|
|
A BILL TO BE ENTITLED
|
|
AN ACT
|
|
|
relating to the Texas military; imposing criminal penalties; |
|
authorizing fees. |
|
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: |
|
ARTICLE 1. TEXAS MILITARY |
|
SECTION 1.01. Subtitle C, Title 4, Government Code, is |
|
amended by adding Chapter 437 to read as follows: |
|
CHAPTER 437. TEXAS MILITARY |
|
SUBCHAPTER A. GENERAL PROVISIONS |
|
Sec. 437.001. DEFINITIONS. In this chapter: |
|
(1) "Active military service" means state active duty |
|
service, federally funded state active duty service, or federal |
|
active duty service. The term does not include service performed |
|
exclusively for training, such as basic combat training, advanced |
|
individual training, annual training, inactive duty training, and |
|
special training periodically made available to service members. |
|
(2) "Adjutant general" means the military commander of |
|
the Texas military forces. |
|
(3) "Department" means the Texas Military Department. |
|
(4) "Employee" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
21.002, Labor Code. |
|
(5) "Employer" has the meaning assigned by Section |
|
21.002, Labor Code. |
|
(6) "Executive director" means the administrative |
|
head of the department. |
|
(7) "Military duty" means any activity of a service |
|
member performing a duty under a lawful military order, including |
|
training. |
|
(8) "Service member" means a member or former member |
|
of the state military forces or a component of the United States |
|
armed forces, including a reserve component. |
|
(9) "State active duty" means the performance of |
|
military or emergency service for this state at the call of the |
|
governor or the governor's designee. |
|
(10) "State military forces" means the Texas military |
|
forces. |
|
(11) "State training and other duty" means the service |
|
and training typically performed by service members in preparation |
|
for state active duty. The term includes training for man-made and |
|
natural disaster response and maintenance of equipment and |
|
property. |
|
(12) "Temporary state employee" means a service member |
|
who is not a full-time or part-time state employee and who is on |
|
state active duty. |
|
(13) "Texas Military Department" means the state |
|
agency charged with administrative activities in support of the |
|
Texas military forces. |
|
(14) "Texas military forces" means the Texas National |
|
Guard, the Texas State Guard, and any other military force |
|
organized under state law. |
|
(15) "Texas National Guard" means the Texas Army |
|
National Guard and the Texas Air National Guard. |
|
(16) "Texas State Guard" means the volunteer military |
|
forces that provide community service and emergency response |
|
activities for this state, as organized under the Second Amendment |
|
to the United States Constitution, and operating as a defense force |
|
authorized under 32 U.S.C. Section 109. |
|
(17) "Unit" means any organized group of the Texas |
|
military forces that has a designated commander. |
|
(18) "Unit fund" means: |
|
(A) money held by a military unit to support the |
|
service members in the military unit while serving in the Texas |
|
military forces; |
|
(B) the state post exchange services account; or |
|
(C) the billeting account. |
|
Sec. 437.0011. REFERENCE IN OTHER LAW. A reference in other |
|
law to the adjutant general's department means the Texas Military |
|
Department. |
|
Sec. 437.002. COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF. (a) The governor is the |
|
commander-in-chief of the Texas military forces, except any portion |
|
of those forces in the service of the United States. The governor |
|
has full control and authority over all matters relating to the |
|
Texas military forces, including organization, equipment, and |
|
discipline. |
|
(b) If the governor is unable to perform the duties of |
|
commander-in-chief, the adjutant general shall command the Texas |
|
military forces, unless the state constitution or other state law |
|
requires the lieutenant governor or the president of the senate to |
|
perform the duties of governor. |
|
Sec. 437.003. GOVERNOR'S MILITARY APPOINTMENTS. (a) The |
|
governor, with the advice and consent of the senate, shall appoint |
|
an adjutant general to a two-year term expiring February 1 of each |
|
even-numbered year. The adjutant general is responsible for |
|
leading and managing the Texas military forces. The adjutant |
|
general is subordinate only to the governor in matters pertaining |
|
to the Texas military forces. The adjutant general's rank is |
|
assigned at the discretion of the governor and may not exceed |
|
lieutenant general. Federal recognition is at the rank authorized |
|
by the National Guard Bureau. The adjutant general may be referred |
|
to as the commanding general of the Texas military forces. |
|
(b) On recommendation of the adjutant general, the governor |
|
shall appoint a deputy adjutant general for army, a deputy adjutant |
|
general for air, and the commander of the Texas State Guard. The |
|
deputy adjutants general and commander serve until replaced. To be |
|
qualified for appointment as a deputy adjutant general, a service |
|
member must have the qualifications required for appointment as |
|
adjutant general. |
|
(c) The governor shall appoint, commission, and assign the |
|
Texas State Guard general officers. The governor may remove or |
|
reassign an officer. To be eligible for appointment as a general |
|
officer, a service member must have: |
|
(1) been a federally recognized officer of not less |
|
than field grade of the Texas National Guard or a regular or reserve |
|
component of the United States military or served at least 15 years |
|
of combined service as a commissioned officer in the Texas military |
|
forces or a regular or reserve component of the United States |
|
military; and |
|
(2) served at least three years as a commissioned |
|
officer in the Texas State Guard. |
|
(d) The governor may delegate the powers granted by |
|
Subsection (c) to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.004. REGULATING TEXAS MILITARY FORCES. (a) The |
|
governor shall make and publish regulations, according to existing |
|
federal and state law, to govern the Texas military forces. The |
|
regulations must address general orders and forms for the |
|
performance of duties of service members on military duty, |
|
including provisions governing courts-martial. |
|
(b) The governor may reorganize and provide regulations |
|
relating to the organization of any portion of the Texas National |
|
Guard, Texas State Guard, emergency militia, or other military |
|
force organized under state law. |
|
(c) The governor may obtain from the United States |
|
government the arms, equipment, munitions, or other military |
|
supplies to which the state is entitled for use by the Texas |
|
military forces. |
|
(d) The governor, as the governor determines to be in this |
|
state's best interest, shall designate the locations for storage of |
|
arms, equipment, munitions, or other military property owned by or |
|
under the control of this state. |
|
(e) The governor may delegate the powers granted by this |
|
section to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.005. AUTHORITY FOR STATE ACTIVE DUTY, STATE |
|
TRAINING, AND OTHER DUTY. (a) The governor may activate all or |
|
part of the Texas military forces to state active duty or for state |
|
training and other duty. The governor may delegate all or part of |
|
the authority granted by this section to the adjutant general. |
|
(b) On delegation of the authority by the governor, the |
|
adjutant general may order all or part of the Texas military forces |
|
to state training and other duty if funding has been provided in the |
|
General Appropriations Act or volunteer resources are available. |
|
(c) On delegation of the authority by the governor, the |
|
adjutant general may order all or part of the Texas military forces |
|
to state training and other duty if requested by a federal, state, |
|
or local governmental entity and the entity authorizes |
|
reimbursement of the costs to this state. |
|
(d) A service member called to state active duty or to state |
|
training and other duty has the rights, privileges, duties, |
|
functions, and authorities conferred or imposed by state law. |
|
Sec. 437.006. OFFICERS. (a) The governor shall appoint |
|
and commission officers of the Texas National Guard. To be eligible |
|
for appointment, a service member must be qualified under United |
|
States law and regulations. |
|
(b) The adjutant general shall appoint and commission |
|
officers, other than a general officer, in the Texas State Guard. |
|
To be eligible for appointment, a service member must be qualified |
|
under state guard regulations and be recommended for appointment by |
|
the commander of the state guard. |
|
(c) An officer appointed under this section shall take and |
|
subscribe the official oath. |
|
Sec. 437.007. ENLISTMENT AND APPOINTMENT. (a) Federal law |
|
prescribes the terms and the qualifications and requirements for |
|
enlistment and appointment in the Texas National Guard. The |
|
governor and legislature may prescribe additional terms, |
|
qualifications, and requirements that do not conflict with federal |
|
law. |
|
(b) Enlistment in the Texas State Guard is prescribed by |
|
Subchapter G. |
|
Sec. 437.008. MILITARY FACILITIES PROJECTS: MATCHING |
|
FEDERAL FUNDS. If the governor, after consulting with the adjutant |
|
general, determines that the state is eligible for federal matching |
|
funds for projects at military facilities in this state, the |
|
governor may direct that money appropriated for another purpose be |
|
used to obtain the federal matching funds if the appropriation |
|
authorizes the money to be used for that purpose. |
|
SUBCHAPTER B. TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT |
|
Sec. 437.051. SUNSET PROVISION. The department is subject |
|
to Chapter 325 (Texas Sunset Act). Unless continued in existence as |
|
provided by that chapter, the department is abolished and this |
|
subchapter expires September 1, 2019. |
|
Sec. 437.052. ADJUTANT GENERAL: JURISDICTION, DIVISION OF |
|
RESPONSIBILITIES, AND QUALIFICATIONS. (a) The adjutant general |
|
exercises the jurisdiction and powers conferred by this subtitle. |
|
The adjutant general is the governing officer, policy maker, and |
|
head of the department. |
|
(b) The adjutant general shall adopt and implement |
|
regulations or policies that clearly separate the adjutant |
|
general's responsibilities from the administrative |
|
responsibilities of the department's executive director and staff. |
|
(c) To be eligible for appointment as adjutant general, a |
|
service member must: |
|
(1) at the time of appointment, be serving as a |
|
federally recognized officer of not less than colonel in the Texas |
|
National Guard; |
|
(2) have previously served on active duty or active |
|
duty for training with the United States Army or Air Force; |
|
(3) meet for the year the appointment is made the |
|
submission requirements of the General Officer Federal Recognition |
|
Board or its successor; and |
|
(4) have completed at least 15 years of service as a |
|
