SB1350

The commission must encourage and help coordinate local and private celebrations, publicize activities, set standards and officially recognize activities meeting them, invite national and international dignitaries, encourage out-of-state attendance, develop a logo, permit appropriate logo use, and approve commemorative products it may sell. It may solicit gifts, grants and donations from any source on the state’s behalf and adopt rules needed for its work. The act does not itself award a particular community a grant or prescribe a statewide festival schedule. Final law, sections 452.008, 452.010 and 452.011.

It may hire an executive director, who may hire necessary staff. Members receive no compensation for commission service, but may receive actual, necessary expense reimbursement within applicable state-budget limits. Public members’ expenses come from commission funds; legislative members’ expenses from their chamber; and members serving through another public position from that entity. Unpaid membership therefore does not mean the commission has no operating costs. Final law, sections 452.006–452.007.

The governor selects the presiding officer, who serves at the governor’s will. The commission must meet at least quarterly; 13 members constitute a quorum. Chapter 551’s open-meetings framework applies, including its exceptions, rather than a new blanket exemption from public access. Final law, sections 452.004–452.005; Existing open-meetings requirement; Meeting-notice requirement.

Appointed members normally serve staggered six-year terms. Initial appointments were due December 1, 2025, with designated groups ending January 31 in 2027, 2029 and 2031. Public members remain until successors qualify; legislative members vacate their commission seats if they leave the legislative position qualifying them to serve. Vacancies are filled in the same manner as the original appointment. These are statutory requirements, not confirmation of who was appointed or when. Final law, sections 452.002–452.003 and section 2.

The commission must report to the governor and legislature on the celebrations’ effects on the state economy by September 1, 2037. The commission is abolished and its chapter expires on that same date. The law establishes a temporary planning body; it does not guarantee a particular economic return. Final law, sections 452.009 and 452.012.

The Senate substitute removed 2036 from the introduced name, Texas 2036 Bicentennial Commission, without changing the stated bicentennial purpose. The Senate-passed and House committee versions otherwise match the substitute. Representative Leach’s adopted House amendment added permission to establish and operate an affiliated nonprofit organization as necessary for the chapter’s purposes. That nonprofit authority is in the final law; the Senate concurred May 22. Introduced bill; Senate substitute; Senate-passed text; House committee text; Complete adopted amendment; Amendment index; Text index; Final law.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Community organizers and cultural institutions gain a state coordination and publicity framework, while public officials take on additional duties. Staffing, expense reimbursement and event-related work can require resources even though commission members are unpaid. Donations and an affiliated nonprofit are permitted, but the act does not guarantee private fundraising or require a particular donation. Final law.

The March 16 and March 24 fiscal notes, and both May 21 versions linked in the official text index, anticipate no significant state or local fiscal impact and assume costs can be absorbed with existing resources. They do not project tourism revenue, fundraising totals, staffing levels or the full cost of celebrations. The act makes no appropriation. Introduced fiscal note; Senate-substitute fiscal note; House-passed fiscal note; Final-index fiscal note; Final law.