessary to accommodate construction, repair, or
improvements] to the [monument or memorial or to the] surrounding
state property on which a [the] monument or memorial is located to
complement or contrast with the monument or memorial.
(d) Notwithstanding Section 2166.003, this section applies
to a monument or memorial on property of an institution of higher
education, as defined by Section 61.003, Education Code. [Any
monument or memorial that is permanently removed under this
subsection must be relocated to a prominent location.]
SECTION 3. Subtitle C, Title 10, Local Government Code, is
amended by adding Chapter 338 to read as follows:
CHAPTER 338. MONUMENTS AND MEMORIALS
Sec. 338.001. DEFINITION. In this chapter, "monument or
memorial" means a permanent monument, memorial, or other
designation, including a statue, portrait, plaque, seal, symbol,
cenotaph, building name, bridge name, park name, area name, or
street name, that honors an event or person of historic
significance.
Sec. 338.002. REMOVAL, RELOCATION, OR ALTERATION. A
monument or memorial that is located on municipal or county
property:
(1) for at least 40 years may not be removed,
relocated, or altered;
(2) for at least 20 years but less than 40 years may be
removed, relocated, or altered, including alteration to maintain
historical accuracy, only by approval of a majority of the voters of
the municipality or county, as applicable, voting at an election
held for that purpose; or
(3) for less than 20 years may be removed, relocated,
or altered, including alteration to maintain historical accuracy,
only by the governing body of the municipality or the commissioners
court of the county, as applicable.
Sec. 338.003. ADDITIONAL MONUMENT OR MEMORIAL. An
additional monument or memorial may be added to the surrounding
municipal or county property on which a monument or memorial is
located to complement or contrast with the monument or memorial.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2023.