SB519

Regular Session

Relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational engagement with Texas history.

ModeratePlan for compliance

Low Cost

Effective:2025-09-01

Enforcing Agencies

Texas Historical Commission

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

Effective Date: September 1, 2025
Compliance Deadline: October 1, 2025
*Note:* The THC is statutorily required to finalize application procedures by this date. Applicants must have eligibility documentation ready for submission immediately upon the opening of the window in Q4 2025.
Agency Rulemaking: The THC must establish procedures for grant applications and administration between September 1 and October 1, 2025.
*Regulatory Warning:* This 30-day window is exceptionally short. Expect the THC to either issue emergency rules or release draft guidance in August 2025 prior to the effective date.

Immediate Action Plan

Immediate: Audit your current programs against the dual-prong eligibility test (Competition + Publication). If you lack one, you are ineligible.
August 2025: Monitor the *Texas Register* weekly for proposed THC rules regarding "statewide" definitions and performance metrics.
September 2025: Prepare a "compliance dossier" containing proof of non-profit status, insurance certificates, and historical data on student participation to establish a baseline for performance metrics.
October 1, 2025: Submit application immediately upon the opening of the portal to ensure consideration before appropriations are exhausted.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

The law prohibits "no-strings-attached" funding. You must execute a contract with the THC that explicitly defines "performance requirements."

Legal Review: In-house counsel must review the state’s standard contract for clawback provisions. If your organization fails to meet the agreed-upon performance metrics (e.g., student participation numbers), the state may be legally required to recoup funds.
Indemnification: Expect standard state contracting clauses requiring you to indemnify the THC, necessitating a review of your current liability coverage.

Hiring/Training

Grant Management: Program staff must be trained to segregate these funds from general operating accounts.
Data Collection: Staff must be assigned to track specific metrics (participation rates, publication distribution) required for the performance reports.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Eligibility Proof: You must document that your organization meets the dual-prong test: (1) hosting a *statewide* competition and (2) publishing works.
Performance Audits: The statute mandates the THC to "monitor and enforce" the contract. Maintain auditable records of student participation and physical/digital copies of publications for at least 7 years (standard retention for state contracts).

Fees & Costs

No Application Fee: The statute does not authorize an application fee.
Administrative Absorption: The Legislative Budget Board assumes agencies will absorb costs; however, your organization must budget for the internal administrative cost of compliance, reporting, and potential legal review of the grant contract.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

The statute leaves critical definitions to the THC's discretion. Watch the *Texas Register* for the following definitions during the rulemaking process:

"Statewide": The law does not define what constitutes a "statewide" competition. Does this require representation from all 254 counties, or merely that the competition is *open* to all students? A strict geographic definition could disqualify regional organizations.
"Publish": It is unclear if digital-only publications (blogs, PDFs) satisfy the requirement to "publish works," or if physical print volumes are required.
"Faculty Members": The THC must clarify if this term is restricted to university-level faculty or includes K-12 educators.

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Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

TopicsCharitable & Nonprofit Organizations State Finances State Finances--management & Control Historical Commission, Texas

Official Analysis

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BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	S.B. 519
89R623 RDS-D	By: Middleton
	Economic Development
	3/14/2025
	As Filed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

Texas history is a vital part of our cultural identity and heritage. However, in recent years, there has been a decline in engagement with Texas history among students. This decline is compounded by efforts to rewrite or minimize Texas' historical significance, leading to concerns that future generations may lack a deep understanding and appreciation of our state's rich past. S.B. 519 seeks to address this issue by creating the Texas history grant program within the Texas Historical Commission. This program will provide annual grants to nonprofit entities that will encourage the study and appreciation of Texas history among young Texans, ensuring that our state's legacy is preserved and celebrated for generations to come.

As proposed, S.B. 519 amends current law relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational engagement with Texas history.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency.

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1. Amends Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, by adding Section 442.0205, as follows:

Sec. 442.0205. TEXAS HISTORY GRANT PROGRAM. (a) Requires the Texas Historical Commission (THC) to create and administer a grant program to support the purpose of promoting educational engagement with the history of this state. �Requires that the grants, subject to Subsection (b), be awarded annually to nonprofit entities that host a statewide Texas history competition for school-aged students and publish works on Texas history written by students or faculty members.

