HBA-RBT, DMD H.B. 3425 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisH.B. 3425
By: Najera
State, Federal, & International Relations
4/29/1999
Committee Report (Amended)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an
enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the armed
services of the United States.  It is also called the Congressional Medal
of Honor.  The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor is the highest award that
can be bestowed upon a member of the Texas military.  It is awarded to a
member of the state military forces who voluntarily performs a deed of
personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life that is so
conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the person for gallantry and
intrepidity above the person's comrades.  Since the creation of the Texas
Legislative Medal of Honor in 1987, there has been one such medal awarded.
H.B. 3425 allows recipients of the Congressional Medal of Honor to also
receive the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that this bill does
not expressly delegate any additional rulemaking authority to a state
officer, department, agency, or institution. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 431.131, Government Code, to authorize the Texas
Legislative Medal of Honor to be awarded to a person who has been awarded
the Congressional Medal of Honor provided that the person currently resides
in the state and resided in the state at the time the person entered
military service. 

SECTION 2.Effective date: September 1, 1999.

SECTION 3.Emergency clause.

EXPLANATION OF AMENDMENTS

Committee Amendment No.  1.

The amendment deletes language limiting the pool of potential recipients of
the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to Texas residents, thereby allowing
the Texas Legislature to award this medal to any person who has been
awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor.