SRC-SEW S.B. 757 77(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 757 77R3900 MCK-FBy: Jackson State Affairs 2/22/2001 As Filed DIGEST AND PURPOSE During last session, the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day (STAR DAY) bill was passed, which allows the state the opportunity to recognize and honor on February 19th, or STAR DAY, each year Texans who have displayed commitment to the principles of duty, honor, faith, and devotion to country and family in an exemplary manner and who have made outstanding contributions in pioneering the development, growth, and progress of this state through the individual's work in public service. As proposed, S.B. 757 once again designates STAR DAY as a day to commend Texans who have done exemplary work in public service and award them the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal. RULEMAKING AUTHORITY This bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, institution, or agency. SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS SECTION 1. amends Title 106, Revised Statutes, by adding Article 6144i, as follows: Art. 6144i. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY MEDAL. Sec. 1. STATE OF TEXAS ANNIVERSARY REMEMBRANCE DAY MEDAL. Requires the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal to be awarded to a resident of this state who has displayed a commitment to the pioneer service principles of duty, honor, faith, and devotion to country and family in an exemplary fashion and who has made outstanding contributions in pioneering the development, growth, and progress of this state through the individual's work in public service. Sec. 2. AWARDS COMMITTEE. Provides that the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal Committee consists of seven members appointed by the governor with the advice and consent of the senate. Provides that committee members serve staggered six-year terms, with the terms of two or three members expiring on January 31 of each oddnumbered year. Requires a vacancy on the committee to be filled for the unexpired term in the same manner as other appointments to the committee. Requires the committee to designate a member of the committee as the presiding officer to serve in that capacity for one year. Requires members of the committee to serve without pay. Sec. 3. RECOMMENDATIONS FOR MEDAL. Authorizes an individual who has personal knowledge of outstanding contributions pioneering the development, growth, and progress of this state by a person in public service that the individual believes merit the awarding the medal to submit a letter of recommendation to the committee. Requires such a letter of recommendation to give an account of the outstanding pioneering contributions and is authorized to include statements, affidavits, records, photographs, or other material to support and amplify the stated facts. Sec. 4. AWARDING OF MEDAL. Requires the committee to review the recommendations and authorizes the committee to approve recommendations for the awarding of the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal. Prohibits the committee from awarding more than five medals in any one calendar year, except that in exceptional circumstances, the legislature is authorized to, by concurrent resolution, authorize the governor to award additional medals. Sec. 5. AWARDING OF MEDAL FOR PRIOR SERVICE. Prohibits the committee from awarding more than 10 State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medals for achievement attained or service rendered before September 1, 2001. Sec. 6. PRESENTATION OF MEDAL. Requires the governor to present the State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal to a recipient in an appropriate ceremony on February 19, State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day. Sec. 7. DESIGN AND MANUFACTURE. Requires the medal to display the bust of James Pinckney Henderson with the words "State of Texas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal" engraved in a circle. Requires the medal to be suspended from a ribbon of red, white, and blue and worn about the neck of the recipient. Requires the governor to approve the design and authorize the casting of the medal in any manner considered appropriate. Requires the governor's office to pay for the medals out of money that is authorized to be used for that purpose. SECTION 2. (a) Effective date: September 1, 2001. (b) Requires the governor, as soon as possible after the effective date of this Act, to appoint the initial members of the State of Teas Anniversary Remembrance Day Medal Committee. Requires the governor to appoint two members to serve terms expiring January 31, 2003, two members to serve terms expiring January 31, 2005, and three members to serve terms expiring January 31, 2007.