BILL ANALYSIS
Defense Affairs & State-Federal Relations
Committee Report (Substituted)
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE
Current law allows all members of the Federal Armed Forces and certain members of the Texas National Guard to receive grave markers from the Federal Veterans Administration in recognition of their service. To receive a marker from the Veterans Administration, a next of kin must request and provide the correct information to the Administration. There is no similar state provision for these service members.
To recognize service members for their service, CSHB 1318 would allow certain decedents who served in the State Military Forces to receive a grave marker from the Adjutant General.
RULEMAKING AUTHORITY
It is the committee's opinion that rulemaking authority is expressly granted to the Adjutant General in SECTION 1 (Section 431.175 (e)) of this bill.
ANALYSIS
CSHB 1318 requires the State Adjutant General to provide grave markers, upon the request of a select group of people, for decedents who served in the state military forces. It also states that only those who are not eligible for federal markers may receive a state marker.
EFFECTIVE DATE
The Act takes effect September 1, 2005.
COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE
The substitute modifies SECTION 1 of the original bill by changing who is eligible for a grave marker by modifying Subsection (a), allowing for all decedents who served in the state military forces to receive a grave marker.
The substitute also adds Subsection (b) which specifies who is eligible to request a grave marker.