TITLE 13.CULTURAL RESOURCES

Part 2. TEXAS HISTORICAL COMMISSION

Chapter 17. STATE ARCHITECTURAL PROGRAMS

13 TAC §17.1

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) proposes an amendment to §17.1 of Chapter 17 (Title 13, Part 2 of the Texas Administrative Code) concerning the Preservation Trust Fund Grants and the Texas Preservation Trust Fund.

The purpose of the proposed amendments are to more conveniently enable grant recipients to be reimbursed for expenses incurred throughout the implementation of the grant funded project, and/or to provide grants without the requirement of matching funds or in-kind contributions for those projects that are deemed exceptional preservation projects.

F. Lawerence Oaks, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendement is in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amendment.

Mr. Oaks has also determined that for each year of the first five year period that the amendment is in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of the amendment will be an increase in the number projects that can apply for grants under the Texas Preservation Trust Fund. Additionally, Mr. Oaks has determined that there will be no effect on small businesses.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to F. Lawerence Oaks, Executive Director, Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78711. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Texas Register .

The amendment is proposed under §442.005(q), Title 4 of the Texas Government Code, which provides the Texas Historical Commission with the authority to promulgate rules and conditions to reasonably effect the purposes of this chapter.

No other articles, statutes or codes are affected by the proposed amendment.

§17.1.Preservation Trust Fund Grants.

(a) - (c) (No change.)

(d) Eligible match for grant assistance. Applicants eligible to receive grant assistance shall provide a minimum of one dollar in cash match to each state dollar for approved project costs. The commission or the Executive Director upon designation by the commission , by written policy, may approve up to 50 percent in-kind match for projects involving highly significant and endangered properties. In exceptional circumstances and upon recommendation by the Executive Director of the commission, the commission may also waive the one to one cash match requirement completely, and/or approve any combination of matching cash or in-kind contribution percentages that the commission deems appropriate.

(e) Grant applications.

(1) An application schedule and [ Application ] deadline will be set by the commission, [ is 5:00 p.m. on June 1 of each year, or 5:00 p.m. of the last regular work day of May if June 1 should fall on a weekend or holiday, or at other times as announced by the Texas Historical Commission; ] application forms are to be received by the commission at its offices by this deadline.

(2) - (4) (No change.)

(f) - (h) (No change.)

(i) Grant reimbursement procedures.

(1) (No change.)

(2) All payment of grant funds shall be strictly on a reimbursement basis. Reimbursement may be made after the competitive award of contract and submission of proof of all incurred allowable expenses in increments of at least $2,500 or at least 10% of the total project cost, whichever is greater; or according to a schedule as determined by the Executive Director of the commission; or [ and corresponding payments totaling more than 50% but less than 75% of the total project cost, and/or ] at the completion of the project after an acceptable required completion report and/or planning documents have been received by the commission.

(3) - (4) (No change.)

(j) - (p) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303183

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 6, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5711


Chapter 21. LOCAL HISTORY PROGRAMS

The Texas Historical Commission (THC) proposes to repeal §§21.1-21.31, concerning the Museum Services, Official Texas Historical Marker, Historic Texas Cemetery and Awards programs, and proposes new §§21.1-21.3, 21.6-21.9, 21.12, 21.15 and 21.18 in its History Programs chapter. The purpose of the repeals and new sections is to update and clarify the criteria for administering these programs to bring the rules in line with current procedures. The new sections change the age criteria for topics eligible for subject markers from 75 to 50 years; change the date an individual can be eligible for a marker or for mentioning in a marker inscription from 20 to 10 years after his or her death; allow the THC to adopt internal procedures for approval or rejection of marker applications; clarifies ownership of Official Texas Historical Markers by the State of Texas; and clarifies the scope of the museum services, cemetery preservation and awards programs.

F. Lawerence Oaks, executive director, has determined that, for the first five-year period the proposed sections are in effect, there are no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the sections.

