| (a) Documents, records, or historical artifacts, hereafter
collectively referred to as historical items, may be identified for
potential purchase by any person and brought to the attention of the
commission.
(b) Only historical items that represent a unique opportunity
to preserve the cultural heritage of Texas will be considered for
acquisition. Historical artifacts, records, and documents recommended
for acquisition will be researched for authenticity and appropriateness
of acquisition, by the staff of the commission, or consultants contracted
by the commission for this purpose. Staff will make a recommendation
to the commission.
(c) The commission will review the recommendation for
the acquisition of historical items, including the staff findings
and comments, and will make a final decision to proceed or to not
proceed with the acquisition. Commission review can occur at a regularly
called meeting or by special meeting as called by the chair of the
commission.
(d) In cases of emergency acquisition, the executive
director, in consultation with the chair, may make a final decision
to proceed or to not proceed with an acquisition of historical items.
The decision shall be reported by the chair at the next regularly
scheduled meeting of the commission. The commission will not purchase
items of questionable origin.
(e) The commission will decide if a museum or repository
will receive the acquired historical items. Acquisitions may also
be made by the commission for historical items to be maintained at
the commission's headquarters. For materials not housed at the commission's
headquarters, held-in-trust agreements will be executed between the
receiving museum or repository and the commission to insure the safety
and long-term care of the historical items. Exceptions to the certification
requirement may be considered by the commission on a case-by-case
basis.
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