Texas SB217: Relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

What the bill says

An act relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

From the enrolled text, May 23, 2025:

AN ACT relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. This Act shall be known as the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Act. SECTION 2. Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by adding Subchapter H to read as follows: [ADDED: SUBCHAPTER H. HISTORIC TEXAS FREEDMEN'S CEMETERY DESIGNATION ] [ADDED: PROGRAM] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 442.301.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: DEFINITION. In this subchapter, "program" ] [ADDED: means the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program.] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 442.302.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: ESTABLISHMENT AND PURPOSE. The commission ] [ADDED: shall establish the program to alert the public, as well as current ] [ADDED: and future owners of land adjacent to the cemetery:] [ and] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: that the cemetery contains the graves of freed ] [ADDED: slaves.] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 442.303.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: ELIGIBILITY. To be eligible for a ] [ADDED: designation under the program, a cemetery must:] [ and] [ADDED: (2)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: meet other requirements determined by the ] [ADDED: commission.] [ADDED: Sec.][ADDED: ][ADDED: 442.304.][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: APPLYING FOR DESIGNATION. (a) Any person may ] [ADDED: submit an application to the commission to designate a cemetery ] [ADDED: under the program.] [ADDED: (b)][ADDED: ][ADDED: ][ADDED: The applicant must include as part of the …

Sponsors

• Royce West (D, SD-023) · primary sponsor
• Borris Miles (D, SD-013)
• Harold Dutton (D, HD-142)
• Lauren Ashley Simmons (D, HD-146)
• Penny Morales Shaw (D, HD-148)

Latest actions

1. June 20, 2025: Effective on 9/1/25
2. June 20, 2025: Signed by the Governor
3. May 27, 2025: Sent to the Governor
4. May 26, 2025: Signed in the House
5. May 26, 2025: Signed in the Senate
6. May 23, 2025: Reported enrolled
7. May 23, 2025: House passage reported
8. May 22, 2025: Record vote (RV#3235)
9. May 22, 2025: Passed
10. May 22, 2025: Postponed (5/22/25 3:30 PM)

Votes

• Economic Development Committee Vote (Out of committee): 4 yea, 1 nay, passed
• Culture, Recreation & Tourism Committee Vote (Out of committee): 6 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3885 (May 22, 2025): 109 yea, 33 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3235 (May 22, 2025): 140 yea, 0 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3995 (May 21, 2025): 121 yea, 13 nay, passed
• Record vote RV#3166 (May 21, 2025): 142 yea, 0 nay, passed

Common questions

What is SB217?

SB217 is a bill in the Texas Legislature (89th Legislature Regular Session): Relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

What does SB217 do?

In its own words: An act relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

What is the status of SB217?

Signed into law as of June 20, 2025. Latest action: Effective on 9/1/25 (June 20, 2025).

Who sponsored SB217?

Royce West (D, SD-023), with 4 co-sponsors.

Where is the official record for SB217?

On the Texas Legislature website: https://capitol.texas.gov/BillLookup/History.aspx?LegSess=89R&Bill=SB00217