BILL ANALYSIS

 

 

Senate Research Center                                                                                                     H.B. 2895

80R6852 TAD-D                                                                                              By: Flynn (Hinojosa)

                                                                                             Veteran Affairs & Military Installations

                                                                                                                                            5/12/2007

                                                                                                                                           Engrossed

 

 

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

The Texas Humanitarian Service Medal is an existing state award that is awarded to the members of the Texas military forces, which includes the Army and Air National Guard and State Guard.  Currently, only those active members of the Texas military forces are eligible to receive the award.  By applying Title 32 of the United States Code to the criteria of the award, the Texas military forces members who are not technically on active duty but participate satisfactorily in defense support to missions under civil authority, such as reserve component personnel who perform additional duties to support operations or missions, will become eligible for the award.

 

H.B. 2895 provides that all members of the Texas military forces who have participated in defense support to a mission during or soon after a national disaster or civil unrest in the state are eligible for the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal.

 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

 

Rulemaking authority previously granted to the adjutant general is modified in SECTION 1 (Section 431.134, Government Code), of this bill.

 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

 

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 431.134, Government Code, to authorize the adjutant general to adopt rules and regulations relating to the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal, which is required to be awarded to a person who, while serving on state active duty or active duty under state authority in accordance with Title 32 (National Guard) of the United States Code, participates satisfactorily in defense support to a mission under civilian authority to protect life or property during or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest in the state.  Makes conforming changes.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2007.