federally recognized reserve or active duty commissioned officer |
|
with an active unit of the United States Army or Air Force, the |
|
National Guard, or the Texas National Guard, including at least |
|
five years with the Texas National Guard. |
|
(d) The appointment of the adjutant general shall be made |
|
without regard to the race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, |
|
or national origin of the appointee. |
|
Sec. 437.053. ADJUTANT GENERAL: DUTIES. The adjutant |
|
general shall: |
|
(1) perform duties assigned by the governor relating |
|
to the military affairs of this state; |
|
(2) assume responsibility for the overall leadership, |
|
management, accountability, and operations of the Texas military |
|
forces, including the transportation of troops, munitions, |
|
military equipment, and property in this state; |
|
(3) oversee the preparation of returns and reports |
|
required of this state by the United States; |
|
(4) maintain a register of all officers of the Texas |
|
military forces; |
|
(5) publish at state expense, when necessary, state |
|
military law and regulations; |
|
(6) make available annual reports concerning the Texas |
|
military forces; |
|
(7) establish reasonable and necessary fees for the |
|
administration of this subtitle; |
|
(8) employ and arm, as the adjutant general determines |
|
appropriate, persons licensed under Title 10, Occupations Code, to |
|
protect property that is under the adjutant general's authority and |
|
to satisfy applicable security requirements; |
|
(9) define and prescribe the kind and amount of |
|
supplies, including operational munitions for use in this state, to |
|
be purchased for the Texas military forces; |
|
(10) prescribe general regulations for the |
|
maintenance of supplies and for the transportation and distribution |
|
of supplies from the place of purchase to camps, stations, |
|
companies, or other necessary places of safekeeping; |
|
(11) have supplies, whether the property of the United |
|
States or this state, properly cared for and kept in good order and |
|
ready for use; and |
|
(12) as the adjutant general determines appropriate, |
|
sell or destroy property and supplies or exchange property and |
|
supplies for other military property and supplies. |
|
Sec. 437.0531. EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY POLICY |
|
STATEMENT. The adjutant general shall adopt a written policy |
|
statement to implement a program of equal employment opportunity |
|
under which all personnel transactions are made without regard to |
|
race, color, disability, sex, religion, age, or national origin. |
|
The policy statement must include: |
|
(1) personnel policies, including policies relating |
|
to recruitment, evaluation, selection, appointment, training, and |
|
promotion of personnel that comply with Chapter 21, Labor Code; |
|
(2) a comprehensive analysis of the department's |
|
workforce that meets federal and state laws, rules, and regulations |
|
and instructions directly adopted from those laws, rules, and |
|
regulations; |
|
(3) procedures for determining the extent of underuse |
|
in the department's workforce of persons for whom federal or state |
|
laws, rules, and regulations and instructions directly adopted from |
|
those laws, rules, and regulations encourage a more equitable |
|
balance; and |
|
(4) reasonable methods to appropriately address the |
|
areas of underuse described in Subdivision (3). |
|
Sec. 437.054. ADJUTANT GENERAL: GENERAL POWERS. (a) The |
|
adjutant general is the decision-making authority on all matters |
|
concerning the location and maintenance of military forces and |
|
facilities in this state. The adjutant general may set priorities |
|
for the construction, renovation, repair, and maintenance of Texas |
|
military forces armories, facilities, and improvements owned or |
|
leased by this state. The adjutant general in this capacity is a |
|
public authority and a body politic and corporate and has all powers |
|
necessary for the acquisition, construction, rental, control, |
|
maintenance, operation, and disposition of Texas military forces |
|
facilities and real property and all associated property and |
|
equipment. |
|
(b) The adjutant general may execute the cooperative |
|
agreements with the National Guard Bureau and an interagency |
|
military agreement with a federal, state, or local governmental or |
|
quasi-governmental agency. |
|
(c) The adjutant general may delegate the authority granted |
|
under this section in whole or in part. |
|
Sec. 437.055. SEAL. The seal of the adjutant general |
|
consists of a five-pointed star with "Adjutant General, State of |
|
Texas" around the margin. |
|
Sec. 437.056. MANDATORY TRAINING FOR ADJUTANT GENERAL. |
|
(a) Before the adjutant general may assume the duties of the |
|
office and before the adjutant general may be confirmed by the |
|
senate, the adjutant general must complete at least one course of |
|
the training program established under this section. |
|
(b) A training program established under this section must |
|
provide information to the adjutant general regarding: |
|
(1) this chapter; |
|
(2) the federal and state programs operated by the |
|
department; |
|
(3) the federal and state roles and functions of the |
|
department; |
|
(4) the regulations of the department, with an |
|
emphasis on disciplinary and investigatory authority regulations; |
|
(5) the current budget for the department, with |
|
emphasis on state and federal funds; |
|
(6) the results of the most recent formal federal and |
|
state audits of the department; |
|
(7) the requirements of: |
|
(A) Chapter 552; and |
|
(B) the federal Freedom of Information Act (5 |
|
U.S.C. Section 552); |
|
(8) the requirements of the conflict-of-interest laws |
|
and other laws relating to public officials; |
|
(9) any applicable ethics policies adopted by the |
|
department or the Texas Ethics Commission; and |
|
(10) the requirements and development of the Master |
|
Cooperative Agreements between this state and the federal |
|
government. |
|
Sec. 437.057. DEPUTY ADJUTANTS GENERAL. (a) A deputy |
|
adjutant general has the rank prescribed by the governor, not to |
|
exceed the grade authorized for federal recognition in the |
|
position. A deputy adjutant general may not be promoted to a rank |
|
higher than that of the adjutant general. A deputy adjutant general |
|
is entitled to the rights, privileges, amenities, and immunities |
|
granted officers of that rank in the Texas National Guard. A deputy |
|
adjutant general may be removed from office by the governor. |
|
(b) A deputy adjutant general shall assist the adjutant |
|
general by performing assigned duties. If the adjutant general is |
|
dead, absent, or unable to act, the deputy adjutant general who is |
|
designated in the adjutant general's succession plan shall perform |
|
the duties of the adjutant general. |
|
(c) Each deputy adjutant general must complete the training |
|
required of the adjutant general as prescribed by Section 437.056 |
|
not later than the 60th day after the date of appointment. |
|
Sec. 437.058. GENERAL OFFICERS. (a) The adjutant general |
|
may appoint as general officers an assistant deputy adjutant |
|
general for army, an assistant deputy adjutant general for air, an |
|
assistant deputy adjutant general for homeland security, and an |
|
assistant deputy adjutant general for government affairs. |
|
(b) A general officer may not be promoted to a rank higher |
|
than that of the adjutant general. |
|
(c) A general officer appointed under this section is |
|
responsible to and serves at the pleasure of the adjutant general. |
|
(d) The assistant deputy adjutant general for the army shall |
|
support the deputy adjutant general for the army, represent the |
|
command staff at events as needed, and manage the activities |
|
assigned by the adjutant general or the deputy adjutant general for |
|
the army. |
|
(e) The assistant deputy adjutant general for the Army |
|
National Guard or the Air National Guard, as determined by the |
|
adjutant general, shall: |
|
(1) coordinate with other state agencies in matters |
|
pertaining to homeland security to ensure state emergency services |
|
are provided and organized to support the state operations center; |
|
and |
|
(2) coordinate homeland security actions taken by the |
|
National Guard Bureau in this state. |
|
(f) The assistant deputy adjutant general for the Army |
|
National Guard or the Air National Guard, as determined by the |
|
adjutant general, shall coordinate activities of the Texas military |
|
forces with the National Guard Bureau 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. |
|
(g) The Texas military forces shall have at least one |
|
traditional Texas Air National Guard general officer and two |
|
traditional Texas Army National Guard general officers to support |
|
the operation and command of the Texas National Guard. |
|
Sec. 437.059. ADJUTANT GENERAL APPOINTMENTS. The adjutant |
|
general, as the adjutant general determines appropriate and with |
|
available funds, may appoint full-time employees of the department, |
|
traditional national guard members, state guard volunteers, or |
|
federal employees. |
|
Sec. 437.060. CONFLICT OF INTEREST PROVISIONS. (a) A |
|
person may not be appointed adjutant general, a deputy adjutant |
|
general, a general officer, judge advocate general, or executive |
|
director if the person is required to register as a lobbyist under |
|
Chapter 305 because of the person's activities for compensation on |
|
behalf of a profession related to the operation of the department. |
|
(b) An officer, employee, or paid consultant of a Texas |
|
trade association in the field of defense or veterans affairs may |
|
not be appointed adjutant general, a deputy adjutant general, a |
|
general officer, judge advocate general, or executive director. |
|
(c) A person who is the spouse of an officer, manager, or |
|
paid consultant of a Texas trade association in the field of defense |
|
or veterans affairs may not be appointed adjutant general, a deputy |
|
adjutant general, a general officer, judge advocate general, or |
|
executive director. |
|
(d) For the purposes of this section, a Texas trade |
|
association is a nonprofit, cooperative, and voluntarily joined |
|
association in this state designed to assist its members and its |
|
industry or profession in dealing with mutual business or |
|
professional problems and in promoting their common interest. |
|
Sec. 437.061. REMOVAL PROVISIONS FOR ADJUTANT GENERAL. |
|
(a) It is a ground for removal that the adjutant general: |
|
(1) does not have at the time of appointment the |
|
qualifications for service required by this chapter; |
|
(2) does not maintain the qualifications for service |
|
required by this chapter; |
|
(3) does not obtain approval of the General Officer |
|
Federal Recognition Board or its successors; |
|
(4) is found to have violated ethical standards of |
|
conduct of the federal government, this state, or the department; |
|
or |
|
(5) cannot discharge the duties required by the |
|
position because of illness or disability. |
|
(b) The validity of an action of the adjutant general is not |
|
affected by the fact that it is taken when a ground for removal |
