SRC-VRA S.B. 1687 78(R) BILL ANALYSIS Senate Research Center S.B. 1687 78R5573 KEG-DBy: Gallegos Intergovernmental Relations 4/6/2003 As Filed 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. As proposed, S.B. 1687 creates the Memorial Medals of Honor to be awarded to the next of kin to those peace officers, fire fighters, and emergency medical first responders killed, or who die as a result of wounds received, 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 Title 11A, Government Code, by adding Chapter 3103, as follows: Chapter 3103. TEXAS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD Sec. 3103.001. DEFINITIONS. Defines "emergency medical first responder," "firefighter," and "peace officer." Sec. 3103.002. TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR. (a) Authorizes the Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal of Valor to be awarded to 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 Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal of Valor Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal of Valor. (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. 3103.003. TEXAS FIREFIGHTERS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR. (a) Authorizes the Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor to be awarded to the surviving next of kin of a firefighter who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty. (b) Requires the Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor. (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. 3103.004. TEXAS FIRST RESPONDERS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR. (a) Authorizes the Texas First Responders Memorial Medal of Valor to be awarded to 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 Texas First Responders Memorial Medal of Valor Advisory Committee to advise the governor on the issuance, design, and presentation of the Texas First Responders Memorial Medal of Valor. (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 a first responder. Sec. 3103.005. 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 or travel expenses for service on the committee. (e) Provides that an advisory committee is not subject to Chapter 2110. Sec. 3103.006. PRESENTATION; AWARD. (a) Requires the governor or the governor's representative to present in the name of the state a Texas memorial medal of valor award under this chapter to the appropriate 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. 3103.007. RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD. Authorizes any person who has personal knowledge that a peace officer, firefighter, or emergency medical first responder has been killed 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.