SRC-AXB C.S.S.B. 643 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Senate Research CenterC.S.S.B. 643
By: Truan
Veterans Affairs
3/23/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)


DIGEST 

Currently, the statute governing criteria for Texas military awards is very
specific and does not allow flexibility to accurately reflect the current
operations of the state military forces.  Presently, these forces are
called upon to perform missions beyond the realm of imagination of the
original statute authors. This bill deletes existing descriptions of
certain medals, effectively granting the adjutant general increased freedom
to adopt regulations for awards for members of the state or other military
forces. 

PURPOSE

As proposed, C.S.S.B. 643 deletes descriptions of certain medals for
members of the state, or other military forces. 

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 431.134, Government Code, to delete the complete
existing descriptions of medals concerning which the adjutant general is
authorized to adopt rules, including the Texas Faithful Service Medal,
Federal Service Medal, Texas Medal of Merit, Texas Outstanding Service
Medal, Texas State Guard Service Medal, Texas Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Campaign Medal, and the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal. 

SECTION 2.Emergency clause.
  Effective date:  upon passage.

SUMMARY OF COMMITTEE CHANGES

SECTION 1.

Amends Section 431.134, Government Code, to include the Texas Humanitarian
Service Medal with other awards the adjutant general is authorized to
regulate.