SRC-AXB S.B. 525 76(R)   BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research Center   S.B. 525
76R3712  BDH-DBy: Luna
Veterans Affairs
3/4/1999
As Filed


DIGEST 

In 1998, an unprecedented 6,226 Texas National Guard (guard) members served
Texas in a variety of emergencies ranging from wild fires to floods, at a
cost of $3.23 million.  During that year, it was discovered that guard
members are at risk in terms of disability benefits, job protection, and
further, that they are not adequately compensated for their services.  For
example, a guard member who becomes permanently blinded during state active
duty status will receive $923.42 less benefits per month than a guard
member who was on federal active duty status at the time of the accident.
S.B. 525 would expand disability and surviving dependents' compensation,
and protect reemployment rights of state military forces while they are
called to training. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, S.B. 525 protects reemployment rights and expands compensation
for members of the Texas military forces and their dependants. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

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

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 431.006, Government Code, as follows:

Sec.  431.006.  New heading:  REEMPLOYMENT OF PERSON CALLED TO TRAINING OR
DUTY.  Prohibits the employment termination of a member of the state
military forces (soldier) because the soldier is ordered to authorized
training, rather than active duty.  . Prohibits the soldier from being
subjected to loss of time, efficiency rating, vacation time, or any
employment benefit during or because of being absent.  Deletes the
provision that a soldier can only be ordered to duty during an emergency.
Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 2.  Amends Section 431.082(c), Government Code, to entitle a
soldier to receive pay and allowances for training or other duty.  Makes
conforming changes. 

SECTION 3.  Amends Section 431.104, Government Code, to delete a
prohibition regarding the amount of compensation to which a soldier is
entitled.  Creates a list of disability ratings and corresponding monthly
entitlements.  Makes conforming changes. 

SECTION 4.  Amends Section 431.105, Government Code, by amending Subsection
(d) and adding Subsection (e), to entitle the person's surviving dependent
parents to certain compensation, and sets forth the compensation amounts
and percentages.  Redesignates existing Subsection (d) as Subsection (e).   

SECTION 5.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.