F. Lawerence Oaks also has determined that, for each year of the first five years the sections are in effect, the public benefit anticipated as a result of enforcing the sections is that individuals, organizations or county historical commissions desiring to preserve their local history through these programs increased opportunities to do so with the changes proposed. There is no adverse economic effect on small or micro businesses, or on businesses of any size, as a result of enforcing or administering the sections, because, although there is a cost associated with obtaining an Official Texas Historical Marker and registering a Historic Texas Cemetery, the programs are optional and businesses are not required to participate in them. There is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the proposed sections. There is no anticipated effect on local employment in geographic areas affected by these sections.

Questions about the content of this proposal may be directed to Cynthia Beeman at (512) 463-5854 in THC's History Programs Division. Written comments on the proposal may be submitted to Cynthia Beeman, History Programs Division, Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78712-2276, within 30 days of publication in the Texas Register.

Under Section 2007.003(b) of the Government Code, THC has determined that Chapter 2007 of the Government Code does not apply to these rules. Accordingly, THC is not required to complete a takings impact assessment regarding these rules.

13 TAC §§21.1 - 21.31

(Editor's note: The text of the following sections proposed for repeal will not be published. The sections may be examined in the offices of the Texas Historical Commission or in the Texas Register office, Room 245, James Earl Rudder Building, 1019 Brazos Street, Austin.)

The repeals are proposed under the Government Code, Chapters 442.005 and 442.006, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs and to direct and coordinate the museum services, historical markers, Historic Texas Cemetery and Awards programs.

The repeals implement the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.1.Oversight for Museum Services.

§21.2.Grant Program for History Museums.

§21.3.Winedale Museum Seminar.

§21.4.Museum On-Site Consultations.

§21.5.State Marker Review Board.

§21.6.Definition of Official Texas Historical Markers.

§21.7.Documentation.

§21.8.Permanent Archives.

§21.9.County Approval of Applications.

§21.10.Use of Emblems or Logos.

§21.11.Response Required of Applicant.

§21.12.Burden of Proof.

§21.13.Relative Weight of Data.

§21.14.Subject Marker Approval.

§21.15.Marking Individuals.

§21.16.Marking Events.

§21.17.Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks.

§21.18.Relocated Structures.

§21.19.Artificial Siding.

§21.20.Permanence of Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Designation.

§21.21.Restraints to Changes in Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks.

§21.22.Disposition of a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Marker.

§21.23.Placement of Historical Markers.

§21.24.Relocation of Historical Markers.

§21.25.Significance of Marker Topics.

§21.26.Marker Inscriptions.

§21.27.Restraint on Including Owners or Restorers in Marker Text.

§21.28.Replacement of Markers.

§21.29.Owner's Permission.

§21.30.Historic Texas Cemetery.

§21.31.Awards.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 20, 2003.

TRD-200303132

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Chapter 21. HISTORY PROGRAMS

Subchapter A. INTRODUCTION

13 TAC §§21.1 - 21.3

The new sections are proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 442, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs.

The new sections implement the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.1.Object.

The Texas Historical Commission, hereafter referred to as the commission, is specifically empowered to adopt reasonable rules and procedures concerning the following programs: Official Texas Historical Marker, Historic Texas Cemetery, Museum Services, Awards. These rules and procedures assure a degree of uniformity and quality of these programs, as provided by the Government Code, §442.005 and §442.006.

§21.2.Scope.

The intent of these rules is to provide criteria by which the commission will implement and administer the Official Texas Historical Marker, Historic Texas Cemetery, Museum Services and Awards programs. These rules and procedures are within the legal authority of the commission and can be defined through the rulemaking authority of the commission.

§21.3.Definitions.

When used in this chapter, the following words or terms have the following meanings unless the context indicates otherwise:

(1) Official Texas Historical Marker. Official Texas Historical Markers are those markers and plaques the Texas Historical Commission awards, approves or administers. They include centennial markers the State of Texas awarded in the 1930s; Civil War Centennial markers from the 1960s; and medallions and markers the commission's predecessor, the Texas State Historical Survey Committee, awarded.

(2) Historical marker application. Historical marker application means a current version of the commission's Official Texas Historical Marker Application Form and all required supporting documentation as required in §21.4 of this chapter (relating to Application Requirements).

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 20, 2003.

