H.B. No. 4187 amends the Government Code to enhance the authority and responsibilities of the Texas Historical Commission. A key addition is Section 442.0046, which empowers the executive director to negotiate and award contracts for goods or services to qualified vendors when competitive bidding does not yield satisfactory results. The bill also introduces Section 442.0062, affirming the commission's jurisdiction over the preservation, maintenance, and repair of official Texas historical markers, which are designated as state property regardless of their location. Additionally, the bill creates Subchapter A-1, detailing the role of affiliated nonprofit organizations, such as the Friends of the Texas Historical Commission, in providing services and financial support to the commission and historic sites, while ensuring accountability through annual audits and restrictions on the use of state funds.

Moreover, the bill updates the list of historic sites under the commission's jurisdiction, adding the Barrington Living History Farm State Historic Site and removing outdated references. It establishes a new subchapter for the Washington-on-the-Brazos Historical Foundation, outlining its responsibilities in supporting specific historic sites and developing historical themes. The legislation also clarifies that contracts solicited before the Act's effective date will remain governed by existing law, and it specifies that certain provisions will only apply to future distributions from the historic infrastructure sustainability trust fund. Overall, H.B. No. 4187 aims to improve the management and interpretation of Texas's historic sites while ensuring proper oversight and support for their operations, with the Act set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: Government Code 442.005, Government Code 442.072, Government Code 442.101, Government Code 442.113, Government Code 442.0055 (Government Code 442)
House Committee Report: Government Code 442.005, Government Code 442.0151, Government Code 442.072, Government Code 442.101, Government Code 442.113, Government Code 442.0055 (Government Code 442)
Engrossed: Government Code 442.005, Government Code 442.0151, Government Code 442.072, Government Code 442.101, Government Code 442.113, Government Code 442.0055 (Government Code 442)
Senate Committee Report: Government Code 442.005, Government Code 442.0151, Government Code 442.072, Government Code 442.101, Government Code 442.113, Government Code 442.0055 (Government Code 442)
Enrolled: Government Code 442.005, Government Code 442.0151, Government Code 442.072, Government Code 442.101, Government Code 442.113, Government Code 442.0055 (Government Code 442)