Relating to the care, custody, and display of the letter known as the victory or death letter, the Texas Constitution, and the Texas Declaration of Independence.

Protecting and displaying Texas historical documents

Beginning September 1, 2025, the State Preservation Board is responsible for protecting three historic Texas documents, including during storage and display. These are the Texas Constitution, Texas Declaration of Independence, and William B. Travis’s February 24, 1836, “victory or death” letter. The board must work with the Texas Historical Commission and Texas State Library and Archives Commission on secure public displays. The Constitution and Declaration must be displayed at the Capitol Complex, with the letter displayed there until its Alamo transfer. The board must choose an Alamo display site and transfer the letter once the Historical Commission finds it safe and appropriate. The Library and Archives Commission must transfer custody of all three documents to the board when their Capitol displays begin. Working with both commissions, the board must develop and publish a display plan by December 1, 2027. It must also send the plan to legislative committees responsible for historical resources. Only these planning provisions expire September 1, 2031—not the ongoing care and display duties. The board may approve limited-time displays at museums, historical events, or historical sites, working with both commissions. It must pay display costs from money available for that purpose; the law sets no dollar amount.