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Preservation Board: $220 million endowment consolidated; $3.5M for museum ranching exhibit added
Summary
The State Preservation Board told the committee the legislative consolidation of three funds now holds more than $220 million and that $3.5 million was included in recommended funding to renovate the ranching exhibit at the Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum.
AUSTIN — The State Preservation Board briefed the Senate Finance Committee on Feb. 11 about capital projects under its custodial care and a new endowment created to fund preservation and repairs for state properties.
LBB told the committee Senate Bill 1333 consolidated three existing funds into the Texas State Buildings Preservation Endowment Fund; the fund held $220.9 million as of Aug. 31, with an additional $11.4 million transferred after that date. LBB reported agency requests removed several one‑time capital projects from the base and that the board is managing ongoing projects and museum needs.
Executive Director Rod Welch said the agency’s LAR includes one exceptional item for increased IT support costs tied to interagency contracts, and he thanked the committee for inclusion of $3.5 million in the museum strategy to renovate the museum’s ranching exhibit — an update the board said was overdue after nearly 24 years.
The board noted that the capital fund and the museum fund are outside the treasury for specific purposes; LBB listed balances and flagged the transfer of $100 million in coronavirus recovery funds managed by a separate custodial account. The Preservation Board said renovation plans will emphasize new interpretation and educational content for the museum’s student visitors.
Committee members asked about project timelines for roof work at the Capitol and scaffold removal; Preservation Board staff said major roof activities should be substantially complete by May–June with finishing work continuing into the summer and early fall.
No committee votes took place on the Preservation Board presentation. The board will continue to provide project updates and to work with the legislature on distribution of endowment proceeds to capital projects under its care.
