This bill would separate the Texas State Guard (TSG) from the Texas Military Department (TMD) and establish it as an independent state agency. The bill requires the TSG to enter into a memorandum of understanding with TMD to identify and transfer all duties and functions of the TSG and further transfer or allocate the use of any facilities, property, equipment, and other resources necessary to the State Guard's mission. This analysis therefore assumes that all resources necessary for the operation of the state guard would be transferred from TMD and that any costs associated with the bill could be absorbed using existing resources.
Furthermore, this bill authorizes the TSG to hire their own administrative and support staff, but also states that TMD shall provide these support services to the TSG at the request of their director. The bill requires the director of the Texas State Guard to develop and implement certain training programs and joint exercises with the Texas National Guard and other relevant agencies and provide communications infrastructure sufficient to ensure seamless coordination. Lastly, the director of the Texas State Guard is required by the provisions of the bill to submit an annual report relating to the activities, expenditures, and readiness status of the Texas State Guard.
No significant fiscal implication to units of local government is anticipated.