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SB 217

Relating to establishing the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program; authorizing a fee.

89th Legislature (2025) Introduced by Harold Dutton and 4 co-sponsors

Texas establishes formal Historic Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program to identify, recognize, and fund preservation of burial grounds of formerly enslaved African Americans, effective September 1, 2025.

Effective on 9/1/25
#cemeteries(i0054) #historictexasfreedmen'scemeterydesignationact(pv0jm) #historicalcommission #texas(v0238) #historicpreservation&museums(i0392)
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Bill Summary · SB 217

Legislative bill overview

SB 217 establishes the Historic Texas Freedmen's Cemetery Designation Program, which creates an official designation process for cemeteries associated with formerly enslaved African Americans and their descendants in Texas. The bill authorizes a fee structure to support the program's administrative operations and cemetery preservation efforts.

Why is this important

Freedmen's cemeteries across Texas have historically faced neglect, desecration, and erasure from public records, making formal designation important for preservation, historical documentation, and community recognition. The program provides a framework to identify, protect, and maintain these culturally significant burial grounds while generating dedicated funding for ongoing stewardship.

Potential points of contention

  • Fee structure concerns: The authorization for fees could create barriers for smaller, under-resourced communities seeking designations or struggling to pay for preservation work
  • Implementation details unclear: The bill's effectiveness depends on administrative rules not specified in the legislation itself, raising questions about actual enforcement and standards
  • Limited enforcement mechanisms: Designation alone may not prevent future neglect or desecration without clear legal protections and penalties for cemetery damage

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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