TRD-200303133

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Subchapter B. OFFICIAL TEXAS HISTORICAL MARKER PROGRAM

13 TAC §§21.6 - 21.9

The new sections are proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 442, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs.

The new sections implement the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.6.Recorded Texas Historic Landmark Designation.

(a) The commission may award the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL) designation to historic structures that meet criteria set forth in this chapter.

(b) The RTHL designation becomes effective upon approval by the Texas Historical Commission.

(c) Official Texas Historical Markers signify the RTHL designation; designation comes only through application to and approval by the commission.

(d) Once designated, properties are subject to provisions of the Government Code, §442.006(f) and rules of the commission.

§21.7.Application Requirements.

(a) Any individual, group or county historical commission may apply to the commission for an Official Texas Historical Marker. The application shall include:

(1) a completed current Official Texas Historical Marker application form;

(2) a comprehensive research paper on the topic under consideration that contains a narrative history including:

(A) an introduction with historical background and broad historical context of the topic under consideration;

(B) a detailed chronological history that documents the complete history of the topic; and

(C) a concluding section that summarizes the history and addresses the significance of the topic;

(3) Reference notes. Facts contained in the research paper that cannot be assumed to be common knowledge shall be documented with reference notes, which can be footnotes, endnotes or parenthetical notes;

(4) Bibliography of sources cited. A bibliography is a list of all the sources used in researching the topic.

(A) for published sources, the bibliography shall include information on the author, title, publisher and date of publication.

(B) for unpublished sources, the bibliography shall include a description and date of the document, and the location of the collection or record;

(C) for oral history sources, the bibliography shall include the name of the interviewer and the interviewee; the date of the interview; the relevance of the interviewee to the topic under consideration; a statement regarding existence and location of any related notes, transcripts and/or recordings;

(5) Map. A letter-size map indicating the proposed marker location;

(6) Photographs.

(A) For subject markers, the requirement is a current photograph of the proposed marker location.

(B) For Recorded Texas Historic Landmark markers, the photographic requirements are:

(i) at least one historic photograph of the structure under review;

(ii) one current photograph of each elevation of the exterior of the structure; and

(iii) additional photographs the commission staff may request to facilitate determination of a structure's eligibility for designation.

(C) For Historic Texas Cemetery markers, the requirements are:

(i) a current photograph of the proposed marker location;

(ii) at least one current photograph showing an overall view of the cemetery; and

(iii) photographs that document individual features referred to in the application's narrative history;

(7) Authorization. Permission is required for placement of the marker, as indicated by the signature of the property owner;

(8) County historical commission approval. The county historical commission (CHC) must approve the application history, content and documentation. If a county has no active CHC, the county judge's approval may be substituted; and

(9) Additional documentation.

(A) Recorded Texas Historic Landmark markers also require:

(i) letter-size floor plans delineating any alterations or additions, with relevant dates, to the structure under consideration for designation and relevant dates;

(ii) a letter-size site plan showing the building or structure under consideration, plus any outbuildings or other significant features, such as landscaping; and

(iii) the legal description of the property (lot and block numbers; metes and bounds).

(B) Historic Texas Cemetery markers also require proof of Historic Texas Cemetery designation.

(b) The Texas Historical Commission is the final arbiter on all matters related to marker eligibility, inscriptions, titles and placement.

(c) All materials submitted for an Official Texas Historical Marker become the property of the Texas Historical Commission and part of the permanent archival files of the agency, and are subject to the Texas Open Records Act.

(d) All Official Texas Historical Markers are the property of the State of Texas and may be recalled by the commission.

§21.8.Criteria Considerations.

(a) Subject markers. Subject markers may be awarded to topics of local, state or national historical significance that meet the following requirements:

(1) Age. A topic commemorated with a subject marker must relate to a time at least 50 years before the date of application, with the following exceptions:

(A) Individuals. An individual may be the topic of a marker or be mentioned in a marker inscription 10 years after his or her death.

(B) Events. If an event changed the course of state or local history, that event may be eligible for a marker 30 years after its occurrence. An event must have a specific beginning and ending date, and the overall history of the topic under consideration must have concluded at least 30 years before the date of application; debuts or founding dates of topics with continuing history are not considered events.

