Texas Land Commissioner
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The GLO's mission statement is: "The Texas General Land Office serves the schoolchildren, veterans, and all people of Texas by preserving their history, protecting their environment, expanding economic opportunity, and maximizing state revenue through innovative administration and prudent stewardship of state lands and resources."[1]
Land Commissioner is the "oldest, continuous elected position in Texas history."[2] Established in 1836, the office predates the Governor and all other state executive positions.
Current office holder
The current officeholder is Jerry Patterson.
Authority
The General Land Office is established in Article 14 of the state constitution.
Article 14, Section 1:
| There shall be one General Land Office in the State, which shall be at the seat of government, where all land titles which have emanated or may hereafter emanate from the State shall be registered, except those titles the registration of which may be prohibited by this Constitution. It shall be the duty of the Legislature at the earliest practicable time to make the Land Office self sustaining, and from time to time the Legislature may establish such subordinate offices as may be deemed necessary. |
Qualifications
There are no specific qualifications to hold this office.
Elections
As a member of the Texas Executive Department, under Article 14 of the state constitution, the land commissioner is elected "by the qualified voters of the State at the time and places of election for members of the Legislature." In Texas, the land commissioner is elected in 2010, 2014 and 2018.
Vacancies
Under Article 4, Section 12 of the state constitution, "all vacancies in State or district offices, except members of the Legislature, shall be filled unless otherwise provided by law by appointment of the Governor."
Duties
1. Superintend, control, and direct the official conduct of subordinate officers of the land office
2. Execute and perform all acts relating to public real property of the state or rights of individuals in public real property which is required by law
3. Make and enforce suitable rules consistent with the law; and
4. Give information when required to the governor and the legislature relating to public real property and the land office.
Divisions
- History and Archives Division
- Energy and Minerals Division
- State Lands Division
- Caring for the Coast Division
- Veterans Land Board Division [3]
Compensation
In 2010, the Texas General Land Office Commissioner was paid an estimated $126,500 according to the Council of State Governments.[4]
Former officeholders
Since 1937, Texas has had 13 Commissioners of General Land Office.
Click "show" for former officeholders.
| # | Name | Took office | Left office |
|---|---|---|---|
| # | Jerry Patterson | 2003 | Present |
| # | David Dewhurst | 1999 | 2003 |
| # | Gary Mauro | 1983 | 1999 |
| # | Bob Armstrong | 1971 | 1983 |
| # | Jerry Sadler | 1961 | 1971 |
| # | Bill Allcorn | 1956 | 1961 |
| # | James E. Rudder | 1955 | 1956 |
| # | Bascow Giles | 1939 | 1955 |
| # | William H. McDonald | 1937 | 1939 |
| # | James Walker | 1929 | 1937 |
| # | James Robyson | 1909 | 1929 |
| # | John Terrell | 1903 | 1909 |
| # | Charles Rogan | 1899 | 1903 |
| # | George Finger | 1899 | 1899 |
| # | Andrew Baker | 1893 | 1899 |
| # | Richard M. Hall | 1887 | 1891 |
| # | Richard M. Hall | 1887 | 1891 |
| # | Johann Jacob Groos | 1878 | 1887 |
| # | Johann Jacob Groos | 1874 | 1878 |
| # | Jacob Kuechler | 1870 | 1874 |
| # | Joseph Spence | 1867 | 1870 |
| # | Stephen Crosby | 1866 | 1867 |
| # | Francis M. White | 1865 | 1866 |
| # | Stephen Crosby | 1865 | 1865 |
| # | Francis M. White | 1858 | 1862 |
| # | Stephen Crosby | 1851 | 1858 |
| # | George Washington Smith | 1848 | 1851 |
| # | Thomas William Ward | 1841 | 1848 |
| # | Henry W. Raglin | 1840 | 1841 |
| # | John P. Borden | 1937 | 1940 |
Contact information
Texas General Land Office
William B. Travis Building
1701 N. Congress Avenue
Suite 935
Austin, Texas 78701
- Phone: (512) 463-5001
- Fax: (512) 475-1558
See also
External links
References
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