SCT H.B. 2883 75(R)BILL ANALYSIS


STATE FEDERAL & INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS
H.B. 2883
By: Hunter
4-21-97
Committee Report (Unamended)



BACKGROUND 

The Texas State Cemetery was established to honor Texans who have made a
contribution to the history of this state. This list includes all those
officials elected or appointed to service  in the state government.
However, there is a limited number of Texans who have made significant
contributions  to Texas history through service in the federal government
and yet are not approved by statute for burial in the state cemetery.
This list of notable Texans includes persons who served in executive,
legislative, and judicial positions of honor. 

This bill would specify by statute that those individuals who have made
Texas history through service in federal offices of honor would be
eligible for burial in the state cemetery.  According to the terms of the
proposed legislation, the additional persons eligible for burial should be
small in number. 

PURPOSE

The purpose of this legislation is to extend burial rights in the state
cemetery to individuals who have served the state through certain service
as a certain elected or appointed federal official. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to
a state officer, department, agency or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 Section 1. Amends section 2165.256, Government Code.  Adds subsection K,
adding  several categories of federal officers, and their families to the
list of state officials who  would be eligible for burial in the Texas
State Cemetery. 

 The additions include: former or current US legislators who were elected
by the state of  Texas; former or current US presidents or vice presidents
who resided in this state at the  time of election; former or current
presidential cabinet appointees who were born in and  resided in this
state when appointed; former and current US Supreme Court justices who
were born in and resided in this state when appointed; and, former
presidential electors  who were elected or appointed to represent this
state. 

 Section 2. Sets September 1, 1997 as the date the Act will take effect.

 Section 3. Emergency Clause.