(C) Waiver of age requirement. The commission may waive the age requirement for topics deemed exceptionally significant;

(2) Historical significance. The narrative history must clearly convey the significance of the topic. A topic is considered to have historical significance if it had influence, effect or impact on the course of history or cultural development; age alone does not determine significance.

(3) Marker location. Subject markers must be placed at publicly accessible sites that are relevant to the history being commemorated.

(b) Recorded Texas Historic Landmark markers. Recorded Texas Historic Landmark markers may be awarded to historic structures that meet the following criteria:

(1) Age. A structure may be eligible for the Recorded Texas Historic Landmark marker 50 years after its date of construction. The commission may waive the age requirement for structures deemed exceptionally significant;

(2) Historical significance. The narrative history must clearly convey the structure's historical significance. A structure is considered to have historical significance if it had influence, effect or impact on the course of history or cultural development; age alone does not determine significance.

(3) Architectural integrity. The commission adheres to The Secretary of Interior Standards for Rehabilitation and Guidelines for Rehabilitating Historic Buildings in making determinations for eligibility for historical designations with regard to architectural integrity. A structure has architectural integrity if its exterior appearance retains and exhibits a preponderance of the essential physical features of its original design and materials, and is in a good state of repair.

(4) Other considerations.

(A) A structure that has been moved cannot be considered for designation as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (RTHL).

(B) A structure cannot be considered for RTHL designation if artificial siding applied to its exterior within the preceding 50 years covers or alters its historic architectural materials or features.

(C) RTHL is a permanent legal designation and may not be removed from the property in the event of a transfer of ownership or unauthorized removal of the marker. The marker awarded to any designated structure remains with that structure and may not be removed or displayed elsewhere unless the Texas Historical Commission gives express approval for such action.

(D) An RTHL marker must be located on or immediately adjacent to the designated structure.

(E) In accordance with provisions of the Government Code, §442.006(f), if appreciable changes not properly approved by the Texas Historical Commission are made to a designated structure, the Texas Historical Commission may withdraw the designation and the marker.

(c) Historic Texas Cemetery markers. A marker may be awarded to a cemetery only if the commission has designated the cemetery as a Historic Texas Cemetery. The marker must be located either at or immediately adjacent to the designated cemetery.

§21.9.Application Evaluation Procedures.

The commission may adopt internal procedures governing evaluation for approval or rejection of applications for Official Texas Historical Markers, Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks or Historic Texas Cemetery designations.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303151

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Subchapter C. HISTORIC TEXAS CEMETERY PROGRAM

13 TAC §21.12

The new section is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 442, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs.

The new section implements the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.12.Historic Texas Cemetery.

(a) Cemeteries that are deemed worthy of recognition and preservation for their historic associations are eligible for listing as a Historic Texas Cemetery. The purpose of this listing is to alert the present and future owners of the existence of the cemetery. Such cemeteries are eligible for this status if established at least 50 years ago. The History Programs Committee may waive the age requirement for cemeteries that are deemed to be exceptionally significant. Listing as a Historic Texas Cemetery does not restrict in any way the private owner's use of the land.

(b) Any individual, organization, or agency may submit an application. The Texas Historical Commission shall notify the owner of the property containing the cemetery via certified mail about the proposed listing.

(c) Applications for Historic Texas Cemetery listing are available at the Commission. Completed applications, along with the processing fee of $25 (twenty-five dollars), should be sent directly to the Commission for processing and review. The Commission may request further documentation if necessary. The burden of proof of the existence of the cemetery is on the applicant. If the application is accepted for listing, the applicant and landowner will be sent a Declaration of Dedication to be completed and filed with the appropriate county clerk's office. Applications rejected because of ineligibility may be reviewed by the History Programs Committee upon the request of the applicant. The cemetery will be officially recognized as a Historic Texas Cemetery when the applicant forwards proof of the recording of the Declaration of Dedication from the appropriate county clerk's office.

(d) Listing as a Historic Texas Cemetery must be based on complete documentation of the cemetery's eligibility as outlined in the application form available from the Commission. Examples of documentation that may be required include deed and title, plot records, archival documents, photographs, oral histories, remote sensing, and archeological data.

