AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

 

Currently, Texas law limits the number of Texas Legislative Medals of Honor that may be awarded in a single legislative session to two, with one citation prior to 1955 and one after. The federal equivalent and most prestigious military honor in the United States is the Congressional Medal of Honor. There is no limit to the number of these medals that the United States Congress may award. C.S.S.B. 1824 creates parity with its federal equivalent by removing the limit of Texas Legislative Medals of Honor that may be awarded during a single regular legislative session, while maintaining the rigorous selection process already in place.

 

C.S.S.B. 1824 amends current law relating to awarding the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor.

 

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 437.351(d), Government Code, as follows:

 

(d) Authorizes the legislature by concurrent resolution to direct the governor of the State of Texas (governor) to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to a service member nominated by the nominating committee. Requires the committee chairs serving on the nominating committee to jointly prepare a concurrent resolution directing the governor to award the medal to a service member nominated. Authorizes the legislature to direct the medal to be awarded only during a regular session.

 

Deletes existing text prohibiting the legislature, during a regular session, from directing the medal to be awarded to more than one service member for service in the state or federal military forces during the period beginning after 1835 but before 1956 and one service member for service in the state or federal military forces after 1955.

 

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