(a) Definitions. The following words and terms, when
used in this section, shall have the following meanings, unless the
context clearly indicates otherwise.
(1) Event--Any performance, ceremony, or presentation
held in the public areas of the Capitol, Capitol Extension, or on
the Capitol Grounds.
(2) Public areas of Capitol and Capitol Extension--The
hallways, entrances, rotundas, other areas adjacent to and near the
rotunda, central gallery, state seal court.
(3) Public purpose--The promotion of the public health,
education, safety, morals, general welfare, security, and prosperity
of all of the inhabitants or residents within the state, the sovereign
powers of which are exercised to promote such public purpose or public
business. The chief test of what constitutes a public purpose is that
the public generally must have a direct interest in the purpose and
the community at large is to be benefitted. This does not include
activities which promote a specific viewpoint or issue and could be
considered lobbying. Political rallies, receptions, and campaign activities
are prohibited in the public areas of the Capitol and Capitol Extension.
(4) State official sponsor--The Governor, the Lieutenant
Governor, the Speaker of the Texas House of Representatives, a Texas
Senator, or a member of the Texas House of Representatives.
(b) Fee for use of Capitol or Capitol Extension. A
fee is required from persons or entities that use the Capitol or Capitol
Extension for an event or other scheduled activity. The fee is in
an amount set by the office of the State Preservation Board designed
to recover the estimated direct and indirect costs to the state for
the event, including the costs of labor, materials, and utilities
directly or indirectly attributable to the event. The fee is required
in the office of the State Preservation Board no later than 24 hours
prior to the event or other scheduled activity.
(c) Event Approval Criteria for Capitol and Capitol
Extension.
(1) Events shall be approved and scheduled by the office
of the State Preservation Board upon the recommendation of a state
official sponsor as described in subsection (a)(4) of this section.
(2) Events must be for a public purpose as defined
in subsection (a)(3) of this section.
(3) Requests must be submitted on forms provided by
the State Preservation Board and be accompanied by:
(A) a detailed description of the event, including
equipment and props to be used, and anticipated length and scope;
(B) a brief statement of the purpose of the event;
(C) the area in the Capitol or Capitol Extension being
requested;
(D) a list of all electrical equipment and power requirements
for each piece of equipment;
(E) a recommendation from the state official sponsor
as described in subsection (a)(4) of this section.
(4) Incomplete requests will not be considered.
(5) Events in the Capitol or Capitol Extension should
not exceed 45 minutes in length.
(6) Performances in the Capitol rotunda are allowed
only between 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m.
(7) Events will not be approved if they:
(A) have no obvious public purpose;
(B) are determined by the office of the State Preservation
Board to be inappropriate to the historical setting of the Capitol
or Capitol Extension;
(C) promote a commercial enterprise;
(D) obstruct entrances or interrupt traffic flow through
the building;
(E) have the potential to cause damage to state property
(including, but not limited to, the Capitol's exterior walls, interior
walls, doors, windows, woodwork, or floors);
(F) obstruct the view of or access to fire-fighting
equipment, fire alarm pull stations, or fire hydrants;
(G) involve the use of any flammable, hazardous, or
odorous chemicals or materials, torches, candles, or other open-flame
illuminating devices or fire, or are determined to be a fire hazard
by the Capitol Fire Marshal;
(H) involve use of signs or placards attached to objects
that might cause damage to the Capitol, Capitol Extension or Capitol
Grounds.
(8) Events may not interfere with any legislative session
or regular use of the Capitol or Capitol Extension for transaction
of state business.
(9) Sound equipment, chairs, podiums, or other equipment
ordinarily required for ceremonies, presentations, or performances
may be used only with prior approval by the office of the State Preservation
Board, and shall be furnished by the requesting party. Installation
approval is subject to inspection.
(10) The State of Texas, the State Preservation Board,
or any employee of the State Preservation Board are not liable for
any injury which may occur to any person during events.
(11) All art, photographic exhibits, banners, streamers,
or posters, used during an event must be on freestanding displays.
Such materials may not be hung from walls or railings.
(12) Fund-raising on the premises is not allowed unless
the fund-raising directly benefits the Capitol, Capitol Extension
or Capitol Grounds, or unless it is part of the gubernatorial inaugural,
or a similar event approved by the board, and the funds are used to
help defray the costs of the event.
(13) With the exception of businesses authorized by
the State Preservation Board, vendors and/or the promotion of a commercial
enterprise involving the exchange of money are prohibited.
(14) Security requirements other than that routinely
provided by Capitol police are the responsibility of the organizers;
however, the office of the State Preservation Board must approve any
additional security arrangements.
(d) Scheduling Events in the Capitol and Capitol Extension.
(1) No more than two events will be scheduled for either
the Capitol, Capitol Extension or Capitol Grounds in one working day.
(2) A written request to schedule an event must be
received by the office of the State Preservation Board no later than
one week before the date requested.
(e) General provisions. Upon completion of the event,
organizers will be held responsible for clean-up of the area. State
Preservation Board will conduct an inspection of the area to determine
whether it was adequately cleaned. The organizer(s) will be responsible
for the costs of any additional clean-up or damage repair. The organizer(s)
may be present at this inspection by contacting the office of the
State Preservation Board.
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