(b) Requires THC to establish procedures to administer the grant program, including procedures for applying for a grant under this section.� Requires THC to enter into a contract that includes performance requirements with each grant recipient.� Requires THC to monitor and enforce the terms of the contract.

(c) Authorizes THC, in addition to funds appropriated by the legislature, to solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations from any public or private source for the purpose of awarding grants under this section.

SECTION 2. Requires THC to establish the procedures for applying for a grant under Section 442.0205, Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1, 2025.

SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2025.

Senate Authors

Sen. Mayes MiddletonRepublican · Primary Author

House Sponsor

Rep. William MetcalfRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

S.B. No. 519

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

	AN ACT
	relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational
	engagement with Texas history.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1. Subchapter A, Chapter 442, Government Code, is
	amended by adding Section 442.0205 to read as follows:
	Sec. 442.0205. TEXAS HISTORY GRANT PROGRAM. (a) The
	commission shall create and administer a grant program to support
	the purpose of promoting educational engagement with the history of
	this state. Subject to Subsection (b), the grants must be awarded
	annually to nonprofit entities that:
	(1) host a statewide Texas history competition for
	school-aged students; and
	(2) publish works on Texas history written by students
	or faculty members.
	(b) The commission shall establish procedures to administer
	the grant program, including procedures for applying for a grant
	under this section. The commission shall enter into a contract that
	includes performance requirements with each grant recipient. The
	commission shall monitor and enforce the terms of the contract.
	(c) In addition to funds appropriated by the legislature,
	the commission may solicit and accept gifts, grants, and donations
	from any public or private source for the purpose of awarding grants
	under this section.
	SECTION 2. The Texas Historical Commission shall establish
	the procedures for applying for a grant under Section 442.0205,
	Government Code, as added by this Act, not later than October 1,
	2025.
	SECTION 3. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
	a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
	provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
	Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
	Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

LEGISLATIVE BUDGET BOARD
Austin, Texas

FISCAL NOTE, 89TH LEGISLATIVE REGULAR SESSION


March 16, 2025

TO:	Honorable Phil King, Chair, Senate Committee on Economic Development

FROM:	Jerry McGinty, Director, Legislative Budget Board

IN RE:	SB519 by Middleton (Relating to the creation of a grant program to promote educational engagement with Texas history.), As Introduced

There would be an additional indeterminate cost related to the grant program authorized by the bill which would be dependent on the number of grant applications and appropriations made for this purpose.

The bill would establish the Texas History Grant Program as a new program administered by the Texas Historical Commission. The program would provide grants to certain non-profit organizations that promote educational engagement with Texas history.

The costs for the bill would include funding for grants and administrative costs to support the new program. The costs to implement the bill cannot be determined at this time due to an unknown amount of funding that may be provided to the Texas Historical Commission for the purpose of making grants using the program established in the bill, as well as the unknown number of applications that would be received.

It is assumed that any administrative costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.

Local Government Impact

No fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.

Source Agencies:

808 Historical Commission

LBB Staff:

JMc, RStu, LCO, JKe, NV

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Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB519

What does Texas SB519 do?

SB519 establishes a restricted grant program administered by the Texas Historical Commission (THC) specifically for non-profit entities that both host statewide history competitions and publish student or faculty works. While this legislation provides a funding avenue, it mandates a rigid 30-day implementation window and converts grant awards into binding, performance-based contracts subject to state enforcement. Implementation Timeline Effective Date: September 1, 2025 Compliance Deadline: October 1, 2025 Note: The THC is statutorily required to finalize application procedures by this date.

Who authored SB519?

SB519 was authored by Texas Senator Mayes Middleton during the Regular Session.

When was SB519 signed into law?

SB519 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on June 20, 2025.

Which agencies enforce SB519?

SB519 is enforced by Texas Historical Commission.

How urgent is compliance with SB519?

The compliance urgency for SB519 is rated as "moderate". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

What is the cost impact of SB519?

The cost impact of SB519 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

What topics does SB519 address?

SB519 addresses topics including charitable & nonprofit organizations, state finances, state finances--management & control and historical commission, texas.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

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