Arkansas § 13-7-205 - Powers and duties.

§ 13-7-205. Powers and duties.

The Old State House Commission shall: Take over all records, files, books, and papers in the custody or control of persons with custody or control of sites, buildings, and objects which are marked for preservation for historical purposes in charge of the commission; Secure, collate, and preserve drawings, plans, photographs, and other data of historic sites, buildings, and objects; Make surveys of historic sites, buildings, and objects for the purpose of determining which possess value as illustrative of the history of the state; Make diligent researches to obtain accurate historical facts and information relating to sites, buildings, and objects; Acquire in the name of the state sites, buildings, and objects of historical value by gift, purchase, or otherwise. However, no such property shall be acquired, or contract or agreement for the acquisition thereof made, which will obligate the state for the payment of the property, or the maintenance or improvement thereof after acquisition, in the absence of the appropriation of funds by the General Assembly for the purpose; Restore, reconstruct, rehabilitate, preserve and maintain historic sites, buildings and objects, and the grounds and the approaches thereto; Operate and manage historic sites, buildings, and objects for the benefit of the public, which authority shall include the power to charge reasonable visitation and rental fees and grant permits for the use of land or building space when necessary or desirable to accommodate the public, or to facilitate administration, or for other appropriate purposes; Develop an educational program and service for the purpose of making available to the public facts and information pertaining to Arkansas historic sites, buildings, and objects and make reasonable charges for the dissemination of the facts or information; Perform any and all acts, and make and publicly post such rules not inconsistent with law as may be necessary and proper to carry out the provisions of this subchapter. The purpose of the rules shall be to carry into effect the commission's implied powers, to be ascertained from the express provisions of this subchapter. The rules shall be deposited with the Secretary of State and that official's receipt taken. Any person violating any of these rules shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, punishable by fine in any amount not exceeding five hundred dollars ($500) or by imprisonment not exceeding one (1) year, or by both fine and imprisonment; and Receive administrative support and be provided all employees necessary to carry out the duties of the commission from the Department of Parks, Heritage, and Tourism.