HBA-JRA C.S.H.B. 671 76(R)BILL ANALYSIS


Office of House Bill AnalysisC.S.H.B. 671
By: Wise
State, Federal & International Relations
4/26/1999
Committee Report (Substituted)



BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE 

C.S.H.B. 671 modifies the eligibility requirements for the Federal Service
Medal and adds the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal to the list of medals
regarding which the adjutant general is authorized to adopt rules and
regulations. 

RULEMAKING AUTHORITY

It is the opinion of the Office of House Bill Analysis that rulemaking
authority previously delegated to the adjutant general is modified in
SECTION 1 (Section 431.134, Government Code) of this bill. 

SECTION BY SECTION ANALYSIS

SECTION 1.  Amends Section 431.134, Government Code, to authorize the
adjutant general to adopt rules and regulations relating to the Federal
Service Medal to be awarded to a person who was inducted into federal
service from the state military forces between June 15, 1940, and January
1, 1946, or after June 1, 1950, if the service was for more than 90 days,
rather than nine months.  Adds the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal to the
list of medals regarding which the adjutant general is authorized to adopt
rules and regulations.  Provides that the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal
may be awarded to a person who does not meet the criteria for an award of
the federal Humanitarian Service Medal; is a member of the state military
forces; and while serving under state active duty orders, participates
satisfactorily in the accomplishment of missions to protect life or
property during or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest. 

SECTION 2.  Emergency clause.
  Effective date: upon passage.

COMPARISON OF ORIGINAL TO SUBSTITUTE

The substitute modifies the original in SECTION 1 by restoring the language
of the existing code regarding the requirements and guidelines concerning
who is eligible to  receive the Texas Faithful Service Medal, the Federal
Service Medal, the Texas Medal of Merit, the Texas Outstanding Service
Medal, the Texas State Guard Service Medal, and the Texas Desert
Shield/Desert Storm Campaign Medal.  The substitute modifies the
eligibility requirements for the Federal Service Medal and adds the Texas
Humanitarian Service Medal to the list of medals regarding which the
adjutant general is authorized to adopt rules and regulations.