Texas State Library and Archives Commission

Final Results of Last Sunset Review

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• Continue the Texas State Library and Archives Commission (TSLAC) for 12 years.  

State Archives Management

• Require TSLAC to develop a strategic plan for managing the state archives, with targets for processing the backlog, analyzing staffing needs, and regularly reporting on progress.
• Authorize TSLAC to distinguish between different types of information requests to better manage archives workload.
• Direct TSLAC to adopt a fee schedule for PIA requests.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Records Management

• Remove the requirement for TSLAC to approve local government records retention schedules, but require local governments to self-certify compliance with state retention schedules and submit records management information to TSLAC.  
• Authorize TSLAC to transfer custody of certain local records to local institutions.
• Define legislative records as records created or received by the office of a legislator or the lieutenant governor during their term of office and exempt these records from the state archives program.  
• Designate the Legislative Reference Library as the depository for current legislators’ records and require the library to manage legislative records and respond to Public Information Act requests according to statutory requirements.  Require the library to protect privileged and confidential legislative records from disclosure, as directed by the Legislature.  Specify that the legislative entity that transferred records to the library retains ownership of the records.
• Require TSLAC to transfer physical custody and legal ownership of all legislative records to the Legislative Reference Library by September 1, 2020.
• Direct TSLAC to create a working group for legislative records issues.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TSLAC to gather customer input and regularly update the minimum state records retention schedule, including assessing any changes from the 86th Legislature and establishing a working group of state agency records management officers to help update and adopt a new schedule by April 1, 2020.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Grants

• Direct TSLAC to prohibit grant reviewers from applying for grants in the same categories they score.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TSLAC to openly solicit peer grant reviewers.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TSLAC to adjust grant award criteria and scoring to better disperse grant funding to a wider pool of libraries.  (Management action – nonstatutory)
• Direct TSLAC to identify and coordinate with other state agencies to promote the agency’s grant programs to increase participation among libraries across the state.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Program Support

• Authorize TSLAC to use its current resources, including general revenue, grant funds, gift funds, and federal funding if permitted, to advertise the agency’s programs.
• Authorize TSLAC to sell replicas of archival materials held in the state archives and approved for sale by the commission, with funds received to be used for preservation, digitization, archives information services, and education operations.  As a management action, direct Sunset staff to work with the Texas Legislative Council to ensure statute dedicates the funds from these sales for TSLAC’s use.  Also request the appropriative committees to consider adding a rider for TSLAC to retain proceeds from these sales.1   
• Direct TSLAC to work with the Texas Historical Commission, Texas State Preservation Board, Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, and General Land Office to explore options for new curatorial space at TSLAC’s Shoal Creek location.  (Management action – nonstatutory)

Governance

• Update the standard across-the-board requirement related to commission member training.
• Authorize the commission to establish advisory committees in rule as needed. 

State Records Center Easement

• Require the General Land Office to grant a permanent easement to the City of Austin in the property where TSLAC operates the State Records Center.  Establish the terms of the easement, including requiring the City of Austin to use the easement primarily to promote a public purpose of the state by using it as a sidewalk, trail, and recreation easement.