By: Parker, Oliverson, Metcalf, Landgraf,	H.B. No. 2497
	Lambert, et al.

	A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
	AN ACT
	relating to the establishment and duties of the Texas 1836 Project.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle D, Title 4, Government Code, is amended
	by adding Chapter 451 to read as follows:
	CHAPTER 451. TEXAS 1836 PROJECT
	Sec. 451.001.  DEFINITIONS. In this chapter:
	(1)  "1836 Project" means the advisory committee
	established under this chapter.
	(2)  "Patriotic education" includes the:
	(A)  presentation of the history of this state's
	founding and foundational principles;
	(B)  examination of how this state has grown
	closer to those principles throughout its history; and
	(C)  explanation of why commitment to those
	principles is beneficial and justified.
	(3)  "State agency" means a department, commission,
	board, office, or other agency in the executive branch of state
	government that is created by the constitution or a statute of this
	state.
	Sec. 451.002.  ESTABLISHMENT. (a) The 1836 Project is
	established as an advisory committee to promote patriotic education
	and increase awareness of the Texas values that continue to
	stimulate boundless prosperity across this state.
	(b)  The 1836 Project is composed of nine members.  The
	governor, lieutenant governor, and speaker of the house of
	representatives shall each appoint three members.  The appointees
	may include persons in the private sector with relevant experience
	or subject matter expertise.
	(c)  Members serve two-year terms and may not be removed
	except for inefficiency, neglect of duty, or malfeasance.
	(d)  The governor shall appoint one member of the 1836
	Project as the presiding officer.
	(e)  The presiding officer shall:
	(1)  convene regular meetings of the 1836 Project; and
	(2)  coordinate and direct the activities of the 1836
	Project.
	Sec. 451.003.  DUTIES. (a)  The 1836 Project shall:
	(1)  promote awareness among residents of this state of
	the following as they relate to the history of prosperity and
	democratic freedom in this state:
	(A)  Texas history, including the indigenous
	peoples of this state, the Spanish and Mexican heritage of this
	state, Tejanos, the Texas War for Independence, annexation of Texas
	by the United States, the Christian heritage of this state, this
	state's heritage of keeping and bearing firearms in defense of life
	and liberty and for use in hunting, and Juneteenth;
	(B)  the founding documents of this state;
	(C)  the founders of this state;
	(D)  state civics; and
	(E)  the role of this state in passing and
	reauthorizing the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965 (52 U.S.C.
	Section 10101 et seq.), highlighting:
	(i)  President Lyndon B. Johnson's signing
	of the act;
	(ii)  President George W. Bush's 25-year
	extension of the act; and
	(iii)  Congresswoman Barbara Jordan's
	successful efforts to broaden the act to include Spanish-speaking
	communities;
	(2)  advise the governor on the core principles of the
	founding of this state and how those principles further enrich the
	lives of its residents;
	(3)  facilitate the development and implementation of
	the Gubernatorial 1836 Award to recognize student knowledge of
	Texas Independence and other items listed in Subdivisions
	(1)(A)-(D);
	(4)  advise state agencies with regard to their efforts
	to ensure patriotic education is provided to the public at state
	parks, battlefields, monuments, museums, installations, landmarks,
	cemeteries, and other places important to the Texas War for
	Independence and founding of this state, as appropriate and
	consistent with applicable law; and
	(5)  facilitate, advise on, and promote other
	activities to support public knowledge of and patriotic education
	on the Texas War for Independence and founding of this state, as
	appropriate and consistent with applicable law.
	(b)  In carrying out its duties under Subsection (a)(2), the
	project may solicit statements and contributions from intellectual
	and cultural figures.
	Sec. 451.004.  FUNDING; COMPENSATION. (a) The Texas
	Education Agency shall provide funding and administrative support
	for the 1836 Project, including for the pamphlets described by
	Section 451.005, to the extent funds are available for those
	purposes.
	(b)  A member of the 1836 Project is not entitled to
	compensation but is entitled to reimbursement for the travel
	expenses incurred by the member while transacting project business,
	as provided by the General Appropriations Act.
	Sec. 451.005.  PAMPHLET. Not later than September 1, 2022,
	the 1836 Project shall provide a pamphlet to the Texas Department of
	Public Safety that explains the significance of policy decisions
	made by this state that promote liberty and freedom for businesses
	and families. The contents must include:
	(1)  an overview of Texas history and civics;
	(2)  the legacy of economic prosperity in this state;
	and
	(3)  the abundant opportunities for businesses and
	families in this state.
	Sec. 451.006.  REPORT. (a)  Not later than September 1,
	2022, the 1836 Project shall prepare and produce a written report
	that includes:
	(1)  a description of the activities of the project;
	(2)  the findings and recommendations of the project;
	(3)  a plan that identifies the best method of carrying
	out the duties under Sections 451.003(a)(1), (4), and (5);
	(4)  any proposals for legislation; and
	(5)  any other matter the project considers
	appropriate.
	(b)  Subsequent to the report required under Subsection (a),
	the 1836 Project may prepare and produce additional reports the
	project considers appropriate.
	(c)  The Texas Education Agency shall make a report described
	by this section available to the public on the agency's Internet
	website.
	(d)  To the extent existing agency resources are available
	for this purpose, the Texas Education Agency may provide to the 1836
	Project any agency resources necessary to prepare or produce a
	report described by this section.
	Sec. 451.007.  ABOLITION; EXPIRATION. The 1836 Project is
	abolished and this chapter expires September 1, 2036.
	SECTION 2.  Subchapter A, Chapter 521, Transportation Code,
	is amended by adding Section 521.013 to read as follows:
	Sec. 521.013.  TEXAS 1836 PROJECT PAMPHLET. (a) The
	department shall provide the pamphlet described by Section 451.005,
	Government Code, to persons who receive a driver's license:
	(1)  after applying under Section 521.144; or
	(2)  with an expiration provided by Section
	521.271(a-2) or (a-3).
	(b)  The department shall make the pamphlet described by
	Section 451.005, Government Code, available to the public on the
	department's Internet website.
	SECTION 3.  As soon as possible after the effective date of
	this Act, the governor, the lieutenant governor, and the speaker of
	the house of representatives shall make the appointments to the
	1836 Project under Section 451.002, Government Code, as added by
	this Act.
	SECTION 4.  This Act takes effect September 1, 2021.