HB 5616: Howard Bill Funds Tourism Marketing For Three Presidential Libraries

Caption

relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and funding for the program.

Summary

State money and donations go in a new account. Plus renovations and a traveling exhibit.

The bill orders the Texas Historical Commission to create a program that funds and promotes the three presidential libraries in Texas: Johnson, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. It touches those three libraries, the commission, and any nonprofit the commission hires to run the program. On the ground, state money and donations go into a new account to pay for library exhibit renovations, tourism marketing and a traveling exhibit, starting September 1, 2025.

Labels

Labels: ACROSS THE AISLE. Joint authors: 3 Republicans, 2 Democrats. Party as the Legislative Reference Library lists it for the 89th Legislature.

Receipt

The receipt

89R-HB5616 · 2025-03-14

SOLD BY

Rep. Donna HowardDHouse 48

Rep. Morgan MeyerRHouse 108

Rep. Paul DysonRHouse 14

+ 2 more authors, 3 coauthors

ITEM

relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and funding for the program.

WHAT IT DOES

State money and donations go in a new account. Plus renovations and a traveling exhibit.

The bill orders the Texas Historical Commission to create a program that funds and promotes the three presidential libraries in Texas: Johnson, George H. W. Bush and George W. Bush. It touches those three libraries, the commission, and any nonprofit the commission hires to run the program. On the ground, state money and donations go into a new account to pay for library exhibit renovations, tourism marketing and a traveling exhibit, starting September 1, 2025.

CHARGES

[x] NEW FEE, FUND, BOARD OR APPOINTEESanalysis confidence 50%

THE TEXT

“The commission shall establish an account into which gifts, grants, and other donations received by the commission for purposes of this subchapter may be deposited.”

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The bill creates a new dedicated account for the program. The caption openly says the bill is about funding for the program, so this is disclosed, not hidden.

TOTAL

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

HISTORY

Mar 14, 2025Filed
Apr 7, 2025Read first time
Apr 7, 2025Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
Apr 15, 2025Scheduled for public hearing on . . .
Apr 15, 2025Considered in public hearing
Apr 15, 2025Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
Apr 15, 2025Left pending in committee
Apr 16, 2025Considered in formal meeting
Apr 16, 2025Recommended to be sent to Local & Consent
Apr 16, 2025Reported favorably w/o amendment(s)
Apr 23, 2025Comte report filed with Committee Coordinator
Apr 23, 2025Committee report distributed
Apr 24, 2025Comm. report sent to Local & Consent Calendar
Apr 25, 2025Considered in Local & Consent Calendars
Apr 25, 2025Transferred to Calendars Committee
Apr 25, 2025Committee report sent to Calendars
Apr 25, 2025Considered in Calendars
Apr 29, 2025Placed on General State Calendar
Apr 29, 2025Read 2nd time
Apr 29, 2025Passed to engrossment
Apr 29, 2025Record vote RV#933
Apr 30, 2025Read 3rd time
Apr 30, 2025Passed
Apr 30, 2025Record vote RV#1067
Apr 30, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
Apr 30, 2025Reported engrossed
Apr 30, 2025Received from the House
May 22, 2025Read first time
May 22, 2025Referred to Economic Development
May 23, 2025Considered in public hearing
May 23, 2025Vote taken in committee
May 26, 2025Reported favorably as substituted
May 26, 2025Recommended for local & uncontested calendar
May 26, 2025Committee report printed and distributed
May 27, 2025Co-sponsor authorized
May 27, 2025Placed on intent calendar
May 27, 2025Rules suspended-Regular order of business
May 27, 2025Record vote
May 27, 2025Read 2nd time
May 27, 2025Amendment(s) offered FA1 Johnson
May 27, 2025Amended
May 27, 2025Vote recorded in Journal
May 27, 2025Passed to 3rd reading as amended
May 27, 2025Record vote
May 27, 2025Three day rule suspended
May 27, 2025Record vote
May 27, 2025Read 3rd time
May 27, 2025Passed
May 27, 2025Record vote
May 28, 2025Senate passage as amended reported
May 28, 2025Senate Amendments distributed
May 28, 2025Senate Amendments Analysis distributed
May 29, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)
May 29, 2025Record vote RV#4045
May 29, 2025Statement(s) of vote recorded in Journal
May 29, 2025Text of Senate Amendment(s)
May 29, 2025House concurs in Senate amendment(s)-reported
May 30, 2025Reported enrolled
May 31, 2025Signed in the House
Jun 1, 2025Signed in the Senate
Jun 1, 2025Sent to the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Signed by the Governor
Jun 20, 2025Effective on 9/1/25

FILED UNDER

TAXPAYER-FUNDED NGOS

THE TEXT

“The commission may enter into a contract with a nonprofit entity for the nonprofit entity to administer and operate the program.”

