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Signed Into Law
Signed May 15, 2025Effective 2025-09-01
SB1426

Regular Session

Relating to operation and management of the first capitol state historic site and replica by the Texas Historical Commission.

Government Affairs & Regulatory Compliance Analysis

SB1426: Government Affairs Overview

SB1426 transfers jurisdiction of the First Capitol State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and mandates a $2 million capital improvement project starting Fiscal Year 2026. This law does not impose new regulations on general business operations; instead, it creates significant procurement opportunities for construction firms specializing in historic preservation and triggers potential real estate acquisition in West Columbia.

Sen. Joan Huffman·Senate Bill·Regular Session

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Texas Historical Commission

Business Impact

Who SB1426 Affects

This legislation has regulatory implications for the following Texas businesses and organizations:

Regulatory Priority: low

Standard regulatory changes (effective 2025-09-01). Review during normal business planning.

🏗️

Construction

Affected business types:

  • General contractors
  • Specialty contractors
  • Construction firms
  • Building developers
View all construction legislation

Key Operational Considerations

  • 1Real Estate: Property owners adjacent to the site should prepare for potential purchase offers. Review title deeds and appraisals early if your land is "relevant" to the site's expansion.

Estimated Cost Impact

lowMinimal cost impact anticipated.

Enforcing Agencies

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SB1426
Low
Relating to operation and management of the first capitol state historic site and replica by the Texas Historical Commission.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Texas Historical Commission
Primary Author: Sen. Joan Huffman
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Procurement Activation: October 2025 – March 2026 (Anticipated RFP release window based on FY2026 funding).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The THC is not required to promulgate public rules for this transfer, but will internally define "historically accurate" architectural standards prior to soliciting bids.

Immediate Action Plan

  • Monitor the ESBD: Direct bid teams to monitor the Electronic State Business Daily starting August 2025 for THC solicitations.
  • Audit Insurance Coverage: Potential vendors must verify that Builders Risk and Professional Liability policies cover the "care, custody, and control" of irreplaceable historical artifacts.
  • Update Vendor Profiles: Ensure your company is registered as a vendor with the THC and that your "Historic Preservation" commodity codes are active.
  • Real Estate Valuation: If you own commercial property in West Columbia near the site, commission a current appraisal to establish a baseline value before state acquisition activities begin.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

  • Government Vendors: If bidding on the visitor center or Senate replica, your Master Service Agreements (MSAs) must align with THC standard terms, specifically regarding non-negotiable state indemnification clauses.
  • Bonding Requirements: Contracts exceeding $25,000 will trigger payment bond requirements, and those exceeding $100,000 will trigger performance bond requirements under Texas Government Code Chapter 2253.
  • Real Estate: Property owners adjacent to the site should prepare for potential purchase offers. Review title deeds and appraisals early if your land is "relevant" to the site's expansion.

Hiring/Training

  • Pre-Qualification: Construction and architecture firms must update their qualifications to demonstrate adherence to the *Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties*. General commercial construction experience will likely be insufficient for the "historically accurate" components of the bid.
  • Specialized Staffing: Successful bidders will need site superintendents experienced in managing workflows around sensitive historical artifacts.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

  • Material Provenance: Vendors must maintain rigorous chains of custody and material sourcing documentation to prove "historical accuracy." Failure to produce this documentation will delay payment milestones.
  • Donation Substantiation: Businesses donating to the project (as encouraged by the statute) must retain specific acknowledgment letters from the THC to claim tax deductions for contributions to a public entity.

Fees & Costs

  • No New Fees: There are no new regulatory fees imposed on the private sector.
  • Bid Preparation Costs: Vendors should budget for higher-than-average bid preparation costs due to the specialized nature of the required historical research and preservation planning.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

  • Definition of "Historically Accurate": The statute mandates the construction of a Senate replica that is "historically accurate" but does not define the specific era or architectural benchmark. This creates a risk of scope creep. Contractors must demand a precise definition of "accuracy" during the pre-bid Q&A process to avoid unbillable change orders later.
  • Scope of Land Acquisition: The THC is authorized to acquire land "adjacent or relevant" to the site. The term "relevant" is undefined, granting the agency broad discretion. Landowners in the wider West Columbia vicinity face uncertainty regarding potential eminent domain or strategic acquisition zones.

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Feb 19, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 10, 2025
Passed House
Apr 30, 2025
Signed
May 15, 2025
Effective
Sep 1, 2025
TopicsHistoric Preservation & MuseumsState FinancesState Finances--management & ControlHistorical Commission, TexasPublic Lands, Buildings & Resources
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Joan HuffmanRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsors

Rep. Cody VasutRepublican · Primary Sponsor
Joint Sponsors

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

Related Legislation

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More from Sen. Joan Huffman

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Related by Topic

View more Historic Preservation & Museums legislation
Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB1426

Q

What does Texas SB1426 do?

SB1426 transfers jurisdiction of the First Capitol State Historic Site to the Texas Historical Commission (THC) and mandates a $2 million capital improvement project starting Fiscal Year 2026. This law does not impose new regulations on general business operations; instead, it creates significant procurement opportunities for construction firms specializing in historic preservation and triggers potential real estate acquisition in West Columbia.

Q

Who authored SB1426?

SB1426 was authored by Texas Senator Joan Huffman during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB1426 signed into law?

SB1426 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 15, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB1426?

SB1426 is enforced by Texas Historical Commission.

Q

How significant are the changes in SB1426?

The regulatory priority for SB1426 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the legislation to understand potential impacts.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB1426?

The cost impact of SB1426 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB1426 address?

SB1426 addresses topics including historic preservation & museums, state finances, state finances--management & control, historical commission, texas and public lands, buildings & resources.

Q

What are the key dates for SB1426?

Key dates for SB1426: Effective date is 2025-09-01. Consult with legal counsel regarding applicability.

Need Strategic Guidance on This Legislation?

JD Key Consulting is an Austin, Texas-based government affairs firm led by James Dickey, former Chairman of the Republican Party of Texas. We specialize in Texas regulatory compliance and legislative strategy for data centers, energy, banking, and manufacturing.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: January 11, 2026