89R16187 LRM-D     By: Miles S.B. No. 2918       A BILL TO BE ENTITLED   AN ACT   relating to the Texas Freedman's Bureau.          BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:          SECTION 1.  Subtitle E, Title 4, Government Code, is amended   by adding Chapter 473 to read as follows:   CHAPTER 473. TEXAS FREEDMAN'S BUREAU   SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS          Sec. 473.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:                (1)  "Bureau" means the Texas Freedman's Bureau   established under this chapter.                (2)  "Commissioner" means a commissioner of the Texas   Freedman's Bureau.                (3)  "Freedman" means an individual who was a freed   slave, under the Freedman's Bureau Act of 1865, from the period of   1861 to 1868 as identified by Congress.          Sec. 473.002.  ESTABLISHMENT OF BUREAU. The Texas   Freedman's Bureau is established to assist the residents of this   state in determining their ancestry and heritage, provide   assistance to residents who are certified descendants of freedmen,   and promote the use of the term "freedmen" in demographic data   collected in this state.          Sec. 473.003.  APPLICATION OF SUNSET ACT. The bureau is   subject to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in   existence as provided by that chapter, the bureau is abolished and   this chapter expires September 1, 2035.   SUBCHAPTER B.  BUREAU          Sec. 473.101.  COMPOSITION; TERMS; COMPENSATION. (a) The   bureau is composed of five commissioners appointed by the governor.   In making the appointments, the governor shall consider candidates   suggested by the Texas Volunteer Council on Freedmen Affairs.          (b)  The commissioners serve two-year terms.          (c)  A commissioner serves without compensation but is   entitled to reimbursement for travel and other expenses incurred by   the commissioner while conducting the business of the bureau as   provided by the General Appropriations Act.          Sec. 473.102.  DIRECTOR; EMPLOYEES. The bureau shall employ   a director for each bureau office and other employees necessary to   administer this chapter.          Sec. 473.103.  ADMINISTRATIVE ATTACHMENT. (a)  The bureau   is administratively attached to the Health and Human Services   Commission.          (b)  The Health and Human Services Commission, using   existing resources, shall provide the administrative support and   personnel necessary for the bureau to implement this chapter.          Sec. 473.104.  OFFICES. The bureau shall maintain an office   within facilities of the Health and Human Services Commission and   other state agencies, as appropriate, in the following counties:                (1)  Bexar County;                (2)  Dallas County;                (3)  Harris County; and                (4)  Travis County.   SUBCHAPTER C.  POWERS AND DUTIES          Sec. 473.201.  GENERAL POWERS AND DUTIES. The bureau shall:                (1)  establish and maintain a database to collect   demographic data for the purpose of assisting residents of this   state in establishing ancestral ties with freedmen;                (2)  provide a freedmen identification card to each   resident who establishes ancestral ties with a freedman;                (3)  assist residents who are descendants of freedmen   with obtaining reparations, including by providing legal   assistance with filing claims for reparations; and                (4)  promote the use of the term "freedmen" for   descendants of freed slaves in all demographic data related to   ethnicity, nationality, or race collected by a state agency or   political subdivision.          Sec. 473.202.  STRATEGIC PLAN; COLLABORATION.  (a)  The   bureau, in collaboration with other state agencies, state   officials, and nonprofit organizations, shall create a strategic   plan for implementing this chapter.          (b)  The strategic plan must identify:                (1)  the locations for the bureau offices;                (2)  the resources the bureau will operate and   maintain;                (3)  the bureau's plan to assist descendants of   freedmen with obtaining reparations; and                (4)  the assistance required from other state agencies   and state officials to implement this chapter.          (c)  The comptroller, attorney general, Department of Public   Safety, Parks and Wildlife Department, and other appropriate state   agencies and state officials shall assist the bureau as necessary   to implement this chapter and develop the strategic plan.          Sec. 473.203.  RULES. The bureau and executive commissioner   of the Health and Human Services Commission may adopt the rules   necessary to implement this chapter.          SECTION 2.  As soon as practicable after the effective date   of this Act, the governor shall appoint the commissioners to the   Texas Freedman's Bureau as required by Chapter 473, Government   Code, as added by this Act.          SECTION 3.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.