AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Texas is home to 1.7 million military veterans, reservists, and active duty troops and their families, yet current Texas law does not require half-staff display of the Texas state flag and the United States flag at state buildings in memory of those Texas who have been killed in action while serving their nation.  Although the governor has discretionary authority to direct half-staff display in memory of Texans, including fallen military personnel, interested parties note that several other states already have enacted legislation directing half-staff display for fallen military service members, and it is important for Texas to formalize this small gesture of gratitude and appreciation.

 

H.B. 150 amends current law relating to the display of flags at half-staff at the Capitol building to honor service members killed in action.

 

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 Section 443.024, Government Code, by adding Subsection (e), as follows:

 

(e) Requires that the flag of the State of Texas and the flag of the United States be flown at half-staff at the Capitol building on the death of a member of the armed forces of the United States who was a resident of this state and who was killed in action.  Requires that the flags be displayed at half-staff for one day following the date the person's family is notified of the person's death.  Requires that the office of the governor notify the State Preservation Board of the days on which flags are required to be flown at half-staff under this subsection.

 

SECTION 2.  Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2013.