BILL ANALYSIS

H.B. 1598

By: Miller, Doug

Defense & Veterans' Affairs

Committee Report (Unamended)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Interested parties report that certain individuals who volunteer for the Texas military forces currently are not required to subscribe to an oath of allegiance to the State of Texas and to the United States of America. These parties note the importance of the oath of affirmation to the Texas military forces. H.B. 1598 ensures that these volunteers are required to subscribe to such an oath.

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. 1598 amends the Government Code to include a person who volunteers for the Texas military forces among the persons required to take and subscribe to the Texas military forces oath of affirmation. The bill removes the requirement that the oath be prescribed by the adjutant general and instead prescribes the specific content of the oath.

EFFECTIVE DATE

September 1, 2015.