SRC-HRD H.B. 1811 75(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   H.B. 1811
By: Hunter (Shapiro)
State Affairs
5-12-97
Engrossed


DIGEST 

Every state is required by the National Historical Publications and
Records Commission (NHPRC) to establish a Historical Records Advisory
Board in order to qualify for the funding it provides to assist in the
preservation and management of significant historical records.  These
State Advisory Boards coordinate historical records programs in the states
and review and screen grant applications to the NHPRC.  The Texas
Historical Records Advisory Board (board) was created by an Executive
Order of the Governor some years ago.  It serves as an advisory board to
the State Library and Archives Commission.  Funding for the board's
operations is provided by the NHPRC.   
          
Last year the board carried out a strategic planning process; one outcome
of that process was a recommendation that the board be established in
statute.  Another recommendation was to change the membership of the board
to bring it more into line with the State Library and Archives
Commission's other advisory boards, appointed by the commission's director
and librarian.  

This bill would establish the current board in statute and make minor
changes to its membership.                    
PURPOSE

As proposed, H.B. 1811 establishes the current Texas Historical Records
Advisory  Board in statute, making minor changes to its membership.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, institution, or agency. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Chapter 441, Government Code, by adding Subchapter L, as
follows: 

SUBCHAPTER L.  TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD

Sec. 441.201.  DEFINITIONS.  Defines "board," "commission," "director and
librarian," "historical records coordinator," and "national commission." 

Sec. 441.202.  TEXAS HISTORICAL RECORDS ADVISORY BOARD.  Establishes the
Texas Historical Records Advisory Board (board) and sets forth the purpose
and responsibilities of the board. 

Sec. 441.203.  COMPOSITION OF THE BOARD.  Sets forth the composition of
the board. 

Sec. 441.204.  TERMS.  Sets forth the terms of the historical records
coordinator and other members of the board. 

SECTION 441.205.   COMPENSATION.  Provides that a member is not entitled
to compensation but is entitled to reimbursement from board funds for the
travel expenses incurred by the member while conducting the business of
the board, as provided in the General Appropriations Act.   

SECTION 441.206.   VACANCY.   Requires a vacancy on the board to be filled
in the same  manner as the original appointment. 

SECTION 2. Requires the governor and the director and librarian, as soon
as possible after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the initial
members of the Texas Historical Records Advisory Board.  Requires the
governor, in making the initial appointments, to designate the historical
records coordinator for a term expiring February 1, 2001, one member for a
term expiring February 1, 1999, and one member for a term expiring
February 1, 2000.  Requires the director and librarian to designate two
members for terms expiring February 1, 1999, two members for terms
expiring February 1, 2000, and two members for terms expiring February 1,
2001. 

SECTION 3. Effective date: September 1, 1997.

SECTION 4. Emergency clause.