(e) The Historic Texas Cemetery listing may be removed only by action of the Commission or by an order of the court of proper jurisdiction removing the dedication or permitting the removal of the cemetery and the return of the land to other purposes. A transfer of ownership does not result in a removal of the dedication.

(f) A Historic Texas Cemetery may be further recognized with an Official Historic Texas Cemetery Marker, available for purchase through the Commission. The marker should be placed in accordance with §§21.7-21.9 of this title.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303152

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Subchapter D. MUSEUM SERVICES PROGRAM

13 TAC §21.15

The new section is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 442, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs.

The new section implements the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.15.Museum Services.

(a) All policies and procedures relating to museum services and operation of the Sam Rayburn House Museum shall be determined by the Commission.

(b) The Commission may establish a grant program to assist small history museums in the State of Texas.

(1) The conditions of eligibility, procedures for consideration, and criteria for evaluating applications for such grants shall be determined by the Commission and made available to members of the public.

(2) Decisions on the grants shall be made by vote of the Commission in a duly posted open meeting.

(3) Grants shall be made without regard to the race, religion, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, or national origin of the applicant.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303153

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Subchapter E. AWARDS PROGRAM

13 TAC §21.18

The new section is proposed under the Government Code, Chapter 442, which authorizes THC to adopt rules to carry out its programs.

The new section implements the Government Code, Sections 442.005 and 442.006.

§21.18.Awards.

(a) The Commission may establish and present such awards and prizes as it determines to be appropriate.

(b) The conditions of eligibility, procedures for consideration, and criteria for judging such awards shall be determined by the Commission and made available to members of the public who may be interested in nominating individuals or organizations for such awards.

(c) Decisions on the awards shall be made by vote of the Commission in a duly posted open meeting.

(d) Awards shall be made without regard to the race, religion, ethnicity, gender, political affiliation, or national origin of the nominee.

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303154

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Proposed date of adoption: July 25, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-6100


Chapter 24. RESTRICTED CULTURAL RESOURCE INFORMATION

13 TAC §§24.7, 24.9, 24.19, 24.23

The Texas Historical Commission proposes amendments to §§24.7, 24.9, 24.19, and 24.23 (relating to Definitions, The Texas Historic Sites Atlas, Restricted Information Application Submission and Review Procedures and Access Committee Procedures) of Title 13, Part 2, Chapter 24 of the Texas Administrative Code (relating to Restricted Cultural Resource Information). These changes are needed to further clarify the conditions and procedures related to access to restricted information under the control of the Commission.

F. Lawerence Oaks, Executive Director, has determined that for the first five-year period the amendments are in effect there will be no fiscal implications for state or local government as a result of enforcing or administering the amendments.

Mr. Oaks has also determined that for each year of the first five year period the amendments are in effect the public benefit anticipated as a result of the amendments will be improved care of site locational information associated with cultural resource in the State of Texas. Additionally, Mr. Oaks has determined that there will be no effect on small businesses, and there is no anticipated economic cost to persons who are required to comply with the amendments as proposed.

Comments on the proposal may be submitted to F. Lawerence Oaks, Executive Director, Texas Historical Commission, P.O. Box 12276, Austin, Texas 78711. Comments will be accepted for 30 days after publication in the Texas Register .

The amendments are proposed under Title 9, Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, which provides the Commission with authority to promulgate rule that will reasonably effect the purposes of this chapter.

No other articles, statutes or codes are affected by the proposed amendments.

§24.7.Definitions.

The following words and terms, when used in this chapter, shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

(1) - (10) (No change.)

(11) Legitimate scientific or legal interest--An interest based on specific research goals associated with professional archeological, historical, or architectural research as defined in Chapter 191 of the Texas Natural Resources Code, or legal jurisdiction directly related to ownership of sites classified as restricted under this title.

(A) Firms engaged in the business of cultural resource management for profit that do not have a qualified staff archeologist do not have a legitimate scientific or legal interest.

