The commission must direct the state archeological program, and the state archeologist must withhold certain location or character information when disclosure could harm, steal, or destroy resources.
Sec. 442.007. STATE ARCHEOLOGICAL PROGRAM. (a) The commission, through the state archeologist, shall direct the state archeological program. (b) The program must include: (1) a continuing inventory of nonrenewable archeological resources; (2) evaluation of known sites through testing and excavation; (3) maintenance of extensive field and laboratory data, including data on collections of antiquities; (4) consultation with state agencies and organizations and local groups concerning archeological and historical problems; and (5) publication of the results of the program through various sources, including a regular series of reports. (c) The commission may enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with the federal government, other state agencies, state or private museums or educational institutions, or qualified persons, including for-profit corporations, for prehistoric or historic archeological investigations, surveys, excavations, or restorations in this state. (d) The state archeologist has general jurisdiction and supervision over archeological work, reports, surveys, excavations, and archeological programs of the commission and of cooperating state agencies. (e) The duties of the state archeologist include: (1) maintaining an inventory of significant historic or prehistoric sites of archeological or historic interest; (2) providing public information and education in the fields of archeology and history; (3) conducting surveys and excavations with respect to significant archeological or historic sites in this state; (4) preparing reports and publications concerning the work of the office of the state archeologist; (5) doing cooperative and contract work in prehistoric and historic archeology with other state agencies, the federal government, state or private institutions, or individuals; (6) maintaining and determining the repository of catalogued collections of artifacts and other materials of archeological or historic interest; and (7) preserving the archeological and historical heritage of this state. (f) The state archeologist shall withhold from disclosure to the public information relating to the location or character of archeological or historic resources if the state archeologist determines that the disclosure of the information may create a substantial risk of harm, theft, or destruction to the resources or to the area or place where the resources are located. Acts 1987, 70th Leg., ch. 147, Sec. 1, eff. Sept. 1, 1987. Amended by: Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 161 (S.B. 1093), Sec. 9.009, eff. September 1, 2013. Acts 2013, 83rd Leg., R.S., Ch. 550 (S.B. 615), Sec. 3, eff. September 1, 2013.