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.