The bill, titled the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Act, establishes a program aimed at recognizing cemeteries that contain the graves of freed slaves. It introduces a new subchapter, Subchapter H, to Chapter 442 of the Government Code, which outlines the purpose, eligibility criteria, application process, and review procedures for the designation of cemeteries under this program. 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 bill also mandates that the commission notify relevant parties upon receiving an application and provides a framework for reviewing applications and making decisions.

Additionally, the bill allows the commission to charge an application fee of up to $25 and requires the design of a medallion to identify designated cemeteries. The commission is tasked with developing an application form and posting it on their website, as well as adopting necessary rules to implement the program by June 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.

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