(a) Commemorative naming refers to the naming of a property or some component of a property for an individual or civic or charitable group in recognition of outstanding achievement, distinctive service, or significant community contribution, generally without financial consideration.
(b) The term "civic or charitable group" shall mean a nonprofit entity, family or group that has made a substantial contribution to the state or community, either through civic involvement, through involvement in historic events relevant to a specific State Historic Site, or through an in-kind donation to support a specific State Historic Site. For-profit entities shall not be considered civic or charitable groups for purposes of this section.
(c) Only non-historic features at State Historic Sites may be named pursuant to these rules, such as new visitor centers, meeting rooms, theaters, galleries, plazas, and other similar features designed for public use.
(d) The Executive Director and the Deputy Executive Director for Historic Sites shall have the authority to independently review and recommend commemorative naming proposals to the Commission for final approval.
(e) Any proposal for commemorative naming shall be made in writing and shall include sufficient explanation to enable the Commission to make a determination that the request is justified and complies with this policy.
(f) In reaching its decision, the Commission shall consider the proposed name, any contributions the individual or organization has made to the state of Texas, whether or not the local community supports the proposal, and, in the case of individuals, whether or not the person's surviving family supports the proposal.
(g) Commemorative naming may not reference any person not deceased for at least five years.
(h) Commemorative renaming of existing named facilities is discouraged.
(i) The Commission shall have the authority to rescind the naming of any property or component of any property if, in the Commission's opinion, the individual, civic or charitable group is found to have participated in any behavior which would have a negative impact on the site or agency or would discredit the work of the agency in any way.

Source Note: The provisions of this §16.10 adopted to be effective August 31, 2015, 40 TexReg 5457