|
exists. |
|
(c) If a potential ground for removal exists, the deputy |
|
adjutant general with the longest tenure in that position in the |
|
department shall notify the governor that a potential ground for |
|
removal exists. |
|
Sec. 437.062. SALARIES. (a) The adjutant general is |
|
entitled to a salary in the amount designated in the General |
|
Appropriations Act. |
|
(b) A deputy adjutant general, general officer, or |
|
executive director employed under this chapter is entitled to a |
|
salary subject to the classification and salary schedule provisions |
|
defined in the General Appropriations Act. |
|
SUBCHAPTER C. TEXAS MILITARY DEPARTMENT OPERATIONS |
|
Sec. 437.101. EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR. (a) The executive |
|
director is an employee of the department and serves at the pleasure |
|
of the adjutant general. |
|
(b) Subject to Sections 437.052 and 437.054, the executive |
|
director may enter into contracts related to the purposes or duties |
|
of the department and may have and use a corporate seal. |
|
(c) The executive director is responsible for the daily |
|
administration of the department and the operational compliance |
|
with the cooperative agreements between the department and the |
|
National Guard Bureau. |
|
Sec. 437.102. DEPARTMENT PERSONNEL. (a) The executive |
|
director may hire employees as necessary to carry on the operations |
|
of the department. |
|
(b) The executive director or the executive director's |
|
designee shall provide to the adjutant general and to department |
|
employees, as often as necessary, information regarding the |
|
requirements for office or employment under this chapter, including |
|
information regarding a person's responsibilities under applicable |
|
laws relating to standards of conduct for state officers or |
|
employees. |
|
Sec. 437.103. STATE GUARD ADMINISTRATIVE PERSONNEL. |
|
(a) Except as provided by Subsection (b), to be eligible to hold a |
|
position relating to the daily operations and coordination of the |
|
Texas State Guard, an employee must maintain membership in the |
|
Texas State Guard. |
|
(b) For good cause, the adjutant general may exempt a |
|
position from the requirement under Subsection (a) by placing a |
|
letter stating the reason for the exemption in the state human |
|
resources files at the department. |
|
Sec. 437.104. CAREER LADDER PROGRAM; PERFORMANCE |
|
EVALUATIONS. (a) The executive director shall develop a career |
|
ladder program. The program must require intra-agency postings of |
|
all non-entry level positions concurrently with any public posting. |
|
(b) The executive director shall develop a system of |
|
employee performance evaluations. The system must require that |
|
evaluations be conducted at least annually. All merit pay for |
|
department employees must be based on the system established under |
|
this subsection. |
|
Sec. 437.105. AUTHORITY TO MAKE DIFFERENTIAL PAYMENTS. The |
|
department may pay an employee additional compensation for duty |
|
hours other than Monday through Friday normal business hours or for |
|
the ability to legally carry weapons if required for the position. |
|
The department shall adopt regulations to establish the |
|
classification, procedures, and amount of the additional |
|
compensation. The department may make differential payments only |
|
if money is available to pay those amounts. |
|
Sec. 437.106. HISTORICAL PRESERVATION OF RECORDS AND |
|
PROPERTY. Except as provided by other law and in accordance with |
|
all applicable federal and state requirements, the department shall |
|
preserve all historically significant military records or property |
|
in the Texas Military Forces Museum. |
|
Sec. 437.107. REPORTS. (a) The department annually shall |
|
submit to the governor and the presiding officer of each house of |
|
the legislature a complete and detailed written report accounting |
|
for all funds received and disbursed by the department during the |
|
preceding fiscal year. The report must be in the form and reported |
|
in the time provided by the General Appropriations Act. |
|
(b) The department shall provide to the governor in December |
|
of each even-numbered year: |
|
(1) an account of all arms, ammunition, and other |
|
military property owned by or in possession of this state and its |
|
present condition; |
|
(2) a statement of the number, condition, and |
|
organization of the Texas military forces; |
|
(3) suggestions important to the military interests |
|
and conditions of this state; |
|
(4) a list and description of all Texas military |
|
forces missions that are in progress; and |
|
(5) a statement of department plans to obtain and |
|
maintain future Texas National Guard missions, including proposed |
|
missions that are consistent with the United States Department of |
|
Defense's strategies. |
|
(c) Information relating to any current, proposed, or |
|
planned mission that the adjutant general considers to be |
|
classified or sensitive in nature is exempt from the reporting |
|
requirement of Subsection (b). |
|
Sec. 437.108. TECHNOLOGY POLICY. The department shall |
|
develop and implement a policy requiring the executive director and |
|
department's employees to research and propose appropriate |
|
technological solutions to improve the department's ability to |
|
perform its functions. The technological solutions must: |
|
(1) ensure that the public is able to easily find |
|
information about the department on the Internet; |
|
(2) ensure that persons who want to use the |
|
department's services are able to: |
|
(A) interact with the department through the |
|
Internet; and |
|
(B) access any service that can be provided |
|
effectively through the Internet; and |
|
(3) be cost-effective and developed through the |
|
department's planning processes. |
|
Sec. 437.109. EXEMPTION FROM CERTAIN STATE ACTIVITIES. |
|
(a) The department is exempt from the provisions of Chapter 2054 |
|
relating to the oversight of information resources and information |
|
resource manager provisions to the extent the National Guard Bureau |
|
and the United States Department of Defense provide information |
|
technology and communications support to the department. |
|
(b) Notwithstanding any other law, a service member |
|
considered to be a temporary state employee is not considered to be |
|
an employee of the department for the purpose of counting the number |
|
of full-time equivalent positions authorized for the department in |
|
the General Appropriations Act. |
|
Sec. 437.110. POST EXCHANGES ON STATE MILITARY PROPERTY. |
|
(a) The department may establish and contract for the operation of |
|
not more than three military-type post exchanges similar to those |
|
operated by the armed forces of the United States on any real |
|
property under the management and control of the department. A post |
|
exchange may sell, lease, or rent goods and services, including |
|
firearms, tobacco products, prepared foods, and beer and wine but |
|
not distilled spirits. The department may designate facilities |
|
located on state property to use for purposes of this section. |
|
(b) The adjutant general shall adopt regulations to govern |
|
post exchanges established under this section that are similar to |
|
the procedures, policies, and restrictions governing exchanges of |
|
the Army and Air Force Exchange Service, including regulations that |
|
require an individual to show identification indicating the |
|
individual is qualified to buy, lease, or rent goods at the post |
|
exchange. |
|
(c) The department shall contract with a person to operate a |
|
post exchange created under this section. |
|
(d) A post exchange may sell, lease, or rent goods and |
|
services only to: |
|
(1) active, retired, and reserve members of the United |
|
States armed services; |
|
(2) active and retired members of the state military |
|
forces; |
|
(3) full-time employees of the adjutant general's |
|
department; and |
|
(4) dependents of an individual described by this |
|
subsection. |
|
(e) The post exchange services account is a unit fund under |
|
Section 437.211. For purposes of Section 437.211, the commander is |
|
the installation commander. The post exchange services account is |
|
exempt from the application of Sections 403.095 and 404.071. The |
|
account consists of: |
|
(1) money received from the operation of post |
|
exchanges created under this section; and |
|
(2) all interest attributable to money held in the |
|
account. |
|
(f) A post exchange created under this section may sell |
|
goods and services, including beer and wine but not distilled |
|
spirits, for off-premises consumption if the operator of the |
|
exchange holds the appropriate license or permit issued by the |
|
Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. The licensee or permittee |
|
shall comply in all respects with the Alcoholic Beverage Code and |
|
the rules of the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission. |
|
(g) Chapter 94, Human Resources Code, does not apply to |
|
vending facilities operated at a post exchange. |
|
Sec. 437.111. DONATIONS. (a) Except as provided by |
|
Subsections (d) and (e), all money paid to the department under this |
|
chapter is subject to Subchapter F, Chapter 404. |
|
(b) The department may accept funds, property, or services |
|
donated by any public or private entity, including: |
|
(1) a state agency or department; |
|
(2) a political subdivision, including a county, |
|
municipality, or public school district; or |
|
(3) a special purpose district or authority. |
|
(c) The department may solicit and accept gifts, grants, or |
|
donations from any private or public entity to support the Texas |
|
military forces or the Texas Military Forces Museum and may spend |
|
the proceeds consistent with donor limitations and for the use of |
|
the Texas military forces, the museum, or the department. |
|
(d) The department may accept a donation or transfer of |
|
funds from the federal government directly or through another |
|
agency or from an agency or political subdivision of this state. |
|
The funds shall be deposited with the comptroller. The funds may be |
|
used for the legal purposes of the department as provided in the |
|
donation or transfer. The comptroller shall make payments from the |
|
funds on a properly drawn warrant issued by the comptroller on |
|
request of the adjutant general and approval of the governor under |
|
rules adopted by the comptroller. |
|
(e) A unit may accept funds for the benefit of a particular |
|
military unit in a unit fund as prescribed in Section 437.211. |
|
Sec. 437.112. INFORMATION OF INTEREST; COMPLAINTS. |
|
(a) The department shall prepare information of public interest |
|
describing the functions of the department and the procedures by |
|
which complaints are filed with and resolved by the department. The |
|
department shall make the information available to the public and |
|
appropriate state agencies. |
|
(b) The adjutant general shall adopt policies to establish |
|
methods for notifying the public and members of the Texas National |
|
Guard of the department's name, mailing address, and telephone |
|
number for the purpose of directing complaints to the department. |
|
