BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 115

By: Dale

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

In 2009, Nidal Malik Hasan killed thirteen people and wounded many others on the American military base in 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. 

CRIMINAL JUSTICE IMPACT

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly create a criminal offense, increase the punishment for an existing criminal offense or category of offenses, or change the eligibility of a person for community supervision, parole, or mandatory supervision.

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the committee's opinion that this bill does not expressly grant any additional rulemaking authority to a state officer, department, agency, or institution.

ANALYSIS

H.B. 115 amends the Government Code to include a service member who was wounded or killed at Fort Hood on November 5, 2009, among those service members to whom the Texas Purple Heart Medal is awarded.

EFFECTIVE DATE

On passage, or, if the bill does not receive the necessary vote, September 1, 2015.