H.B. No. 840 proposes significant amendments to the Government Code concerning the management of monuments, memorials, and designations on public property in Texas. The bill introduces provisions for the construction of such monuments using funds from the Texas preservation trust fund and establishes a Historical Representation Advisory Committee. This committee will guide the addition and removal of monuments in the Capitol Complex, ensuring diverse historical representation, and is required to submit a report on the significance of each monument by December 1, 2026. Additionally, the bill outlines a process for altering or removing monuments based on their age, necessitating legislative approval for those over 25 years old.

The bill also establishes civil penalties for violations of the new regulations, allowing residents to file complaints with the attorney general, with penalties for intentional violations ranging from $1,000 to $25,500. It includes specific provisions for higher education institutions regarding the renaming or altering of designations and explicitly protects the Alamo Cenotaph from alteration or relocation. Furthermore, the bill waives the sovereign immunity of the state and governmental immunity of counties or municipalities concerning liabilities created by these regulations, allowing for legal actions against them. The Historical Representation Advisory Committee must be appointed by January 1, 2026, and the bill will take effect immediately upon a two-thirds majority vote or on September 1, 2025, if not passed.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 442.015, Government Code 2166.5011, Subchapter K, Chapter , Government Code 61.003 (Government Code 442, Government Code 2166, Subchapter K, Chapter , Government Code 61)