The Texas Historical Commission (THC) administers a variety of federal and state reviews of undertakings that affect historic property. The Project Review pages of this website will provide an overview of the various roles of THC staff within the regulatory process. For information specifically about the role of a County Historical Commission (CHC) within these reviews, refer to Section 6 of the CHC Handbook.
While it is important to learn more about the various local, state, and federal laws and policies that impact historic property, CHCs are not expected to have a ready recollection of these matters. Use the CHC Handbook as a reference when exploring issues associated with regulatory concerns and contact THC regulatory reviewers to discuss particular situations.
We encourage CHCs to contact the THC if historic properties are at risk or could be affected by potential development. THC staff can provide guidance on your role, as a CHC appointee or as a public citizen, and explain how to become involved in the process. They can also explain any limitations that may exist with state review authority. Photo at left shows THC Historian, Linda Henderson, explaining the federal Section 106 project to CHCs at a regional workshop in Eastland.
CHC State Statutes
The Texas Legislature authorized counties to establish County Historical Commissions (CHC) to assist county commissioners courts and the Texas Historical Commission (THC) in the preservation of each county’s historic and cultural resources. CHC duties are set forth in detail in Texas’ Local Government Code, Chapter 318.
These statutes are the first line of defense when navigating challenges for CHCs. The statutes set CHCs apart from preservation nonprofits by establishing a CHC's connection to local and state government. The Distinguished Service Award, given by the THC to CHCs uses the CHC statutes as a foundation for determining standards of performance and award criteria. By embracing the variety of work approved within the statutes, CHCs can become a substantial force to save Texas history.
CHC Appointments
County commissioners courts make CHC appointments in January of odd-numbered years, securing a two-year term commitment. A minimum of seven county residents should be appointed; after this minimum is met there is no size limit or residency requirement unless established in a CHC’s bylaws. The THC recommends that counties appoint a number appropriate to handle effectively the work assigned to the CHC. According to CHC reporting, the statewide average is 22 appointees per CHC.
If you are interested in being appointed to a CHC, please contact your county judge and/or your county commissioners; appointments are determined by your county commissioners court. The CHC Outreach Program has provided a sample Request for CHC Appointment document so that individuals can convey their interest and value to their county. CHC Outreach also created a CHC Appointee Criteria flyer; among those criteria are the following:
- Be willing and able to participate in projects and meetings
- Have a positive attitude when working with others
- Pursue a diverse interpretation of county history
- Field history-related inquiries from THC staff and the public
- Conduct site visits and report site conditions to the THC
CHC Bylaws
Effective CHCs conduct business in an appropriate and orderly manner. While the CHC statutes provide an overview of CHC work, CHC should establish a set of rules (bylaws) for its own regulation. Bylaws should cover at least the following aspects of the CHC:
- Name of county
- Purpose or objectives of CHC
- Membership qualifications and types (voting, advisory, ex-officio)
- Meetings (how often and attendance requirements)
- Officers and their duties
- Method of selecting officers
- Committees and their duties
- Method of reporting activities to county, partners, and THC
- Parliamentary procedures
- Method of amending bylaws
Once a CHC has adopted bylaws, the county commissioners court should ratify them. Bylaw language should be reviewed by your county commissioners court to help ensure that the document addresses county policies appropriately rather than containing governance clauses typically associated with nonprofit organizations. Bylaws should be tailored to fit your CHC structure and to address your county’s needs as they pertain to the preservation of historic and cultural resources.
Sample bylaws are currently being updated and will be posted in the coming year.