Bill text, Senate committee report version (S)

The bill lets the state hand the whole program, including money appropriated by the legislature, to a nonprofit to run instead of the agency.

SIGNED FOR BY

House · 90 yea · 45 nay

Senate · 26 yea · 5 nay

Sources

House: Final passage · Apr 30, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate: Final passage · May 27, 2025. Journal. Published stock for this vote. Snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

All floor motions and other positions below.

Smells

THANK YOU FOR CHECKING THE RECEIPT

CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY

Donna Howard

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15K Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee$8K HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund$7K

Not tied to this bill.

Sources

The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.

Derived itemized flow · Oct 28, 2024 to Oct 24, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC$15,000.00

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101031291, 101059636, 101070104.

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee$7,500.00

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

$7,500.00

Cash: $7,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,500.00

Also funds 38 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101069647.

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund$7,000.00

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

$7,000.00

Cash: $7,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,000.00

Also funds 8 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 22, 2025 to May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101059636.

Money

Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.

×

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

$15,000.00

Cash: $15,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $15,000.00

Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 10, 2024 to Oct 2, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101031291, 101059636, 101070104.

×

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

$7,500.00

Cash: $7,500.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,500.00

Also funds 38 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Nov 19, 2024 to Oct 5, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Team

Sources

Derived itemized flow · Dec 11, 2024 to Sep 12, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 100985297, 101069647.

×

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

$7,000.00

Cash: $7,000.00
Paid by others: $0.00
Total: $7,000.00

Also funds 8 other sitting lawmakers.

Derived recipient stock · Aug 22, 2025 to May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

TEC account match.

Sources

Derived itemized flow · on May 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.

Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.

Report IDs: 101059636.

Votes7

House May 29, 2025

Yea: 103
Nay: 35
Present, not voting: 1
Absent: 5
Excused: 6

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 4045

Representative Howard moved to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5616. The motion to concur in the senate amendments to HB 5616 prevailed by (Record 4045): 103 Yeas, 35 Nays, 1 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 103 (published)
Nay: 35 (published)
Present, not voting: 1 (published)
Absent: 5 (derived from named list)
Excused: 6 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea: 26
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

The bill was read third time and was passed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5. (Same as previous roll call)

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 26 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea: 26
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Johnson moved that Senate Rule 7.18 and the Constitutional Rule requiring bills to be read on three several days be suspended and that CSHB 5616 be placed on its third reading and final passage. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 26 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea: 26
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

CSHB 5616 as amended was passed to third reading by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 26 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Senate May 27, 2025

Yea: 26
Nay: 5
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

Senate journal

Sources

Senator Johnson moved to suspend the regular order of business to take up for consideration CSHB 5616 at this time on its second reading: CSHB 5616, Relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and funding for the program. The motion prevailed by the following vote: Yeas 26, Nays 5.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 26 (published)
Nay: 5 (published)
Present, not voting: Not printed
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

Senate journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 30, 2025

Yea: 90
Nay: 45
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 2
Excused: 11

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 1067

HB 5616 was passed by (Record 1067): 90 Yeas, 45 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 90 (published)
Nay: 45 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 2 (derived from named list)
Excused: 11 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

House Apr 29, 2025

Yea: 101
Nay: 47
Present, not voting: 2
Absent: 0
Excused: 0

Names

Named positions matched to lawmakers. See the journal for unmatched names.

House journal

Sources

Record 933

HB 5616 was passed to engrossment by (Record 933): 101 Yeas, 47 Nays, 2 Present, not voting.

Published stock of positions for this vote, except where marked derived.

Yea: 101 (published)
Nay: 47 (published)
Present, not voting: 2 (published)
Absent: 0 (derived from named list)
Excused: 0 (derived from named list)

House journal. Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

Witnesses1

For: 0
Against: 0
On: 1

Names

On

Texas Historical Commission1 registration

Sources

1 parsed registrations across the loaded witness lists.

