SRC-EPT H.B. 1937 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research CenterH.B. 1937 By: Gallego (Gallegos) Administration 5-3-2003 Engrossed DIGEST AND PURPOSE Since September 11, 2001, the focus of public attention has been on the sacrifices called for and made by first responders who serve our state and its citizens. The State of Texas does not currently have a process to officially honor these men and women who sustain serious or fatal injuries in the line of duty. H.B. 1937 creates the Star of Texas Awards to be awarded to an individual seriously injured in the line of duty or the next of kin to those peace officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical first responders who sustain a fatal injury in the line of duty. 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 Subtitle A, Title 11, Government Code, by adding Chapter 3105, as follows: Chapter 3105. STAR OF TEXAS AWARDS Sec. 3105.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "emergency medical first responder," "firefighter," and "peace officer." Sec. 3105.002. PEACE OFFICERS' STAR OF TEXAS AWARD (a) Authorizes the Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award to be awarded to a peace officer who is seriously injured in the line of duty or the surviving next of kin of a peace officer who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty. (b) Requires the Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award. (c) Provides that the committee consists of three current or retired peace officers appointed by the governor who have each served with distinction during a lengthy career as a peace officer. Sec. 3105.003. FIREFIGHTERS' STAR OF TEXAS AWARD. (a) Authorizes the Firefighters' Star of Texas Award to be awarded to a firefighter who is seriously injured in the line of duty or the surviving next of kin of a firefighter who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty. (b) Requires the Firefighters' Star of Texas Award Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Firefighters' Star of Texas Award. (c) Provides that the committee consists of three current or retired firefighters appointed by the governor who have each served with distinction during a lengthy career as a firefighter. Sec. 3105.004. FIRST RESPONDERS' STAR OF TEXAS AWARD. (a) Authorizes the First Responders' Star of Texas Award to be awarded to an emergency medical first responder who is seriously injured in the line of duty or the surviving next of kin of an emergency medical first responder who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty. (b) Requires the First Responders' Star of Texas Award Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the First Responders' Star of Texas Award. (c) Provides that the committee consists of three current or retired first responders appointed by the governor who have each served with distinction during a lengthy career as an emergency medical first responder. Sec. 3105.005. GENERAL MATTERS AFFECTING ADVISORY COMMITTEE. (a) Provides that each member of an advisory committee created under this chapter serves at the will of the governor. (b) Requires the governor to designate the presiding officer of each advisory committee. (c) Requires each advisory committee to meet at the call of the governor or the presiding officer of the committee. (d) Prohibits a member of an advisory committee from receiving compensation for service on the committee or reimbursement for travel expenses incurred while conducting the business of the committee. (e) Provides that an advisory committee is not subject to Chapter 2110. Sec. 3105.006. PRESENTATION; AWARD. (a) Requires the governor or the governor's representative to present in the name of the state a star of Texas award under this chapter to the appropriate recipient or surviving next of kin during a public ceremony. (b) Requires the award, at a minimum, to consist of a medal, a certificate, and a ribbon suitable for wearing on a uniform. Sec. 3105.007. RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD. Authorizes any person who has personal knowledge that a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical first responder has been killed or seriously injured in the line of duty to submit that information in writing to a committee under this chapter. SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2003.