(a) The commission is hereby designated to administer the Federal National Historic Preservation Act of 1966 and any amendments thereto and is authorized and empowered to prepare, maintain, and keep up to date a statewide comprehensive historic preservation plan.
(b) The governor of Texas, in accordance with Texas Government Code, Chapter 442, §442.005, has designated the executive director of the Texas Historical Commission as the state historic preservation officer, or state liaison officer of Texas.
(c) The National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, as amended, established the principal responsibilities of the state historic preservation officer for each state, which are:
  (1) in cooperation with federal and state agencies, local governments, and private organizations and individuals, direct and conduct a comprehensive statewide survey of historic properties and maintain inventories of such properties;
  (2) identify and nominate eligible properties to the National Register and otherwise administer applications for listing historic properties on the national register;
  (3) prepare and implement a comprehensive statewide historic preservation plan;
  (4) administer the state program of federal assistance for historic preservation within the state;
  (5) advise and assist, as appropriate, federal and state agencies and local governments in carrying out their historic preservation responsibilities;
  (6) cooperate with the secretary, the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation, and other federal and state agencies, local governments, and organizations and individuals to ensure that historic properties are taken into consideration at all levels of planning and development;
  (7) provide public information, education and training, and technical assistance relating to the federal and state historic preservation programs; and
  (8) cooperate with local governments in the development of local historic preservation programs and assist local governments in becoming certified.

Source Note: The provisions of this §15.1 adopted to be effective December 31, 1984, 9 TexReg 6315; amended to be effective June 6, 1988, 13 TexReg 2551.