The commission may create and run regional research centers, accept and manage donations for them, but must follow specified rules for donated property, recordkeeping, and use of the centers.
Sec. 441.154. REGIONAL RESEARCH CENTERS. (a) To provide additional methods for the preservation of the historical resources of the state in the region of their origin or interest and to provide additional methods of carrying out the other responsibilities placed on the commission by this subchapter and Subtitle C, Title 6, Local Government Code, the commission may establish and operate regional research centers in accordance with this section. (b) The commission may accept on behalf of the state land and buildings that meet criteria established by the commission as suitable sites or buildings for a regional research center. (c) The commission may solicit, accept, or collect and may administer for any purpose related to the construction, purchase, remodeling, operation, equipping, staffing, and maintenance of a regional research center or for the operation of any other program of the commission relating to the management and preservation of local government records: (1) federal, state, local government, or private funds made available by grant; or (2) gifts of money or real or personal property from donors. (d) If acceptable to the commission, a donor may specify that donated money or property be used for specific purchases or projects related to the purposes described by Subsection (c). (e) The commission may keep outside the state treasury in a separate bank depository that the commission designates any money collected under Subsection (c). The money is not subject to legislative appropriation and may be used only for the purposes described by Subsection (c). (f) If real or personal property is donated to and accepted by the commission specifically for the purpose of sale or lease to provide funds for any of the purposes described by Subsection (c), the commission may proceed with the sale or lease. In converting donated property to money, the commission may execute bills of sale, leases, or deeds in consideration of the payment to the commission of the reasonable market value of the property as determined by a licensed or professional appraiser. The instruments of conveyance must be authorized by written resolution of the commission and must be signed by the chairman and attested to by the secretary. (g) Subject to the terms of the donation and unless provided otherwise by the donor, the commission in action for the state with respect to donated property has the powers of a trustee under Subtitle B, Title 9, Property Code (Texas Trust Code), with the state as the beneficiary and owner of the remainder of the donated property. (h) The commission may accept gifts or loans of furniture, equipment, artwork, museum pieces, and other historical resources for placement in a specified regional research center under conditions to which the commission and the donor agree. (i) For the purposes described by Subsection (c), the commission may enter into agreements the commission considers advisable with grantors and donors. The agreements may not create a financial obligation on the part of the state. (j) The commission may provide out of regular appropriations for the operation, equipping, staffing, and maintenance of a regional research center and may enter into any cooperative agreements it considers advisable with any state agency, county, municipality, or other local government for the purposes described by Subsection (c) in, or through services provided by, a regional research center. (k) A regional research center established under this section is owned by the state and is under the direct control and supervision of the commission. (l) The commission shall adopt rules that prescribe procedures for depositing, accessioning, cataloging, storing, transferring, preserving, and providing reference services for historical resources placed in a research center and shall also establish other policies it considers necessary to ensure the effective administration of a research center. (m) A regional research center is dedicated to the objectives described by Subsection (a) and may not be used for other purposes, but the commission may establish rules governing the use of meeting rooms in a research center for educational purposes. (n) Repealed by Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083, Sec. 25(40), eff. June 17, 2011. Added by Acts 1989, 71st Leg., ch. 1248, Sec. 2, eff. Sept. 1, 1989. Amended by: Acts 2011, 82nd Leg., R.S., Ch. 1083 (S.B. 1179), Sec. 25(40), eff. June 17, 2011.