AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

In 2009, Nidal Malik Hasan killed thirteen people and wounded many others on the American military base at Fort Hood, Texas. It was reported that at his trial in 2013, Hasan claimed that he believed he was defending the lives of the Taliban leadership in Afghanistan. Interested parties assert that, until recently, the federal government classified this incident as an act of workplace violence, precluding the victims from receiving the federal Purple Heart. H.B. 115 seeks to honor those wounded or killed at Fort Hood by awarding them the Texas Purple Heart.

 

H.B. 115 amends current law relating to the criteria for awarding the Texas Purple Heart Medal to members of the armed forces wounded or killed at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009.

 

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 437.355(a), Government Code, as follows:

 

(a) Authorizes the governor of the State of Texas (governor) or adjutant general, if delegated the authority, to adopt policies and regulations relating to awarding:

 

(1) the Texas Purple Heart Medal which shall be awarded to a service member who:

 

(A) after September 11, 2001, was inducted into federal service from the Texas National Guard and meets the criteria for an award of the federal Purple Heart Medal; or

 

(B) was wounded or killed at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009;

 

(2)-(14) Makes no change to these subdivisions.  

 

SECTION 2. Effective date: upon passage or September 1, 2015.