HB1397 - Relating to the care, custody, and display of the letter known as the victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Declaration of Independence.

      H.B. No. 1397         AN ACT   relating to the care, custody, and display of the letter known as   the victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas   Declaration of Independence.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Chapter 443, Government Code, is amended by   adding Section 443.031 to read as follows:           Sec.   443.031.     CARE, CUSTODY, AND DISPLAY OF VICTORY OR   DEATH LETTER, TEXAS CONSTITUTION, AND TEXAS DECLARATION OF   INDEPENDENCE. (a) In this section, "victory or death letter" means   the letter written by Lieutenant Colonel William B. Travis dated   February 24, 1836, and signed "Victory or Death."           (b)     The board is responsible for the care and custody of the   victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas   Declaration of Independence.   The board is responsible for the   safety and preservation of the victory or death letter at all times,   including when the letter is in the direct custody of the board, in   storage, or on display in the Alamo complex, Capitol Complex, or   another site the board determines appropriate under Subsection (f).           (c)     The board, in consultation with the Texas Historical   Commission and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission,   shall:                 (1)     designate an appropriate place in the Alamo   complex for the secure display of the victory or death letter; and                 (2)     on the Texas Historical Commission's determination   that the transfer to and display of the letter at the Alamo complex   is safe and appropriate, transfer the letter to that location for   display.           (d)     Until the board designates an appropriate place in the   Alamo complex to display the victory or death letter and in   collaboration with the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas   State Library and Archives   Commission determines an appropriate   time to securely transfer the letter to that place, the board, in   consultation with the Texas Historical Commission and the Texas   State Library and Archives Commission, shall display the victory or   death letter in the public location at the Capitol Complex at which   the Texas Constitution and the Texas Declaration of Independence   are displayed as required by Subsection (e).           (e)     The board shall collaborate with the Texas Historical   Commission and the Texas State Library and Archives Commission to   determine an appropriate public location at the Capitol Complex for   the secure display of the Texas Constitution and the Texas   Declaration of Independence.           (e-1)     The board, in consultation and collaboration with the   Texas Historical Commission and the Texas State Library and   Archives Commission and not later than December 1, 2027, shall:                 (1)  develop a plan to display:                       (A)     the Texas Declaration of Independence and the   Texas Constitution in the Capitol Complex; and                       (B)     the victory or death letter in the Alamo   complex and other sites the board determines appropriate under   Subsection (f);                 (2)     publish the plan on the board's Internet website;   and                 (3)     provide a copy of the plan to the standing   committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over the state's   historical resources.           (e-2)     Subsection (e-1) and this subsection expire September   1, 2031.           (f)     The board, in consultation and collaboration with the   Texas Historical Commission and the Texas State Library and   Archives Commission, may authorize for a limited period the display   of the Texas Constitution, the Texas Declaration of Independence,   or the victory or death letter at a museum, historical event, or   historical site.           (g)     Costs attributable to the display of the victory or   death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Declaration of   Independence shall be paid by the board, using money available to   the board for that purpose.          SECTION 2.  On the day the Texas Constitution, the Texas   Declaration of Independence, and the letter described by Section   443.031(a), Government Code, as added by this Act, are to be   displayed at the Capitol Complex, as provided by Sections   443.031(d) and (e), Government Code, as added by this Act, the Texas   State Library and Archives Commission shall transfer to the State   Preservation Board the Texas Constitution, the Texas Declaration of   Independence, and the letter described by Section 443.031(a),   Government Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.       ______________________________ ______________________________      President of the Senate Speaker of the House                   I certify that H.B. No. 1397 was passed by the House on April   30, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 143, Nays 0, 1 present, not   voting; and that the House concurred in Senate amendments to H.B.   No. 1397 on May 29, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 141, Nays 0,   1 present, not voting.     ______________________________   Chief Clerk of the House               I certify that H.B. No. 1397 was passed by the Senate, with   amendments, on May 23, 2025, by the following vote:  Yeas 29, Nays   2.     ______________________________   Secretary of the Senate      APPROVED: __________________                   Date                       __________________                 Governor