HBA-KDB H.B. 2877 77(R)BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 2877 By: Goolsby House Administration 8/7/2001 Enrolled BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE The State Preservation Board (board) was established in 1983 by the 68th Legislature for the purpose of preserving, maintaining, and restoring the State Capitol and the General Land Office Building. In 1997, the 75th Legislature approved the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum and authorized the board to manage the design, construction, and governance of the museum. House Bill 2877 modifies provisions regarding the operations, powers, and duties of the board. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking authority is expressly delegated to the State Preservation Board in SECTION 6 (Section 411.063, Government Code) of this bill. ANALYSIS House Bill 2877 amends the Government Code to require the curator of the Capitol to develop a collections policy regarding items of historical significance with the assistance of a review committee composed of five members whose qualifications, tenure, and duties are defined by the executive director. Provisions governing state agency advisory committees do not apply to the review committee. The bill removes provisions that require the curator to approve all exhibits placed in the buildings and to make a good faith effort, with the State Preservation Board (board) and the architect of the Capitol, to assist Texas businesses to receive a significant percentage of the total value of all contract awards for the purchase of supplies, materials, services, and equipment that are made throughout the duration of the restoration project. The bill provides that parking fees paid through parking meters maintained by the board and parking fees paid in a visitor parking facility operated by the board or the Texas State History Museum (museum) are exempt from the application of limited sales, excise, and use taxes. The bill increases from $15,000 to $50,000 the highest cost of a purchase or lease of goods and services needed to repair or improve an area within the Capitol, Capitol extension, Capitol grounds, or General Land Office building that the executive director of the board (executive director) is authorized to approve. The Information Resources Management Act does not apply to the board. The bill authorizes, rather than requires, the board to preserve, maintain, restore, and furnish Woodlawn and its contents and grounds. The bill requires the board, rather than the Department of Public Safety (DPS), to adopt rules for the safe movement and the parking of vehicles in the Capitol Complex. The bill requires DPS to administer and enforce the rules adopted by the board. The bill entitles the board to obtain criminal history record information maintained by DPS that relates to certain persons in a position that involves handling money or checks, working in the Capitol or another area designated by the public safety director as security sensitive, or direct contact with persons under 18 years of age. The bill authorizes the museum to establish a membership program. The bill allows the museum to be included among the types of charitable contributions for which state employees can deduct membership dues from their paychecks each month. The bill repeals provisions that require the state auditor to annually review the Capitol fund. The bill abolishes the museum advisory committee. EFFECTIVE DATE June 17, 2001.