(c) The department shall maintain a file on each written |
|
complaint filed with the department. The file must include: |
|
(1) the name of the person who filed the complaint; |
|
(2) the date the complaint is received by the |
|
department; |
|
(3) the subject matter of the complaint; |
|
(4) the name of each person contacted in connection |
|
with the complaint; |
|
(5) a summary of the results of the review or |
|
investigation of the complaint; and |
|
(6) an explanation of the reason the file was closed, |
|
if the department closed the file without taking action other than |
|
to investigate the complaint. |
|
(d) The department shall provide to the person filing the |
|
complaint and to each person who is the subject of the complaint a |
|
copy of the department's policies and procedures relating to |
|
complaint investigation and resolution unless the notice would |
|
jeopardize an undercover investigation. |
|
(e) The department, at least quarterly until final |
|
disposition of the complaint, shall notify the person filing the |
|
complaint and each person who is the subject of the complaint of the |
|
status of the investigation unless the notice would jeopardize an |
|
undercover investigation. |
|
Sec. 437.113. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCEDURES. |
|
(a) The department shall develop and implement a policy to |
|
encourage the use of appropriate alternative dispute resolution |
|
procedures under Chapter 2009 to assist in the resolution of |
|
internal and external disputes within the department's |
|
jurisdiction. |
|
(b) The department's procedures relating to alternative |
|
dispute resolution must conform, to the extent possible, to any |
|
model guidelines issued by the State Office of Administrative |
|
Hearings for the use of alternative dispute resolution by state |
|
agencies. |
|
(c) The department shall designate a trained person to: |
|
(1) coordinate the implementation of the policy |
|
adopted under Subsection (a); |
|
(2) serve as a resource for any training needed to |
|
implement the procedures for negotiated rulemaking or alternative |
|
dispute resolution; and |
|
(3) collect data concerning the effectiveness of those |
|
procedures, as implemented by the department. |
|
Sec. 437.114. SUPPLIES. (a) The department may purchase |
|
from money appropriated to the department and keep ready for use, |
|
store, or issue a necessary amount of ordnance, subsistence, |
|
medical, signal, engineering, and other supplies. |
|
(b) The department may dispose of or exchange supplies owned |
|
by this state that are unfit for further use as the department |
|
determines is in the best interest of the Texas military forces. |
|
(c) The department shall provide each state military unit |
|
with the arms, equipment, instruction and record books, and other |
|
supplies necessary for performance of the duties required of the |
|
unit by this chapter. The unit shall keep the property in proper |
|
repair and good condition. The department may execute bonds in the |
|
name of this state as necessary to obtain this property. |
|
Sec. 437.115. BIDS. The department shall adopt rules |
|
governing the preparation, submission, and opening of bids for |
|
contracts. |
|
Sec. 437.116. PROGRAM ACCESSIBILITY. The department shall |
|
comply with federal and state laws related to program |
|
accessibility. The department shall also prepare and maintain a |
|
written plan that describes how a person who does not speak English |
|
can be provided reasonable access to the department's programs and |
|
services. |
|
Sec. 437.117. TEXAS CHALLENGE ACADEMY. (a) For each |
|
student enrolled in the Texas ChalleNGe Academy, the department is |
|
entitled to allotments from the Foundation School Program under |
|
Chapter 42, Education Code, as if the academy were a school district |
|
without a tier one local share for purposes of Section 42.253, |
|
Education Code. |
|
(b) The department shall contract with an appropriate |
|
school district for the provision of educational services for |
|
students enrolled in the academy. The school district with which |
|
the department contracts shall be responsible for ensuring |
|
compliance with any applicable regulatory requirements imposed |
|
under the Education Code and enforced by the commissioner of |
|
education and the Texas Education Agency. |
|
Sec. 437.118. USE OF FUNDS TO SUPPORT MILITARY HOUSING AND |
|
TRAINING. (a) The department may use appropriated money to |
|
purchase food and beverages for charged military housing and |
|
training functions required of the Texas military forces. |
|
(b) The department shall maintain and operate charged |
|
military housing in accordance with policies and regulations |
|
adopted by the adjutant general and published on the department's |
|
Internet website. The department shall deposit room fees in a |
|
billeting account. |
|
SUBCHAPTER D. REAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT |
|
Sec. 437.151. REAL PROPERTY ADVISORY COUNCIL. (a) The |
|
real property advisory council is composed of the following eight |
|
members: |
|
(1) two deputy adjutants general; |
|
(2) the executive director; and |
|
(3) five public members who are not actively serving |
|
in the Texas National Guard and who have experience in |
|
architecture, construction management, engineering, property |
|
management, facilities maintenance management, real estate |
|
services, or real property law. |
|
(b) The public members of the advisory council are appointed |
|
to staggered three-year terms by the adjutant general. |
|
(c) The adjutant general shall adopt regulations specifying |
|
the requirements, term limits, and expectations for the advisory |
|
council. |
|
(d) The adjutant general shall designate one of the public |
|
members of the advisory council as the presiding officer of the |
|
advisory council to serve in that capacity at the pleasure of the |
|
adjutant general. |
|
(e) The director of the facilities management office is |
|
responsible for administration and coordination of council |
|
meetings and preparation of materials with input from the council |
|
membership. |
|
(f) The council shall meet at least two times each fiscal |
|
year to advise the department on: |
|
(1) the facility master plan; |
|
(2) the long-range construction plan; |
|
(3) the selection of architecture and engineering |
|
firms; |
|
(4) requests for bonding authority for state military |
|
facilities; |
|
(5) the disposal or sale of department property; |
|
(6) surface leases of department property; |
|
(7) natural resources management plans; and |
|
(8) environmental studies and agreements. |
|
(g) Each public member of the advisory council is entitled |
|
to a per diem as provided by the General Appropriations Act for each |
|
day that the member engages in the business of the council. |
|
(h) Each member of the advisory council is entitled to |
|
reimbursement for meals, lodging, transportation, and incidental |
|
expenses: |
|
(1) under the rules for reimbursement that apply to |
|
the member's office or employment, if the member is a state officer |
|
or employee; or |
|
(2) as provided by the General Appropriations Act if |
|
the member is not a state officer or employee. |
|
(i) The advisory council is not subject to Chapter 2110. |
|
Sec. 437.152. PUBLIC COMMENT. The advisory council shall |
|
develop and implement policies that provide the public with a |
|
reasonable opportunity to at least annually appear before the |
|
council and speak on any issue related to the construction, repair, |
|
and maintenance of Texas military forces armories, facilities, and |
|
improvements under the jurisdiction of the department. |
|
Sec. 437.153. BORROWING MONEY; ISSUING AND SELLING BONDS. |
|
(a) The department may borrow money in the amount and under |
|
circumstances allowed by the Texas Constitution and may request the |
|
Texas Public Finance Authority, on behalf of the department, to |
|
issue and sell fully negotiable bonds to acquire, construct, |
|
remodel, repair, or equip one or more facilities. |
|
(b) The Texas Public Finance Authority may sell the bonds in |
|
any manner it determines to be in the best interest of the |
|
department, except that it may not sell a bond that has not been |
|
approved by the attorney general and registered with the |
|
comptroller. |
|
Sec. 437.154. REPORT OF MILITARY USE OF PROPERTY. (a) If |
|
the department receives notice from the General Land Office as |
|
provided by Section 31.156, Natural Resources Code, the department |
|
shall produce a report evaluating the military use of any real |
|
property under the management and control of the department. |
|
(b) Not later than August 1 of the year in which the |
|
commissioner of the General Land Office submits a report as |
|
provided by Section 31.157, Natural Resources Code, the department |
|
shall submit a preliminary report of the report required under |
|
Subsection (a) to the commissioner of the General Land Office |
|
identifying the real property used for military purposes. Not |
|
later than September 1 of the year in which the commissioner of the |
|
General Land Office submits a report as provided by Section 31.157, |
|
Natural Resources Code, the department shall submit the final |
|
report as required by Subsection (a) to: |
|
(1) the governor; |
|
(2) the presiding officer of each house of the |
|
legislature; |
|
(3) the Legislative Budget Board; and |
|
(4) the governor's budget office. |
|
Sec. 437.155. ACQUISITION; MANAGEMENT; PLEDGE OF RENTS, |
|
ISSUES, AND PROFITS. (a) The department by gift, lease, or |
|
purchase may acquire real property, including leasehold estates in |
|
real property, for any purpose the department considers necessary |
|
for the use of the Texas military forces. |
|
(b) The department may acquire furniture and equipment |
|
suitable for facility purposes by gift, purchase, or construction. |
|
(c) The department may: |
|
(1) hold, manage, or maintain the property; |
|
(2) after the analysis required under Section |
|
437.163(b), if applicable, lease or sell the property; and |
|
(3) pledge all or part of the rents, issues, and |
|
profits of the property. |
|
(d) The department may own and operate or contract with a |
|
vendor to provide temporary lodging facilities for use of military |
|
and retired military personnel. The department shall publish |
|
information on the department's Internet website outlining the |
|
operation, use, and fee structure for temporary lodging facilities. |
|
Out of the money received for operating the temporary lodging |
|
facilities, the department may procure the necessary furnishings, |
|
goods, and services to manage and operate the temporary lodging |
|
facilities. |
|
(e) The adjutant general, deputy adjutant general for the |
|
air, and deputy adjutant general for the army may reside in |
|
state-owned housing and are exempt from paying housing costs. The |
|
department may allocate existing department housing to other |
|
department employees who demonstrate a need based on location and |
|
job description at a rate in accordance with the General |
|
Appropriations Act. |
|
(f) The department shall deposit proceeds from any land |
|
lease or other revenue under this section, other than daily fee |
