S.B. No. 217 establishes the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, which aims to recognize and alert the public about cemeteries containing the graves of freed slaves. The bill amends Chapter 442 of the Government Code by adding Subchapter H, which outlines the program's definition, purpose, eligibility criteria, application process, and review procedures. To qualify for designation, a cemetery must contain at least one grave of a freed slave and meet additional requirements set by the commission. The commission will notify property owners and relevant organizations upon receiving an application and will review applications to determine eligibility.

Additionally, the bill allows the commission to charge an application fee of up to $25 and mandates the design of a medallion to identify designated cemeteries. The Texas Historical Commission is required to adopt rules for administering the program by June 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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