SRC-AMY H.B. 573 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center H.B. 573 By: Hunter (Van de Putte) Veteran Affairs & Military Installations 5/10/2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor (TLMH) was established by the 58th Texas Legislature, and has been awarded three times throughout its history to those who voluntarily perform a distinguished deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life. Under current law, the governor determines the TLMH nominees and awards the TLMH upon passage of a resolution confirming this person by both bodies of the legislature. Additionally, there are no residency requirements for the TLMH. H.B. 573 establishes certain residency requirements and TLMH nominating and awarding criteria. This bill also establishes a committee of legislative branch officials and the Texas adjutant general to designate award recipients. 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 Section 431.131, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 431.131. TEXAS LEGISLATIVE MEDAL OF HONOR. (a) Includes being a member of federal military forces as an alternative requirement for receiving the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor (TLMH) and adds the requirement that the person be designated by concurrent resolution of the legislature. Sets forth the eligibility requirements for the TLMH. (b) Provides that receiving any other medal or award for military service does not render a person ineligible for the TLMH. (c) Requires a person, to receive the TLMH, to be nominated during a regular session of the legislature by a majority vote of all the member of a nominating committee. Sets forth the membership of the nominating committee. (d) Authorizes the legislature, by concurrent resolution, to direct the governor to award the TLMH to a person nominated by the nominating committee. Requires the committee chairs serving on the nominating committee to jointly prepare a concurrent resolution directing the governor to award the medal to a person nominated. Authorizes the legislature to direct the medal to be awarded only during a regular session and prohibits the legislature from directing the medal to be awarded to more than one person during a regular session. SECTION 2. Amends Section 431.136, Government Code, as follows: Sec. 431.136. AWARDING. Provides that the governor awards the TLMH as directed, rather than only on approval, by the legislature under Section 431.131. Provides that the governor awards medals and awards authorized by this subchapter on recommendation of the adjutant general. SECTION 3. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.