|
deposits that qualify as unit funds, into the state treasury to the |
|
credit of the department for the use and benefit of the facilities |
|
of the Texas military forces. If any part of these funds remains |
|
unexpended and unobligated at the end of the state fiscal year, that |
|
amount is dedicated for the same purposes in the subsequent year. |
|
Money in the fund may not be diverted for any other purpose. |
|
Sec. 437.156. CONSTRUCTION; FURNISHING AND EQUIPMENT. |
|
(a) The department may construct buildings on real property held |
|
by the department in fee simple or otherwise. The department may |
|
furnish and equip the buildings. |
|
(b) The department may construct a building on land |
|
comprising a site licensed or otherwise provided to this state by |
|
the federal government. If the department constructs a building on |
|
that site, the site becomes the property of the department for all |
|
purposes of this chapter as if the site had been acquired by gift to |
|
or purchase by the department. |
|
(c) Department buildings that are constructed or undergoing |
|
major renovations must include information distribution system |
|
provisions in the contract. |
|
Sec. 437.157. LEASE OF PROPERTY. (a) In this section, |
|
"lease" includes a sublease. |
|
(b) After the analysis required under Section 437.163(b), |
|
if applicable, the department may lease property to any person. |
|
(c) The law requiring notice and competitive bids does not |
|
apply to a lease under this section. |
|
Sec. 437.158. TRANSFER TO STATE. When property that the |
|
Texas Public Finance Authority owns in accordance with Section |
|
437.159 is fully paid for and free of liens and all obligations |
|
incurred in connection with the acquisition and construction of the |
|
property have been fully paid, the Texas Public Finance Authority |
|
shall donate and transfer the property to the department by |
|
appropriate instruments of transfer. The instruments of transfer |
|
shall be kept in the custody of the department. |
|
Sec. 437.159. PROPERTY FINANCED BY BONDS. Notwithstanding |
|
any other provision of this chapter, property used by this state for |
|
military purposes that was acquired, constructed, remodeled, or |
|
repaired using money from bonds and that has not yet been |
|
transferred under Section 437.158 is owned by the Texas Public |
|
Finance Authority and a reference to the department in this chapter |
|
in relation to that ownership means the Texas Public Finance |
|
Authority until the property is transferred. |
|
Sec. 437.160. DONATION OF PROPERTY. The governing body of a |
|
county or municipality, on behalf of the county or municipality, |
|
may donate real property to the department for use as a Texas |
|
military forces facility. The donation may be in fee simple or |
|
otherwise. |
|
Sec. 437.161. TAX STATUS OF PROPERTY. Property held by the |
|
department and rents, issues, and profits from the property are |
|
exempt from taxation by the state, a municipality, a county or other |
|
political subdivision, or a taxing district of this state. |
|
Sec. 437.162. FACILITY ACCESSIBILITY. The department for |
|
new facility construction shall comply with federal and state laws |
|
related to facility accessibility. |
|
Sec. 437.163. DISPOSAL OF CERTAIN SURPLUS REAL PROPERTY. |
|
(a) When department property that is owned or transferred to this |
|
state is fully paid for and free of liens incurred in connection |
|
with the acquisition and construction of the property, the |
|
department may, after conducting the analysis required under this |
|
section, if applicable, properly dispose of the property that is |
|
designated by the adjutant general as surplus. |
|
(b) Before granting or conveying an interest in real |
|
property under this subchapter, the department must conduct an |
|
analysis to determine whether the disposal of property is in the |
|
best interests of the Texas military forces and evaluate whether |
|
each unit of the Texas military forces has adequate facility space |
|
to ensure that ongoing operations are maintained. |
|
(c) To accomplish the purposes of Subsection (a), the |
|
department may remove, dismantle, or sever any of the property or |
|
authorize its removal, dismantling, or severance. |
|
(d) If property under this section is designated as surplus, |
|
the department may sell the property to the highest and best bidder |
|
for cash using either sealed bid or public auction. The department |
|
may reject any or all bids. If the site is considered historical, |
|
the department may evaluate other factors relating to ensuring the |
|
long-term care of the site when selecting the winning bidder. |
|
(e) If property under this section is designated for |
|
exchange, the department may exchange the property for one or more |
|
parcels of land equal to or exceeding the value of the property to |
|
be exchanged. |
|
(f) A sale, deed, or exchange made under this section must |
|
reserve to this state a one-sixteenth mineral interest free of cost |
|
of production. |
|
(g) The department may: |
|
(1) reconvey to the original grantor or donor all |
|
rights, title, and interests, including mineral interests, to all |
|
or part of the land conveyed by that person; and |
|
(2) convey to the original grantor or donor, on a |
|
negotiated basis at fair market value, improvements constructed on |
|
the land reconveyed. |
|
(h) The department shall deposit proceeds of sales under |
|
this section in the state treasury to the credit of the department |
|
for the use and benefit of the Texas military forces. |
|
SUBCHAPTER E. TEXAS MILITARY FORCES |
|
Sec. 437.201. CERTIFICATION OF MILITARY UNITS. The |
|
adjutant general shall issue each unit a certificate stating that |
|
the unit has been duly organized according to the laws and |
|
regulations of the Texas military forces and is entitled to the |
|
rights, powers, privileges, amenities, and immunities conferred by |
|
law and military regulation. The certificate is evidence in a state |
|
court that the unit is duly incorporated. |
|
Sec. 437.202. LEAVE OF ABSENCE FOR PUBLIC OFFICERS AND |
|
EMPLOYEES. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), a |
|
person who is an officer or employee of this state, a municipality, |
|
a county, or another political subdivision of this state and who is |
|
a member of the Texas military forces, a reserve component of the |
|
armed forces, or a member of a state or federally authorized urban |
|
search and rescue team is entitled to a paid leave of absence from |
|
the person's duties on a day on which the person is engaged in |
|
authorized training or duty ordered or authorized by proper |
|
authority for not more than 15 workdays in a fiscal year. During a |
|
leave of absence, the person may not be subjected to loss of time, |
|
efficiency rating, personal time, sick leave, or vacation time. |
|
(b) An officer or employee of this state is entitled to |
|
carry forward from one fiscal year to the next the net balance of |
|
unused accumulated leave under Subsection (a) that does not exceed |
|
45 workdays. |
|
(c) A member of the legislature is entitled to pay for all |
|
days that the member is absent from a session of the legislature and |
|
engaged in training or duty as provided by Subsection (a). |
|
(d) A state employee who is a member of the Texas military |
|
forces, a reserve component of the armed forces, or a member of a |
|
state or federally authorized urban search and rescue team and who |
|
is ordered to duty by proper authority is entitled, when relieved |
|
from duty, to be restored to the position that the employee held |
|
when ordered to duty. |
|
Sec. 437.203. DUAL OFFICE HOLDING. A position in or |
|
membership in the Texas military forces is not considered to be a |
|
civil office of emolument. |
|
Sec. 437.204. REEMPLOYMENT OF SERVICE MEMBER CALLED TO |
|
TRAINING OR DUTY. (a) An employer may not terminate the |
|
employment of an employee who is a member of the state military |
|
forces of this state or any other state because the employee is |
|
ordered to authorized training or duty by a proper authority. The |
|
employee is entitled to return to the same employment held when |
|
ordered to training or duty and may not be subjected to loss of |
|
time, efficiency rating, vacation time, or any benefit of |
|
employment during or because of the absence. The employee, as soon |
|
as practicable after release from duty, must give written or actual |
|
notice of intent to return to employment. |
|
(b) A violation of this section is an unlawful employment |
|
practice. A person injured by a violation of this section may file |
|
a complaint with the Texas Workforce Commission civil rights |
|
division under Subchapter I. |
|
Sec. 437.205. OATH. (a) A commissioned officer of the |
|
Texas military forces may administer oaths for purposes of military |
|
administration. The officer's signature, without seal, and the |
|
title of the officer's assignment is prima facie evidence of the |
|
officer's authority. |
|
(b) A person appointed, enlisted, or drafted in the Texas |
|
military forces shall take and subscribe an oath prescribed by the |
|
adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.206. COMMISSIONS. (a) An initial state |
|
commission in the Texas military forces must be: |
|
(1) in the name and by authority of this state; |
|
(2) sealed with the state seal; |
|
(3) signed by the governor and attested by the |
|
secretary of state; |
|
(4) recorded by the Texas military forces; and |
|
(5) conferred without fee. |
|
(b) On the recommendation of the commanding officer or |
|
noncommissioned officer of the Texas military forces, the governor |
|
may confer on the officer or noncommissioned officer a brevet of a |
|
grade higher than the ordinary commission or brevet held by the |
|
officer or noncommissioned officer for gallant conduct or |
|
meritorious military service. The adjutant general shall specify |
|
the criteria for gallant conduct or meritorious military service. |
|
(c) The governor may confer on an officer in active service |
|
in the Texas military forces who has previously served in the forces |
|
of the United States during a war a brevet of a grade equal to the |
|
highest grade in which the officer previously served. |
|
(d) A commission under Subsection (b) or (c) carries only |
|
the privileges or rights allowed for similar commissions in the |
|
military service of the United States. |
|
(e) The governor, without examination, may appoint and |
|
confer a brevet of second lieutenant on an enlisted service member |
|
who has served well and faithfully in the Texas military forces for |
|
25 years or more. The service member shall immediately be placed on |
|
the retired list. |
|
(f) The governor may delegate the powers granted by this |
|
section to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.207. MILITARY UNIT AS CORPORATE BODY. (a) A |
|
military unit in the Texas military forces is, from the time of its |
|
creation, a body politic and corporate and may: |
|
(1) take, purchase, own, hold, transfer, pledge, and |
|
convey under its corporate name property of a total value, when |
|
acquired, of not more than $200,000; |
|
