85S10224 MTB/NC-D
 
  By: Creighton S.B. No. 112
 
 
 
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 
AN ACT
  relating to the removal, relocation, or alteration of certain
  monuments or memorials located on public property.
         BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
         SECTION 1.  Section 2166.5011, Government Code, is amended
  by amending Subsections (a) and (b) and adding Subsection (d) to
  read as follows:
         (a)  In this section, "monument or memorial" means a
  permanent monument, memorial, or other designation, including a
  statue, portrait, plaque, seal, symbol, 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 and
  except as provided by Subsection (c), 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 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 only by:
                     (A) [(1)  by] the legislature;
                     (B) [(2)  by] the Texas Historical Commission; or
                     (C) [(3)  by] the State Preservation Board[; or
               [(4)  as provided by Subsection (c)].
         (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.
         SECTION 2.  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,
  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 OF
  MONUMENT OR MEMORIAL.  Except as provided by Section 338.003, 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; or
               (2)  for at least 20 years but less than 40 years may be
  removed, relocated, or altered only by approval of a majority of the
  voters of the municipality or county, as applicable, voting at an
  election held for that purpose.
         Sec. 338.003.  CONSTRUCTION, REPAIR, OR IMPROVEMENTS.  (a)  
  A monument or memorial that is located on municipal or county
  property may be removed, relocated, or altered as necessary to
  accommodate construction, repair, or improvements to the monument
  or memorial or to the surrounding property on which the monument or
  memorial is located. 
         (b)  Any monument or memorial that is permanently removed
  under this section must be relocated to a prominent location.
         SECTION 3.  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 December 1, 2017.