78R5573 KEG-D

By:  Gallego                                                      H.B. No. 1937



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to Texas memorial medal of valor awards for peace 
officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who 
are killed or sustain fatal injuries in the line of duty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Subtitle A, Title 11, Government Code, is 
amended by adding Chapter 3103 to read as follows:

CHAPTER 3103. TEXAS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF VALOR AWARD
	Sec. 3103.001.  DEFINITIONS.  In this chapter:                          
		(1)  "Emergency medical first responder" means an 
employee or volunteer of the state, a political subdivision, or an 
emergency medical services provider who provides prehospital care 
to the sick or injured before or during transportation to a medical 
facility.
		(2)  "Firefighter" includes a volunteer firefighter.                   
		(3)  "Peace officer" means a peace officer commissioned 
by the state or a political subdivision of the state under Article 
2.12, Code of Criminal Procedure, or other law.
	Sec. 3103.002.  TEXAS PEACE OFFICERS MEMORIAL MEDAL OF 
VALOR.  (a)  The Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal of Valor may 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)  The Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal of Valor 
Advisory Committee shall advise the governor on the issuance, 
design, and presentation of the Texas Peace Officers Memorial Medal 
of Valor.
	(c)  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)  The Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor may 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)  The Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor Advisory 
Committee shall advise the governor on the issuance, design, and 
presentation of the Texas Firefighters Memorial Medal of Valor.
	(c)  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)  The Texas First Responders Memorial Medal of Valor may 
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)  The Texas First Responders Memorial Medal of Valor 
Advisory Committee shall advise the governor on the issuance, 
design, and presentation of the Texas First Responders Memorial 
Medal of Valor.
	(c)  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)  Each member of an advisory committee created under 
this chapter serves at the will of the governor.
	(b)  The governor shall designate the presiding officer of 
each advisory committee.
	(c)  Each advisory committee shall meet at the call of the 
governor or the presiding officer of the committee.
	(d)  A member of an advisory committee may not receive 
compensation or travel expenses for service on the committee.
	(e)  An advisory committee is not subject to Chapter 2110.              
	Sec. 3103.006.  PRESENTATION; AWARD.  (a)  The governor or 
the governor's representative shall 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)  At a minimum, the award shall consist of a medal, a 
certificate, and a ribbon suitable for wearing on a uniform.
	Sec. 3103.007.  RECOMMENDATION FOR AWARD.  Any person who 
has personal knowledge that a peace officer, firefighter, or 
emergency medical first responder has been killed in the line of 
duty may submit that information in writing to a committee under 
this chapter.
	SECTION 2.  This Act takes effect immediately if it receives 
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as 
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution.  If this 
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this 
Act takes effect September 1, 2003.