(a) The commission adopts the following criteria governing evaluation for approval or rejection of applications for Official Texas Historical Markers, Recorded Texas Historic Landmarks (RTHLs), or Historic Texas Cemetery designations.
  (1) Age: Structures eligible for the RTHL designation and marker must be at least 50 years old. Older structures may be awarded additional weight in evaluation and scoring.
  (2) Historical significance/Architectural Significance: The Texas Historical Commission's Division of Architecture evaluates applications for RTHL designations, which are awarded to properties which demonstrate architectural and historical significance and architectural and historical integrity. Architectural significance alone is not enough to qualify a structure for the RTHL designation. It must have an equally significant historical association, and that association can come from an event that occurred at the site; through individuals who owned or lived on the property; or, in the case of bridges, industrial plants, schoolhouses and other non-residential properties, through documented significance to the larger community. Structures deemed architecturally significant are outstanding examples of architectural history through design, materials, structural type or construction methods. In all cases, eligible architectural properties must display integrity; that is, the structure should be in a good state of repair, maintain its appearance from its period of significance and be considered an exemplary model of preservation. Architectural significance is often best determined by the relevance of the property to broader contexts, including geography. Any changes over the years should be compatible with original design and reflect compliance with accepted preservation practices, e.g., the Secretary of the Interior's Standards for Rehabilitation.
  (3) State of repair/Integrity: Structures not considered by the commission to be in a good state of repair are not eligible for RTHL designation. The commission reserves the sole right to make that determination relative to eligibility for RTHL markers. Subject marker topics placed at the appropriate site help maintain site integrity. Topics properly documented and understood by the public also help maintain a high degree of integrity.
  (4) Diversity of topic for addressing gaps in historical marker program. This criterion addresses the extent to which topic relates to an aspect or area of Texas history that has not been well represented by the marker program.
  (5) Value of topic as an undertold or untold aspect of Texas history. This criterion addresses the extent to which topic addresses undertold facets of Texas history and increases the diversity of history and cultures interpreted through the marker program.
  (6) Endangerment level of property, site or topic. This criterion addresses the extent to which the property (RTHLs), site or story is in danger of being lost if its history and significance are not documented through the marker program.
  (7) Available documentation and resources. This criterion addresses the quality and balance of the research and documentation for the application.
  (8) Diversity among this group of candidates. This criterion addresses the extent to which this topic represents an undertold story of Texas history among the applications received during that year's marker cycle.
  (9) Relevance to other commission programs. This criterion addresses the extent to which the topic coordinates with other significant programs and initiatives of the agency.
  (10) Relevance to the commission's current thematic priorities. This criterion addresses the extent to which the topic coordinates with the thematic priorities set by the commission each year (varies by year).
(b) Applications and topics with exceptional significance directly address established statewide themes, promote undertold stories of Texas history and have exceptional ability to educate the public on aspects of Texas history not fully addressed by the marker program. Applications and topics with high significance address statewide themes, promote undertold stories of Texas history and have some ability to educate the public on aspects of Texas history not fully addressed by the marker program. Applications and topics that meet requirements have been found to fulfill the basic application requirements and guidelines, relate to statewide themes but do not necessarily directly address topics that have not been widely addressed by the marker program. Applications and topics deemed not eligible do not relate to statewide themes and/or do not meet the basic program application requirements and guidelines. All markers must relate to the statewide themes established by the commission. These themes are available on the commission's web site at www.thc.texas.gov. From time to time the commission may establish thematic priorities for the marker program. Additional points will be awarded to projects falling within these priorities.
(c) The scoring system for ranking applications is as follows:
  (1) Age - 5 pts. max;
  (2) Historical Significance/Architectural Significance - 10 pts. max;
  (3) State of Repair/Integrity - 10 pts. max;
  (4) Diversity of topic for addressing gaps in historical marker program - 10 pts. max;
  (5) Value of topic as an undertold or untold aspect of Texas history - 15 pts. max;
  (6) Endangerment level of property, site or topic - 10 pts. max;
  (7) Available documentation and resources - 10 pts. max;
  (8) Diversity among this group of candidates - 10 pts. max;
  (9) Relevance to other commission programs - 5 pts. max; and
  (10) Relevance to the commission's current thematic priorities - 15 pts. max.

Source Note: The provisions of this §21.9 adopted to be effective August 28, 2003, 28 TexReg 6814; amended to be effective May 18, 2009, 34 TexReg 2949; amended to be effective December 5, 2012, 37 TexReg 2949; amended to be effective January 2, 2018, 42 TexReg 7684; amended to be effective August 23, 2018, 43 TexReg 5361