(B) Entities granted access to RCRI solely on the basis of ownership shall be granted access only to information on the sites they actually own, to the extent it is practical to limit such access. They shall not be granted statewide access to the restricted portion of the THSA.

(C) Technical support personnel working with and under the supervision of a currently authorized RCRI user that has a legitimate scientific or legal interest.

(D) College students must work under the supervision of a currently authorized RCRI user.

(12) - (19) (No change.)

§24.9.The Texas Historic Sites Atlas.

The THSA is an evolving database of cultural resource information administered by the commission. This database is accessible to the public through the World Wide Web. The THSA contains information on archeological sites, cemeteries, historic structures, engineering features, and industrial sites, as well as digital maps of these site locations.

§24.19.Restricted Information Application Submission and Review Procedures.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Curriculum vitae. To prove his or her credentials for access, an applicant who is not a member of the Texas Archeological Stewardship Network must also submit a current curriculum vitae to the commission, if such a document is not already on file with the commission.

(c) Access agreement. The applicant must also sign an access agreement provided by the commission and submit it. A copy of the access agreement document will be kept on file at the Texas Historical Commission.

(d) [ (c) ] Initial review by the THSA Program Director. The THSA Program Director reviews all applications and vitae for completeness, and will notify the applicant of any additional information required.

(e) [ (d) ] Consideration of qualified application. When all required application information has been received and reviewed, the THSA Program Director will either rule on access relative to criteria set forth in §24.17(a) of this title (relating to Restricted Cultural Resource Information Access Qualifications), or forward the application to the access committee. If the applicant is approved for RCRI access under §24.17(a) of this title, the THSA Program Director will notify the applicant of this approval within 10 working days. The access committee will review all applicants for qualification under §24.17(b) of this title, and the THSA Program Director will notify the applicant of the committee's decision.

(f) [ (e) ] Denial of application. If an application is denied, the THSA Program Director will notify the applicant in writing of the reasons for denial. Any appeals of these decisions must be made before the commission at one of its regularly scheduled public meetings.

(g) [ (f) ] Registration of approved applicant. The [ Access agreement. Once any application has been approved by either the THSA Program Director, access committee, or commission, an access agreement will be forwarded to the applicant. The applicant must then sign the access agreement and return it to the commission. Once received, the ] THSA Program Director will register the applicant as an RCRI user, and a written notice documenting registration will be forwarded to the registered RCRI user. When appropriate, the commission will also supply the applicant with a THSA Access Account, which will enable the applicant to access the restricted portion of the THSA database. [ A copy of the access agreement document will be kept on file at the Texas Historical Commission. ]

(h) [ (g) ] The commission may conduct an investigation to verify any information submitted on an application.

(i) [ (h) ] False information. If the access committee determines that an applicant provided false information on an application, the committee will take the following actions.

(1) Recommend denial of the application.

(2) Notify the applicant of the information considered to be false and give the applicant a reasonable period of time, not to exceed 30 days, to respond.

(3) If, upon examination of the applicant's response, or failure to respond, the access committee determines that false information was knowingly provided on the application, the access committee may recommend to the commission that the applicant be denied access to RCRI for a period not to exceed two years.

(4) The commission may consider and act on this recommendation, upon due notice to the applicant, at any regular or called meeting of the commission.

(j) Special provision for access to the THC Library. Temporary access to the archeological materials in the THC Library may be granted to persons qualified under either §24.17(a) or (b) of this title by the THSA Program Manager or by a THC Staff Archeologist. Such authorization must be signed by the THC staff member and a copy kept on file at the Texas Historical Commission.

§24.23.Access Committee Procedures.

(a) (No change.)

(b) Committee meeting schedule. Meetings of the committee are held at the call of the THSA Program Director, or whenever requested by one of the members. The committee may deliberate over applications by e-mail or other appropriate communications media.

(c) (No change.)

This agency hereby certifies that the proposal has been reviewed by legal counsel and found to be within the agency's legal authority to adopt.

Filed with the Office of the Secretary of State on May 21, 2003.

TRD-200303181

F. Lawerence Oaks

Executive Director

Texas Historical Commission

Earliest possible date of adoption: July 6, 2003

For further information, please call: (512) 463-5711