(2) sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, and |
|
prosecute and defend in court under its corporate name; |
|
(3) have and use a common seal in a form it adopts; |
|
(4) adopt bylaws to govern and regulate its affairs, |
|
consistent with state law and United States law and the orders and |
|
regulations of the governor; and |
|
(5) otherwise act as necessary and proper to carry out |
|
its purpose. |
|
(b) The officers of the unit are its directors. The senior |
|
officer is its president. |
|
(c) The power of a unit to hold or handle property is not |
|
affected by a natural increase in the property's value after it is |
|
acquired. |
|
Sec. 437.208. ORGANIZATION PROHIBITED. (a) Except as |
|
provided by Subsection (b), a body of persons other than the |
|
regularly organized Texas military forces, the armed forces of the |
|
United States, or the active militia of another state may not |
|
associate as a military company or organization or parade in public |
|
with firearms in a municipality of the state. |
|
(b) With the consent of the governor, students in an |
|
educational institution at which military science is a prescribed |
|
part of the course of instruction may drill and perform ceremonies |
|
with firearms in public. The governor may delegate the powers |
|
granted by this subsection to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.209. FOREIGN TROOPS. A military force from |
|
another state, territory, or district, except a force that is on |
|
federal orders and acting as a part of the United States armed |
|
forces, may not enter this state without the permission of the |
|
governor. The governor may delegate the powers granted by this |
|
section to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.210. INTERFERENCE WITH TEXAS MILITARY FORCES. |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person physically and |
|
intentionally hinders, delays, or obstructs or intentionally |
|
attempts to hinder, delay, or obstruct a portion of the Texas |
|
military forces on active duty in performance of a military duty. |
|
(b) An offense under Subsection (a) is a Class B |
|
misdemeanor. |
|
(c) The commanding officer of a portion of the Texas |
|
military forces parading or performing a military duty in a street |
|
or highway may require a person in the street or highway to yield |
|
the right-of-way to the forces, except that the commanding officer |
|
may not interfere with the carrying of the United States mail, a |
|
legitimate function of the police, or the progress or operation of |
|
an emergency medical services provider or fire department. |
|
(d) During an occasion of duty, a commanding officer may |
|
detain a person who: |
|
(1) trespasses on a place of duty; |
|
(2) interrupts or molests the orderly discharge of |
|
duty by those under orders; or |
|
(3) disturbs or prevents the passage of troops going |
|
to or coming from duty. |
|
(e) The commanding officer shall make a reasonable effort to |
|
forward detained individuals to civil authorities as soon as |
|
practicable. |
|
Sec. 437.211. MANAGEMENT OF UNIT FUNDS. (a) The |
|
commanding officer of each unit is the custodian of the unit fund. |
|
The commanding officer shall: |
|
(1) receive, keep, properly disburse, and document the |
|
use of the money in the fund; and |
|
(2) submit to the department an itemized statement of |
|
money received and disbursed during the preceding reporting period: |
|
(A) on September 1 of each year; and |
|
(B) when there is a change of the commanding |
|
officer of the unit. |
|
(b) The unit fund consists of: |
|
(1) donations made to the fund; |
|
(2) rental income from state facilities under the |
|
management of the unit that are leased for less than three days; |
|
(3) revenue received from the sale of goods or |
|
services to members of the unit and visitors; and |
|
(4) depository interest and investment income earned |
|
on amounts in the fund. |
|
(c) A unit fund is a special fund held outside the state |
|
treasury to be administered by the commanding officer of the unit |
|
without further appropriation. A unit fund is not subject to |
|
Chapter 2256. The department shall develop policies and procedures |
|
concerning the administration of the funds. If any part of the fund |
|
remains unexpended and unobligated at the end of the state fiscal |
|
year, that amount is dedicated for the same purposes in the |
|
subsequent year. Money in the fund may not be diverted for any |
|
other purpose. |
|
(d) Chapter 94, Human Resources Code, does not apply to |
|
vending facilities operated for the benefit of a unit fund. |
|
Sec. 437.212. PAY AND BENEFITS FOR STATE ACTIVE DUTY, STATE |
|
TRAINING, AND OTHER DUTY. (a) This state may make suitable |
|
provision for the pay, transportation, subsistence, and housing of |
|
service members on state active duty or state training and other |
|
duty as necessary to accomplish the mission. |
|
(b) Pay and benefits received by service members of the |
|
Texas military forces under this chapter are not a gratuity, but are |
|
compensation for services provided as a condition of membership in |
|
the Texas military forces. |
|
(c) Service members who are state employees when called by |
|
proper authority into a state active duty status or for state |
|
training and other duty status are entitled to the regular benefits |
|
provided by the employing agency and a paid leave of absence as |
|
provided by Section 437.202. |
|
(d) A service member who is not a state employee when called |
|
by proper authority into a state active duty status or state |
|
training and other duty status becomes a temporary state employee |
|
when in this status and is limited to the benefits specified in this |
|
chapter. A temporary state employee status does not apply to a |
|
service member who is a federal civil servant or on active guard |
|
reserve status, including a member serving on orders issued under |
|
Title 10 or 32, United States Code. |
|
(e) A service member compensated under this section is |
|
eligible for state workers' compensation coverage under Chapter |
|
501, Labor Code. |
|
(f) A volunteer in the Texas State Guard who is not a |
|
full-time or part-time state employee and who has been on state |
|
active duty or on state training or other duty for more than 90 days |
|
is eligible to participate in the state group benefits program |
|
under Chapter 1551, Insurance Code, to purchase health or dental |
|
insurance coverage, subject to the following requirements: |
|
(1) the participant must be a member of the Texas State |
|
Guard at the time of enrollment in the group benefits program; |
|
(2) the participant must pay the full cost of health or |
|
dental insurance coverage under the group benefits program and may |
|
not receive a state contribution for premiums; and |
|
(3) an application under this subsection for group |
|
benefit health or dental insurance coverage must be submitted in |
|
accordance with procedures established by the Employees Retirement |
|
System of Texas. |
|
(g) The adjutant general and the Employees Retirement |
|
System of Texas shall coordinate and consult to implement the |
|
benefits program provided by Subsection (f) and shall adopt a |
|
memorandum of understanding to establish: |
|
(1) the procedures that a member of the Texas State |
|
Guard may use to elect to participate in the state group benefits |
|
program; and |
|
(2) an appropriate method to annually confirm |
|
continuing eligibility to participate in the group benefits |
|
program. |
|
(h) A service member who is on active guard reserve status, |
|
including a member serving on orders issued under Title 10 or 32, |
|
United States Code, may not receive state active duty pay or state |
|
training and other duty pay. |
|
(i) A service member who is a federal technician in a paid |
|
status may not receive state active duty pay or pay for state |
|
training and other duty unless the member is on a military leave or |
|
leave without pay status from the federal employment. |
|
Sec. 437.213. CERTAIN BENEFITS AND PROTECTIONS FOR STATE |
|
SERVICE. A service member of the Texas military forces who is |
|
ordered to state active duty or to state training and other duty by |
|
the governor, the adjutant general, or another proper authority |
|
under the law of this state is entitled to the same benefits and |
|
protections provided to persons: |
|
(1) performing service in the uniformed services as |
|
provided by 38 U.S.C. Sections 4301-4313 and 4316-4319, as that law |
|
existed on April 1, 2003; and |
|
(2) in the military service of the United States as |
|
provided by 50 App. U.S.C. Sections 501-536, 560, and 580-594, as |
|
that law existed on April 1, 2003. |
|
Sec. 437.214. MILITARY FUNERALS AND HONORS. (a) On the |
|
request of a person listed in Subsection (b), the Texas military |
|
forces may provide a military funeral and honor service for a |
|
decedent who served in the Texas military forces. |
|
(b) The following persons may request a military funeral and |
|
honor service from the Texas military forces: |
|
(1) the decedent's spouse; |
|
(2) the decedent's adult children, if there is no |
|
spouse; |
|
(3) the decedent's parents, if there is no spouse or |
|
adult child; |
|
(4) the decedent's brothers or sisters, if there is no |
|
spouse, adult child, or parent; or |
|
(5) the executor or administrator of the decedent's |
|
estate, if there is no spouse, adult child, parent, or brother or |
|
sister. |
|
(c) A service member is not eligible for a military funeral |
|
and honor service under this section if the service member is |
|
eligible for a military funeral and honor service under federal |
|
law. |
|
(d) The Texas military forces shall model the military |
|
funeral and honor service after the service provided by the federal |
|
government. |
|
Sec. 437.215. GRAVE MARKERS FOR STATE MILITARY PERSONNEL. |
|
(a) On the request of a person listed in Subsection (b), the |
|
department shall provide a grave marker for a decedent who served in |
|
the Texas military forces. |
|
(b) The grave marker may be requested from the department by |
|
a person described by Section 437.214(b). |
|
(c) A service member is not eligible for a grave marker |
|
under this section if the service member is eligible for a grave |
|
marker under federal law. |
|
(d) The department shall model the grave markers after the |
|
grave markers provided by the federal government. |
|
(e) The department shall publish information about its |
|
grave marker program on the department's Internet website. |
|
Sec. 437.216. SERVICE REFERRAL PROGRAM. (a) The Texas |
|
military forces shall develop a program to provide referrals to |
|
service members for reintegration services. |
|
(b) The program shall: |
|
(1) identify and make referrals to community-based |
|
organizations that have existing programs that provide |
|
reintegration services to service members and their families; |
|
(2) focus on early intervention and appropriate |
|
referral to promote the health of service members and the children |
|
and other family members of the service members; |
|
(3) promote family cohesion and sustainability; |
|
(4) be based on evidence-based best practices related |
|
to meeting the needs of service members and the children and other |