Derived stock of witness registrations. Repeated appearances count separately. Organizations and self-representation appear as printed.

House witness list. Source snapshot 2026-10-20, Central time.

Fiscal

No significant fiscal implication to the State is anticipated.

LBB estimate · fiscal note version F · source

Sources

Fiscal note · version F · May 28, 2025

No first-year general revenue figure available here.

LBB published estimates · flow over the stated periods.

Source snapshot 2026-10-19, Central time.

How this was graded

Analysis of text version S by claude-opus-5-5, Oct 22, 2026, against the published rubric.

Sources

Texas House · Filed Mar 14, 2025

06/20/2025 E Effective on 9/1/25

Texas Legislature Online · Introduced · House Committee Report · Engrossed · Senate Committee Report · Enrolled

Data snapshot Nov 1, 2026 at 3:14 PM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.

Coauthors

John H. Bucy IIIDHouse 136

Lulu FloresDHouse 51

Mihaela PlesaDHouse 70

Companion

SB 2993 by Johnson (identical)

Subjects

Historic Preservation & Museums

Libraries & Librarians

State Finances--Management & Control

HISTORICAL COMMISSION, TEXAS

Text

The text as introduced · 455 words

By: Howard
H.B. No. 5616

A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the Texas presidential library promotion program and

fund.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:

SECTION 1. Chapter 442, Government Code, is amended by

adding Subchapter H to read as follows:

SUBCHAPTER H. TEXAS PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY PROMOTION PROGRAM AND

FUND

Sec. 442.301. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter:

(1) "Fund" means the Texas presidential library

promotion fund.

(2) "Commission" means the Texas Historical

Commission.

(2) "Program" means the Texas presidential library

promotion program, administered by the Commission.

Sec. 481.702. TEXAS PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY PROMOTION

PROGRAM. (a) The Commission shall establish the Texas

presidential library promotion program to:

(1) recognize that the presidential libraries in this

state are vital historical and educational resources that attract

visitors from across the country and contribute to this state's

cultural and economic landscape; and

(2) provide funding and support to the presidential

libraries, promote tourism, and educate the public on the

contributions of the presidents from this state.

(b) The program is established to support the following

presidential libraries in this state:

(1) The Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum;

(2) The George Bush Presidential Library and Museum;

and

(3) The George W. Bush Presidential Library and

Museum.

(c) The program shall:

(1) provide financial support to the presidential

libraries for the renovation and enhancement of permanent exhibits;

(2) market and promote the presidential libraries to

increase tourism to and public awareness of the libraries; and

(3) in collaboration with the presidential libraries,

develop a mobile exhibit to be displayed in communities, schools,

and other public institutions that:

(A) features for each president significant

artifacts, multimedia presentations, and educational materials;

and

(B) highlights the historical impact and

legacies of President Lyndon B. Johnson, President George H. W.

Bush, and President George W. Bush.

(d) The Commission may enter into a contract with a

nonprofit entity for the nonprofit entity to administer and operate

the program.

Sec. 442.302. TEXAS PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY PROMOTION FUND.

(a) The Texas presidential library promotion fund is a dedicated

account in the general revenue fund.

(b) The following amounts shall be deposited in the fund:

(1) money appropriated by the legislature to the fund

for the purposes described by this subchapter;

(2) interest earned on the investment of money in the

fund; and

(3) gifts, grants, and other donations received for

the fund.

(c) Money in the fund may be spent for a purpose described by

this subchapter.

SECTION 2. As soon as practicable after the effective date

of this Act, the Commission shall establish the Texas presidential

library promotion program as required by Section 442.301,

Government Code, as added by this Act.

SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2025.

Verdict: Smells

The receipt

SOLD BY

ITEM

WHAT IT DOES

CHARGES

TOTAL

HISTORY

SIGNED FOR BY

Donors

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

Texas Trial Lawyers Association PAC

Texas Association of Nurse Anesthetists Political Action Committee

HDCC Incumbent Protection Fund

House May 29, 2025

Senate May 27, 2025

Senate May 27, 2025

Senate May 27, 2025

Senate May 27, 2025

House Apr 30, 2025

House Apr 29, 2025

On

Companion