By Junell                                              H.B. No. 541
         77R1626 AJA-D                           
                                A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
 1-1                                   AN ACT
 1-2     relating to disposition of military awards and decorations
 1-3     escheated to the state.
 1-4           BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
 1-5           SECTION 1. Section 74.401(a), Property Code, is amended to
 1-6     read as follows:
 1-7           (a)  Except as provided by Subsection (c) or Section 74.404,
 1-8     the comptroller shall sell at public sale all personal property,
 1-9     other than money and marketable securities, delivered to the
1-10     comptroller in accordance with Section 74.301.  The comptroller
1-11     shall conduct the sale in the city in this state that the
1-12     comptroller determines affords the most favorable market for the
1-13     particular property.
1-14           SECTION 2. Subchapter E, Chapter 74, Property Code, is
1-15     amended by adding Section 74.404 to read as follows:
1-16           Sec. 74.404.  SALE OF MILITARY AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
1-17     PROHIBITED. (a)  A military award or decoration delivered to the
1-18     comptroller under this chapter:
1-19                 (1)  may not be sold under Section 74.401; and
1-20                 (2)  shall be held in trust for the comptroller at:
1-21                       (A)  a museum established by the Texas National
1-22     Guard Armory Board; or
1-23                       (B)  if no museum exists, any other public
1-24     facility designated by the Texas National Guard Armory Board.
 2-1           (b)  This section does not affect a person's right to claim a
 2-2     military award or decoration under Subchapter F.
 2-3           SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2001, and
 2-4     applies only to property described by Section 74.404, Property
 2-5     Code, as added by this Act, that is delivered to the comptroller on
 2-6     or after that date.