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.