|
family members of the service members; |
|
(5) be provided, when appropriate, in a community |
|
setting through peer counseling and other means effective for |
|
community outreach; |
|
(6) use existing service delivery facilities, |
|
including churches, National Guard Bureau family education |
|
facilities, and veterans centers and support facilities; |
|
(7) use community-based and faith-based |
|
organizations; |
|
(8) be developed and administered in a manner that |
|
promotes collaboration of service providers and results in the |
|
referral of service members, their children, and other family |
|
members to the appropriate federal, state, and community services |
|
for which they are eligible; and |
|
(9) provide information and referral services |
|
regarding the risks and consequences of trauma, including |
|
post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and other |
|
conditions for which service members are at risk. |
|
(c) The Texas military forces shall ensure that: |
|
(1) each person who provides referrals to service |
|
members under the referral program has received sufficient training |
|
to ensure that service members receive accurate information; and |
|
(2) service members are notified in a timely manner |
|
about the service referral program. |
|
(d) In developing the referral program, the Texas military |
|
forces shall consult with the National Guard Bureau, the United |
|
States Veterans Health Administration, the Health and Human |
|
Services Commission, the Texas A&M Health Science Center College of |
|
Medicine, and The University of Texas Health Science Center at San |
|
Antonio. |
|
Sec. 437.217. EXEMPTION FROM FEES FOR DEPLOYED MILITARY |
|
PERSONNEL. (a) A member of the National Guard on federal active |
|
duty, or a member of the armed forces of the United States on active |
|
duty, who is preparing to be deployed to serve in a hostile fire |
|
zone as designated by the United States secretary of defense is |
|
exempt from paying the following state or local governmental fees |
|
the member incurs because of the deployment to arrange the member's |
|
personal affairs: |
|
(1) fees for obtaining copies of: |
|
(A) a birth certificate; |
|
(B) a recorded marriage license; |
|
(C) a divorce decree; |
|
(D) a child support order; |
|
(E) guardianship documents; and |
|
(F) property tax records; |
|
(2) fees for issuing a marriage license or duplicate |
|
marriage license; and |
|
(3) fees for transferring title to real or personal |
|
property. |
|
(b) The governmental entity responsible for collecting a |
|
fee described by Subsection (a) may rely on a letter issued by the |
|
commander of the service member's unit for purposes of providing an |
|
exemption under Subsection (a). |
|
Sec. 437.218. TAX EXEMPTION. (a) An officer or enlisted |
|
service member in the Texas military forces who complies with the |
|
service member's military duties as prescribed by this chapter is |
|
exempt from payment of a road or street tax. |
|
(b) To obtain the exemption, a service member must file in |
|
the county tax assessor-collector's office an affidavit, sworn to |
|
before a notary public or other person authorized to administer |
|
oaths in this state, in the following form: |
|
"I, __________, do hereby solemnly swear or affirm that I am a |
|
service member in good standing of the Texas military forces of the |
|
State of Texas. |
|
Subscribed to and sworn to before me this ______ day of |
|
__________, ______ |
|
SEAL |
|
________________________ |
|
________________________ |
|
Notary Public in and for |
|
__________ County, Texas" |
|
(c) The county tax assessor-collector may rely on a letter |
|
issued by the commander of the service member's unit for purposes of |
|
providing the exemption under this section. |
|
Sec. 437.219. COMPENSATION. (a) Except as provided by |
|
Section 437.220, a member of the Texas military forces who performs |
|
training or other military duty under authority of the United |
|
States Code may not receive pay or allowances from this state for |
|
that duty. |
|
(b) When orders are issued for state active duty or state |
|
training or other duty, a National Guard service member of the Texas |
|
military forces performing the duty or training is entitled, during |
|
the period of the duty or training, to receive pay and allowances as |
|
provided by law for the United States armed forces. Pay is a |
|
stipend for duty or training and is salary or base pay. The pay may |
|
not be reduced because of food, shelter, or transportation that |
|
this state pays or furnishes in connection with the duty or |
|
training. |
|
(c) The adjutant general shall set the daily pay rate and |
|
allowance rate for state active duty and for state training and |
|
other duty for Texas State Guard service members called to duty or |
|
training under this chapter. The rate established by the adjutant |
|
general may not exceed the meal and lodging rate set by the |
|
comptroller by more than $25 per day. The department shall publish |
|
information about the established pay rates on the department's |
|
Internet website. |
|
(d) Duty or training by volunteers in the Texas State Guard |
|
without pay is considered for insurance and state coverage purposes |
|
as if it were duty or training for pay. |
|
Sec. 437.220. SUPPLEMENTAL DUTY PAY FOR ECONOMIC HARDSHIP. |
|
(a) A person who is called to military duty as a member of the |
|
Texas National Guard in the service of this state or the United |
|
States by proper federal or state authority and who suffers an |
|
economic hardship as a result of serving on military duty is |
|
eligible to receive supplemental pay for serving in accordance with |
|
this section. Payment under this subsection is subject to the |
|
availability of funds. |
|
(b) The comptroller shall establish the Texas National |
|
Guard members' supplemental military duty pay account in the |
|
general revenue fund. Money in the account may be appropriated only |
|
for purposes of implementing this section. The comptroller, |
|
governor, or adjutant general may accept gifts and grants for |
|
deposit to the credit of the account. The legislature may transfer |
|
money into the account or may appropriate money to implement this |
|
section and the comptroller shall credit that money to the account. |
|
(c) A member of the Texas National Guard described by |
|
Subsection (a) is eligible to receive supplemental pay under this |
|
section in an amount not to exceed the lesser of: |
|
(1) the amount required to alleviate the economic |
|
hardship the member suffers as a result of serving on active duty; |
|
and |
|
(2) the difference between the amount of income that |
|
the member has lost from civilian employment as a result of being |
|
called to military duty and the amount of military pay and |
|
allowances the member receives from state or federal sources while |
|
on military duty. |
|
(d) The adjutant general shall determine whether a member is |
|
eligible to receive supplemental pay under this section and the |
|
amount of supplemental pay a member may receive. In determining the |
|
amount, the adjutant general shall consider the total amount that |
|
is available for supplemental pay during a period and the probable |
|
total need for supplemental pay during that period. |
|
(e) The adjutant general may adopt regulations to implement |
|
this section, including regulations that prescribe the procedure |
|
for requesting supplemental pay and that prescribe evidence a |
|
member may or must present to demonstrate hardship. The |
|
comptroller, in consultation with the adjutant general, may adopt |
|
rules to govern the manner and method of paying supplemental pay |
|
under this section. |
|
Sec. 437.221. OTHER DUTY AND COMMUNITY SERVICE MISSIONS. |
|
The governor or the adjutant general, if designated by the |
|
governor, may require other duty for officers and enlisted persons |
|
in the Texas military forces. The other duty may include community |
|
service missions. |
|
Sec. 437.222. LIABILITY OF SERVICE MEMBER. (a) A service |
|
member of the Texas military forces ordered into service of this |
|
state by proper authority is not personally liable in the person's |
|
private capacity for any act performed or for any contract or other |
|
obligation entered into or undertaken in an official capacity in |
|
good faith and without intent to defraud in connection with the |
|
administration, management, or conduct of the department in |
|
business, programs, or other related affairs, under the limited |
|
waiver of governmental immunity provided by the Texas Tort Claims |
|
Act (Chapter 101, Civil Practice and Remedies Code). |
|
(b) If a suit is instituted against a service member of the |
|
Texas military forces for an act of the service member in the |
|
service member's official capacity in the discharge of duty or |
|
against a person acting under the authority, order, or lawfully |
|
issued warrant of the service member, the court shall require the |
|
plaintiff to file security for the payment of court costs that may |
|
be awarded to the defendant. The defendant in the case may make a |
|
general denial and give the special matter in evidence. If the |
|
plaintiff is nonsuited or the verdict or judgment is against the |
|
plaintiff, the defendant is entitled to recover three times the |
|
court costs. |
|
(c) If a service member of the Texas military forces is sued |
|
for injury to a person or property occurring in the performance of |
|
or an attempt to perform a duty required by law, the court shall |
|
remove venue of the case to a court in another county not subject to |
|
disqualification if: |
|
(1) the defendant applies for the removal; and |
|
(2) the application is supported by affidavit of two |
|
credible persons stating that they have good reason to believe the |
|
defendant cannot have a fair and impartial trial before the court. |
|
Sec. 437.223. EXEMPTION FROM ARREST. (a) A member of the |
|
Texas military forces may not be arrested, except for treason, |
|
felony, or breach of the peace, while the person is going to or |
|
coming from a place that the person was required to be for military |
|
duty. |
|
(b) This section does not prevent a peace officer from |
|
issuing a traffic summons or citation to appear in court at a later |
|
date that does not conflict with the member's duty hours. |
|
Sec. 437.224. VOTING. (a) A unit, force, division, or |
|
command of the Texas military forces that is engaged in regular |
|
training on a day on which a primary, general, or special election |
|
for a state or federal office is held shall provide time off or |
|
arrange duty hours to permit all personnel to vote in the election. |
|
(b) This section does not apply during war, invasion, |
|
insurrection, riot, or tumult, during imminent danger of one of |
|
those situations, or during annual active duty for training not |
|
exceeding 15 days. |
|
Sec. 437.225. DISCHARGE. (a) A service member may be |
|
discharged from the Texas military forces according to regulations |
|
adopted by the adjutant general or by federal law or regulations. |
|
(b) On termination of the appointment of an officer or |
|
enlistment of an enlisted service member in the Texas military |
