GLO and preservation board outline complex transition to Alamo Commission, transfer set for 2028

The committee reviewed implementation of SB 3059, which creates a five-member Alamo Commission and provides for an administrative attachment to the State Preservation Board. Jeff Gordon, general counsel for the Texas General Land Office, said SB 3059 is effective 09/01/2027 and requires an orderly MOU-based transition so that no later than 01/01/2028 the commission will receive powers, duties, contracts, appropriations and property currently administered by GLO.

Gordon and Rod Welch described many active, large-scale construction projects at the Alamo site and cautioned that transferring oversight and funding in the middle of major work will require careful coordination, contract review and an SAO audit. David Repp (GLO CFO) provided a financial snapshot: "there's about $71,000,000 unobligated from all the appropriations combined," and estimated unobligated balances would decline to under $10'15 million as bills are paid out. Project manager George Jaramillo gave construction completion windows stretching into 2028'2029 for the visitor center, church restoration and plaza work, and said permitting and design-team changes have pushed later milestones.

Members asked for a detailed inventory of contracts, an FTE plan for administrative support to the commission, and for further collaboration between GLO and the State Preservation Board on financial handoff, procurement and asset/inventory transfer. Officials committed to continue meetings, provide written materials and coordinate closely to enable a smooth transfer without interrupting active restoration projects.