The bill, H.B. No. 3471, amends sections of the Government Code related to the historic infrastructure sustainability trust fund. It establishes that the fund is to be used for maintaining, preserving, rehabilitating, improving, and restoring historic sites throughout Texas. The Texas Historical Commission is authorized to request annual distributions from the fund, which can only be used for the same purposes concerning state historic sites and the historic courthouse preservation program. Notably, the bill mandates that at least one-third of each annual distribution be allocated to the historic courthouse preservation program and prohibits the use of these funds for salaries, employee benefits, or operational costs.

Additionally, the bill specifies that the commission may receive further distributions only after certifying to the Legislative Budget Board that the funds will be used appropriately and in compliance with state procurement laws. It also removes the ability to use the funds for acquiring new historic sites or real property. The changes will apply to distributions requested on or after the effective date of the Act, which is set for September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 442.0151 (Government Code 442)