79R13362 KEG-D


By:  Gallego                                                      H.B. No. 1977



A BILL TO BE ENTITLED

AN ACT

relating to the presentation of Star of Texas awards to peace 
officers, firefighters, and emergency medical first responders who 
are killed or sustain serious or fatal injuries in the line of duty.
	BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:                        
	SECTION 1.  Section 3105.002(a), Government Code, as added 
by Chapter 614, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 
2003, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award shall [may] be 
awarded to each [a] peace officer who is seriously injured in the 
line of duty and [or] the surviving next of kin of each [a] peace 
officer who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of 
duty.
	SECTION 2.  Section 3105.003(a), Government Code, as added 
by Chapter 614, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 
2003, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The Firefighters' Star of Texas Award shall [may] be 
awarded to each [a] firefighter who is seriously injured in the line 
of duty and [or] the surviving next of kin of each [a] firefighter 
who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of duty.
	SECTION 3.  Section 3105.004(a), Government Code, as added 
by Chapter 614, Acts of the 78th Legislature, Regular Session, 
2003, is amended to read as follows:
	(a)  The Emergency Medical First Responders' Star of Texas 
Award shall [may] be awarded to each [an] emergency medical first 
responder who is seriously injured in the line of duty and [or] the 
surviving next of kin of each [an] emergency medical first 
responder who is killed or sustains a fatal injury in the line of 
duty.
	SECTION 4.  (a) The Peace Officers' Star of Texas Award 
awarded under Section 3105.002(a), Government Code, as amended by 
this Act, shall be awarded to peace officers who are seriously 
injured, or the surviving next of kin of officers who are killed or 
sustain a fatal injury, on or after September 1, 2003.
	(b)  The Firefighters' Star of Texas Award awarded under 
Section 3105.003(a), Government Code, as amended by this Act, shall 
be awarded to firefighters who are seriously injured, or the 
surviving next of kin of firefighters who are killed or sustain a 
fatal injury, on or after September 1, 2003.
	(c)  The Emergency Medical First Responders' Star of Texas 
Award awarded under Section 3105.004(a), Government Code, as 
amended by this Act, shall be awarded to emergency medical first 
responders who are seriously injured, or the surviving next of kin 
of emergency medical first responders who are killed or sustain a 
fatal injury, on or after September 1, 2003.
	SECTION 5.  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, 2005.