HBA-KDB, MPM H.B. 541 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 541 By: Junell State, Federal, & International Relations 3/18/2001 Introduced BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Current law authorizes the comptroller of public accounts to sell unclaimed property, except for money and marketable securities. This can include the sale of any military awards and decorations. House Bill 541 prohibits the sale of such items by the comptroller and requires that the items be held in trust at a museum established by the Texas National Guard Armory Board or until the item is claimed by its rightful owner. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution. ANALYSIS House Bill 541 amends the Property Code to prohibit a military award or decoration (award) delivered to the comptroller from being sold as property, and requires that an award be held at a museum established by the Texas National Guard Armory Board (board), or if no museum exists, any other public facility designated by the board. This does not affect a person's right to claim an award. EFFECTIVE DATE September 1, 2001