HB 576 — STATE DEPARTMENT: Transfers the Old Governor's Mansion to the Department of State (EN NO IMPACT See Note)

Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscoredIf arevetoed additions.bythe governorand subsequentlyapprovedbythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.

HLSSPEAKER 26RS-1098OF ENGROSSEDTHE HBHOUSE NO.OF REPRESENTATIVES PRESIDENT OF THE SENATE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF LOUISIANA APPROVED:

576Page by5 the governor, as provided by Article III, Section 18 of the5 ConstitutionCODING: of Louisiana.

If vetoed bythe governorand subsequentlyapproved bythe legislature, this Act shall become effective on the dayfollowing such approval.

DIGEST ThedigestprintedbelowwaspreparedbyHouseLegislative Services.

It constitutes nopart of the legislative instrument.

The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent.

[R.S.

1:13(B) and 24:177(E)] HB 576 Engrossed 2026 Regular Session Gadberry Abstract:

Transfers the Old Governor's Mansion to the Dept.

of State.

Present law (R.S.

49:141(A)) creates that Division of State Buildings in the office of the governor.

Provides that the division is administered by a superintendent of state buildings appointed by the governor.

Provides that the superintendent shall have charge of the management, operation, and maintenanceof generalpublic buildings ofthestate, including both the old and new governor's mansions.

Proposed law removes the Old Governor's Mansion from its inclusion among the general public buildings of the state that are under the jurisdiction of the superintendent of the Division of State Buildings.

Otherwise retains present law.

Present law (R.S.

49:141(B)) provides that the Division of State Buildings shall have custody and supervision of maintenance of the Old Governor's Mansion with its buildings and improvements.

Provides that the superintendent of state buildings shall maintain the building and grounds with money appropriated by the legislature for such purposes.

Proposed law repeals present law.

Presentlaw(R.S.49:141(C))providesforthemanagementandcontrolofthepropertyofthe Old Governor's Mansion by the commissioner of administration.

Authorizes the commissioner to transfer custody, supervision, and general administrative control to any public agency or non-profit corporation with sufficient resources to preserve the mansion and its contents.

Proposed law repeals present law.

Proposed law establishes the Old Governor's Mansion under the overall jurisdiction of the Dept.

of State.

Provides that the secretary of state shall have custody, control, and supervisionofmaintenanceofthebuildinganditscontents,includingallofitsmanagement, functions, programs, and operations.

Provides that the secretary shall have full authority over the building's grounds and all other buildings and improvements constructed thereon.

Provides that title to the Old Governor's Mansion remains in the State of La., along with all buildings and other improvements constructed thereon.

Proposed law provides that the Old Governor's Mansion shall function as a historical, cultural,andeducationalinstitution with a primarypurpose to collect,preserve,andpresent documents,artifacts,andobjectsofartthatreflectthepolitics,history,art,andcultureofLa.

Proposed law authorizes the secretary of state to enter into contracts and agreements with public agencies or nonprofit corporations that are established for the primary purpose of supporting the programs and activities of the Old Governor's Mansion for the creation of offices, stores, or exhibits on the property of and within the building.

Authorizes the secretary to enter into contracts and agreements for joint construction, equipment, maintenance,and financingthereof,and forthejoint financing,supervision, and conduct of Page 6 of 7 CODING:

Wordsinstruckthroughtypearedeletionsfromexistinglaw;wordsunderscored are additions.

HLS 26RS-1098 ENGROSSED HB NO.

576 cooperative enterprises and undertakings.

Authorizes any public agency to enter into contracts and agreements with the secretaryfor such purposes.

Proposed law requires the legislature to provide sufficient funds for the proper operation of theOldGovernor'sMansion.

AuthorizestheDept.ofStatetotemporarilyclosethebuilding to the public until the legislature is able to appropriate sufficient funds for its operation.

Requires the department to maintain the building during any period of temporaryclosure.

Proposed law authorizes the secretary of state to solicit and accept funds, governmental grants, donations.

Authorizes the secretary to accept contributions of lands, buildings, monies, relics, works of art, or other property on behalf of and as additions to the Old Governor's Mansion in the form of loans or donations.

Authorizes the secretaryto acquire suchloansordonations bypurchase,lease, orotherwise,subjectto theterms,conditions, or limitations contained in the loan or donation agreement by which the property is acquired.

Authorizesthesecretaryto enter into anycontracts with anyperson,lender,ordonorthathe deems fit, proper, and necessary to accept and receive such property on behalf of and as additions to the Old Governor's Mansion.

Proposed law provides that the Old Governor's Mansion is authorized to serve as the beneficiary of any public trust created pursuant to present law.

Proposed law grants the secretary of state the authority of deaccession with respect to any collections of the Old Governor's Mansion.

Exempts the secretary, for such purposes, from the laws of the state relative to the sale or disposal of surplus property.

Requires the secretary to establish policies and procedures necessaryto carry out this authority.

ProposedlawprovidesaprocedureforacquiringpropertydepositedwiththeOldGovernor's Mansion, by loan or otherwise, which has been in its possession for more than 10 years without claim.

Proposed law authorizes, subject to approval bythe secretaryof state, the collections of the Old Governor's Mansion to be lent in part.

Requires the secretary to ensure proper safeguards for the maintenance and return of such collections and to ensure that proper records of such lending are kept.

(Amends R.S.

49:141;

Adds R.S.

25:380.161- 380.166) Summary of Amendments Adopted by House The Committee Amendments Proposed by House Committee on House and Governmental Affairs to the original bill:

1.

Make technical changes.

2.

Provide that the title to the Old Governor's Mansion shall remain in the state of La., along with all buildings and other improvements constructed thereon.

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