HB 5032 Texas House · 89th Legislature (2025)

Relating to the display of certain historical state documents.

This bill requires the Texas Capitol Preservation Commission to develop a plan by December 1, 2027, for displaying three specific historical documents in the Capitol Complex: Colonel Travis's 1836 Alamo letter, the Texas Declaration of Independence, and the Texas Constitution. The plan must be published online and shared with relevant legislative committees. The requirement expires September 1, 2031, and the bill takes effect September 1, 2025. It is a procedural measure focused on document display, not substantive policy change.
Bill status passed 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Apr 2025
Committee Review
May 2025
House Passage
May 2025
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Apr 3, 2025 Last action May 12, 2025
Maddy AI version diff · 1 comparison

What changed between versions

Introduced Engrossed · 5 edits · May 6, 2025
MODERATE
The bill was substantially rewritten to add two new sections (441.206 and 441.207) that mandate the secure display of the Texas Constitution, Texas Declaration of Independence, and the Victory or Death letter. The original version only required developing a plan to display these documents, while the new version requires immediate designation of display locations, funding allocation, and specific timelines for implementation.
Scope change
The bill's scope expanded from a planning requirement to include mandatory display obligations, specific funding sources, and temporary display authorization for historical events.
REQUIREMENT

Added requirement to designate specific secure display locations for the Texas Constitution and Declaration of Independence in the Capitol Complex.

Added new section establishing care, custody, and display requirements specifically for the Victory or Death letter at the Alamo complex.

Added authority to temporarily display documents at historical events or sites for limited periods.

FISCAL

Added requirement that display costs be paid from available commission funds or appropriated funds.

TIMELINE

Maintained December 1, 2027 deadline for developing and publishing display plans, with expiration date of September 1, 2031.

Floor votes · House May 6, 2025

How they voted

1460
Passed
Total votes 146
May 6, 2025
D Democratic59
59 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican87
87 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
29
Key actions
9
Committee
8
Amendments
2
May 12, 2025
Upper · Passed
Left pending in committee
upper
May 7, 2025
Committee
Referred to Economic Development
upper
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
upper
May 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from the House
upper
May 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed to engrossment as amended
lower
May 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Amended
lower
Apr 23, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report sent to Calendars
lower
Apr 22, 2025
Lower · Passed
Committee report distributed
lower
Apr 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
Reported favorably as substituted
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Left pending in committee
lower
Apr 8, 2025
Lower · Passed
Testimony taken/registration(s) recorded in committee
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Committee
Referred to Culture, Recreation & Tourism
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced
Read first time
lower
6 primary · 1 co-sponsor

Sponsors