BILL ANALYSIS

Senate Research Center	H.B. 1905
85R2886 AAF-F	By: Guillen (Hall)
	Veteran Affairs & Border Security
	5/16/2017
	Engrossed

AUTHOR'S / SPONSOR'S STATEMENT OF INTENT

During the 84th legislative session, the Texas legislature created new general officer positions within the Texas National Guard. However, the federal National Guard Bureau failed to recognize the position titles and subsequently did not fund them. This bill would clarify these new general officer titles and duties to allow for proper recognition and funding.

H.B. 1905 amends current law relating to general officers within the Texas Military Department.

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 437.058, Government Code, by amending Subsections (a), (d), (e), and (f) and adding Subsection (d-1), as follows:

(a) Authorizes the adjutant general to appoint as general officers one or more assistant deputy adjutants general, rather than an assistant deputy adjutant general, for army, an assistant deputy adjutant general for air, an assistant adjutant general for homeland security, and an assistant adjutant general for domestic operations, rather than an assistant deputy adjutant general for homeland security and an assistant deputy adjutant general for government affairs.

(d) Makes nonsubstantive and conforming changes.

(d-1) Requires the assistant deputy adjutant general for air to support the deputy adjutant general for air, represent the command staff at events as needed, and manage the activities assigned by the adjutant general or the deputy adjutant general for air.

(e) Requires the assistant adjutant general for homeland security, rather than the assistant deputy adjutant general for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as determined by the adjutant general, to:

(1) coordinate with other state agencies in matters pertaining to homeland security, rather than matters pertaining to homeland security to ensure state emergency services are provided and organized to support the state operations center; and

(2) makes no changes to this subdivision.

(f) Requires the assistant adjutant general for domestic operations, rather than the assistant deputy adjutant general for the Army National Guard or the Air National Guard, as determined by the adjutant general, to:

(1) coordinate activities of the Texas military forces with the National Guard Bureau to ensure state emergency services are provided and organized to support the state operations center, rather than to ensure funding and coordination with other federal, state, and local jurisdictions and officials in matters relating to the operations of the Texas military forces occurring in the assistant deputy adjutant general's jurisdiction or oversight. Creates this subdivision from existing text; and

(2) coordinate with other federal, state, and local jurisdictions and officials.

SECTION 2. Effective date: September 1, 2017.