Summary
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The Asset Management Division of the General Land Office was created in 1985 to manage the public lands of the state of Texas for the benefit of the Permanent School Fund. Asset Management Records consist of state land reports, meeting minutes, correspondence, publications, maps, pamphlets, land patents, and questionnaires.
Biographical Note
Before its creation in 1985, various state agencies performed the duties of the Asset Management Division of the General Land Office. In 1961, House Simple Resolution (HSR) No. 726, Acts of the 57th Legislature, created an interim House Land Study Committee, which was comprised of five State Representatives and the Land Commissioner (acting as an ex-officio member). The House Land Study Committee was created for the purpose of studying “all laws governing the sale and acquisition of rights and interest in State-owned lands or islands by companies, corporations or individuals;” upon completing its investigations, the committee would present a report to the Legislature which would include “recommendations for legislation, along with any information the Committee feels should be called to the attention of the Legislature.”
Beginning in the 1970s, the Texas Antiquities Committee, of which the Commissioner was also a member, evaluated the historical and archeological value of Texas’ public lands, designating state historical/archeological sites and protecting them from development. Within the General Land Office, the Planning, Energy Resources, Land Resources, Field Operations, Uplands, and Coastal Operations divisions all performed functions that would later become the responsibility of Asset Management. The School Land Board, of which the Commissioner is a member, also performed functions later done by Asset Management.
In 1985, Senate Bill 43 of the 69th Texas Legislature created the Asset Management Division of the General Land Office. Under this bill, Asset Management was charged with evaluating the “real property inventory of each state agency not less than every four years and shall conduct a review during the year before an agency is scheduled for abolition under the Sunset Act.” Furthermore, “if the legislature authorizes a real estate transaction involving real property owned by the state, the division shall take control of the property and complete the transaction on behalf of the state.” Real estate transactions involve either acquisition or disposition. Disposition occurs in the form of sealed bid sales, land trades, direct sales, or a combination of the three. Asset Management also conducts block ups, which consolidate scattered lands into a single, more easily-manageable tract; block ups most often occur where land ownership alternates between state-owned and private land (generally railroad), creating a “checkerboard” pattern. The General Land Office also provides leases and easements on state-owned land to companies and private individuals. Revenue produced by Asset Management supplements the Available School Fund.
Scope and Content
Beginning in the 1970s, the Texas Antiquities Committee, of which the Commissioner was also a member, evaluated the historical and archeological value of Texas’ public lands, designating state historical/archeological sites and protecting them from development. Within the General Land Office, the Planning, Energy Resources, Land Resources, Field Operations, Uplands, and Coastal Operations divisions all performed functions that would later become the responsibility of Asset Management. The School Land Board, of which the Commissioner is a member, also performed functions later done by Asset Management.
In 1985, Senate Bill 43 of the 69th Texas Legislature created the Asset Management Division of the General Land Office. Under this bill, Asset Management was charged with evaluating the “real property inventory of each state agency not less than every four years and shall conduct a review during the year before an agency is scheduled for abolition under the Sunset Act.” Furthermore, “if the legislature authorizes a real estate transaction involving real property owned by the state, the division shall take control of the property and complete the transaction on behalf of the state.” Real estate transactions involve either acquisition or disposition. Disposition occurs in the form of sealed bid sales, land trades, direct sales, or a combination of the three. Asset Management also conducts block ups, which consolidate scattered lands into a single, more easily-manageable tract; block ups most often occur where land ownership alternates between state-owned and private land (generally railroad), creating a “checkerboard” pattern. The General Land Office also provides leases and easements on state-owned land to companies and private individuals. Revenue produced by Asset Management supplements the Available School Fund.
Reports, minutes, correspondence, publications, maps, pamphlets, land patents, and questionnaires document the activities performed by, and preceding the creation of, the Asset Management Division of the Texas General Land Office.
The collection consists primarily of reports written by Asset Management to the legislature and the governor evaluating the property value of state lands and offering recommendations to maximize their revenue-generating potential. Also well documented are reports created by and for the General Land Office assessing the historical/archeological value of state lands.
The activities of the House Land Study Committee, which was active from 1961-1963, are documented through correspondence, meeting minutes, and its final report to the 58th Legislature. There are gaps in correspondence and meeting minutes. The House Land Study Committee correspondence series includes pamphlets, memoranda, reproductions of draft maps, a survey, questionnaires, several land patents, and a deed which are mostly stored in the Oversized Separated Mateials Box.
The Navigation District folder contains information on Texas's navigation districts, including lists of addresses, correspondence, questionnaires, and maps.
The Agency Information series contains detailed information on the goals and procedures of Asset Management. Of note in the House Land Study Committee correspondence and meeting minutes sub-series is a dispute between the state of Texas, the city of Port Arthur, and Lakefront Trust, Inc concerning proper land use. Notable correspondents include Attorney General Will Wilson and Commissioner Jerry Sadler.
Date
The collection consists primarily of reports written by Asset Management to the legislature and the governor evaluating the property value of state lands and offering recommendations to maximize their revenue-generating potential. Also well documented are reports created by and for the General Land Office assessing the historical/archeological value of state lands.
The activities of the House Land Study Committee, which was active from 1961-1963, are documented through correspondence, meeting minutes, and its final report to the 58th Legislature. There are gaps in correspondence and meeting minutes. The House Land Study Committee correspondence series includes pamphlets, memoranda, reproductions of draft maps, a survey, questionnaires, several land patents, and a deed which are mostly stored in the Oversized Separated Mateials Box.
The Navigation District folder contains information on Texas's navigation districts, including lists of addresses, correspondence, questionnaires, and maps.
The Agency Information series contains detailed information on the goals and procedures of Asset Management. Of note in the House Land Study Committee correspondence and meeting minutes sub-series is a dispute between the state of Texas, the city of Port Arthur, and Lakefront Trust, Inc concerning proper land use. Notable correspondents include Attorney General Will Wilson and Commissioner Jerry Sadler.
1960-2014
Extent
4.67 Linear feet (9 document boxes and 1 oversized box)
Language
English
Arrangement
These records are arranged in six series:
Division Information, (1986-1989), .75 boxes
State Land Reports, (1973-2003), 6.75 boxes
Land Acquisition/Disposition, (1977-1986) .25 boxes
Publicity/Press, (2009), 1 folder
House Land Study Committee, (1960-1963), 1.25 boxes
Oversized Separated Materials (1962), 1 box
Preferred Citation
Division Information, (1986-1989), .75 boxes
State Land Reports, (1973-2003), 6.75 boxes
Land Acquisition/Disposition, (1977-1986) .25 boxes
Publicity/Press, (2009), 1 folder
House Land Study Committee, (1960-1963), 1.25 boxes
Oversized Separated Materials (1962), 1 box
Asset Management Records (AMR). Archives and Records Program, Texas General Land Office, Austin.
Access Restrictions
Unrestricted access.
Use Restrictions
Most records created by Texas state agencies are not copyrighted and may be freely used in any way. State records also include materials received by, not created by, state agencies. Copyright remains with the creator. The researcher is responsible for complying with U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17 U.S.C.).