|
forces, the officer or enlisted service member shall be given a |
|
certificate of discharge stating the character of the person's |
|
service. |
|
Sec. 437.226. ASSISTANCE FOR TUITION AND FEES. (a) In |
|
this section, "institution of higher education" and "private or |
|
independent institution of higher education" have the meanings |
|
assigned by Section 61.003, Education Code. |
|
(b) To be eligible for assistance for tuition and mandatory |
|
fees under this section, a person must: |
|
(1) be a service member in good standing, as certified |
|
by the adjutant general, of the Texas military forces who is: |
|
(A) an enlisted member; |
|
(B) a warrant officer of a grade from Warrant |
|
Officer One through Chief Warrant Officer Three; or |
|
(C) a commissioned officer of a grade from Second |
|
Lieutenant through Lieutenant Colonel; and |
|
(2) meet any additional qualification established by |
|
the adjutant general to carry out the purposes of this section or to |
|
further the institutional needs of the Texas military forces. |
|
(c) The adjutant general shall grant assistance for tuition |
|
and mandatory fees under this section to eligible service members, |
|
in an amount not to exceed the amount provided in the General |
|
Appropriations Act. The adjutant general may apportion the number |
|
of assistance awards among the components of the Texas military |
|
forces necessary to meet the recruitment and retention needs of |
|
those components. The number of assistance awards made to members |
|
of the Texas State Guard may not exceed 30 for any semester unless |
|
the adjutant general finds a compelling need for additional awards |
|
to members of the Texas State Guard. |
|
(d) Assistance for tuition and mandatory fees may be awarded |
|
under this section for tuition and mandatory fees charged for any |
|
undergraduate or graduate course at an institution of higher |
|
education or private or independent institution of higher |
|
education, including a vocational or technical course. |
|
(e) A service member may not receive assistance for tuition |
|
under this section for more than 12 semester credit hours in any |
|
semester. |
|
(f) A service member may not receive assistance for tuition |
|
and mandatory fees under this section for more than 5 academic years |
|
or 10 semesters, whichever occurs first for the service member. |
|
(g) Before each semester, the department must certify to the |
|
appropriate public and private institutions of higher education a |
|
list of the service members to whom the adjutant general has awarded |
|
assistance for tuition and mandatory fees under this section for |
|
that semester. The amount of assistance awarded by the adjutant |
|
general under this section may not exceed the amount of money |
|
available to fund the assistance awards. |
|
(h) From money appropriated for purposes of this section, |
|
the department shall authorize the comptroller to reimburse an |
|
institution of higher education in an amount equal to the amount of |
|
the exemption from tuition and mandatory fees the institution |
|
grants to a person under Section 54.345, Education Code. |
|
(i) From money appropriated for purposes of this section, |
|
the department shall authorize the comptroller to make a grant to a |
|
service member attending a private or independent institution of |
|
higher education to whom the adjutant general has awarded |
|
assistance for tuition and mandatory fees for the semester under |
|
this section. The amount of a grant under this subsection is an |
|
amount equal to the average amount of reimbursement the department |
|
estimates will be paid per student for the same semester under |
|
Subsection (h). |
|
Sec. 437.227. COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR INJURY. A member of |
|
the Texas military forces who is on state active duty, on state |
|
training or other duty, or traveling to or from the member's duty |
|
location and who is killed or injured while engaged in authorized |
|
duty, training, or travel is entitled to receive compensation and |
|
protections under Title 5, Labor Code. |
|
Sec. 437.228. ISSUANCE AND USE OF UNIFORM AND OTHER |
|
MILITARY PROPERTY. (a) A service member to whom the department |
|
issues a uniform or other military property shall give a receipt for |
|
the uniform or property. The adjutant general shall prescribe the |
|
manner in which the uniform and property shall be accounted for and |
|
kept. |
|
(b) The uniform or other property may be used only for |
|
military purposes. An officer or enlisted service member of the |
|
Texas military forces who is responsible for public property may |
|
not lend the property for private use or permit it to be used for a |
|
purpose for which it was not intended. |
|
Sec. 437.229. UNIFORM. (a) Except as provided by |
|
Subsection (b), the uniform of the officers and enlisted service |
|
members of the Texas military forces is the uniform prescribed for |
|
the United States armed forces with modifications that the |
|
governor, or adjutant general if delegated the authority, considers |
|
necessary. |
|
(b) The Texas State Guard shall wear uniforms that differ |
|
significantly from the uniform of the National Guard, as required |
|
by National Guard regulations. |
|
Sec. 437.230. EXEMPTION FROM LEVY AND SALE. Arms, |
|
equipment, clothing, and other military supplies issued by the |
|
department to units or service members of the Texas military forces |
|
for military purposes are exempt from levy and sale because of |
|
execution for debt or other legal proceedings. |
|
Sec. 437.231. SEIZURE. (a) On a finding by the adjutant |
|
general that a person unlawfully possesses, and refuses or fails to |
|
deliver up, arms, equipment, or other military property issued by |
|
the department for use of the Texas military forces, the governor |
|
may by warrant command the sheriff of the county in which the person |
|
resides or is located to seize the arms, equipment, or other |
|
military property and keep the property subject to the governor's |
|
further order. The sheriff in executing the warrant may invoke the |
|
power of the county. |
|
(b) Each sheriff may collect military arms or property |
|
issued by the department that is liable to loss or in the hands of |
|
unauthorized persons and safely keep the arms and property subject |
|
to order of the governor. The sheriff shall make a report of the |
|
collection to the governor. The sheriff's official bond covers |
|
faithful performance of duties under this subchapter. |
|
SUBCHAPTER F. TEXAS NATIONAL GUARD |
|
Sec. 437.251. COMPOSITION. The Texas National Guard may |
|
not exceed half of one percent of the population of the state except |
|
in case of war, insurrection, or invasion, the prevention of |
|
invasion, the suppression of riot, or the aiding of civil |
|
authorities to execute state law. |
|
Sec. 437.252. LOCAL GOVERNMENTAL ASSISTANCE. Funds, other |
|
property, or services may be donated to a unit of the Texas National |
|
Guard by any public or private entity, including: |
|
(1) a state agency or department; |
|
(2) a political subdivision, including a county, |
|
municipality, or public school district; or |
|
(3) a special purpose district or authority. |
|
Sec. 437.253. PROPERTY FORFEITURE. When the National Guard |
|
Counterdrug Program assists a federal law enforcement agency in |
|
enforcing drug laws, the National Guard Counterdrug Program is |
|
considered to be a law enforcement agency of this state for the |
|
purpose of participating in the sharing of property seized or |
|
forfeited to the United States under federal law. |
|
Sec. 437.254. EMPLOYEES IN TEXAS MILITARY FORCES; EMERGENCY |
|
LEAVE. (a) A state employee called to state active duty as a |
|
member of the Texas military forces by the governor or other |
|
appropriate authority in response to a natural or man-made disaster |
|
is entitled to receive paid emergency leave without loss of |
|
military leave under Section 437.202 or annual leave. |
|
(b) A state employee called to federal active duty for the |
|
purpose of providing assistance to civil authorities in a declared |
|
emergency or for training for that purpose is entitled to receive |
|
paid emergency leave for not more than 22 workdays without loss of |
|
military leave under Section 437.202 or annual leave. |
|
(c) The duty or training under Subsection (b) does not |
|
include duty or training carried out under Section 437.202. |
|
SUBCHAPTER G. TEXAS STATE GUARD |
|
Sec. 437.301. COMMANDER. The commander of the Texas State |
|
Guard is responsible: |
|
(1) for the welfare, strength, and management of the |
|
Texas State Guard; |
|
(2) for the organization, training, and |
|
administration of all Texas State Guard components; |
|
(3) to the adjutant general to ensure the Texas State |
|
Guard missions remain relevant and responsive as a force provider |
|
to this state; and |
|
(4) to field and staff the volunteer components of the |
|
Texas State Guard. |
|
Sec. 437.302. COMPOSITION. (a) The Texas State Guard is |
|
composed of units the governor, or adjutant general if delegated |
|
the authority, considers advisable. |
|
(b) To serve in the Texas State Guard, a person: |
|
(1) must be a resident of this state for at least 180 |
|
days; |
|
(2) must be a citizen of the United States or a person |
|
who has been lawfully admitted to the United States for permanent |
|
residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. |
|
Section 1101 et seq.); |
|
(3) must be at least 18 years of age and not older than |
|
70 years of age; |
|
(4) must undergo a criminal history check; |
|
(5) must not be a registered sex offender; and |
|
(6) must be acceptable to and approved by the governor |
|
or adjutant general under the governor's direction. |
|
Sec. 437.303. GOVERNOR'S AUTHORITY. (a) The governor has |
|
full control and authority over the Texas State Guard. |
|
(b) The governor may adopt regulations governing |
|
enlistment, organization, administration, uniforms, equipment, |
|
maintenance, command, training, and discipline of the Texas State |
|
Guard. The regulations to the extent practicable and desirable |
|
must conform to law and regulations governing the Texas National |
|
Guard. |
|
(c) The governor may delegate the powers granted by this |
|
section to the adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.304. ASSISTANCE. (a) Funds or other property or |
|
services may be solicited by or donated to a unit in the Texas State |
|
Guard by any public or private entity, including: |
|
(1) a state agency or department; |
|
(2) a political subdivision, including a county, |
|
municipality, or public school district; or |
|
(3) a special purpose district or authority. |
|
(b) A public school district may permit the Texas State |
|
Guard to use a school building. |
|
(c) The assistance solicited or received under this section |
|
is governed by the policies and regulations adopted by the adjutant |
|
general. |
|
Sec. 437.305. EMPLOYEES IN STATE GUARD; EMERGENCY LEAVE. A |
|
state employee called to state active duty as a member of the Texas |
|
State Guard by the governor or other appropriate authority in |
|
response to a natural or man-made disaster is entitled to receive |
|
paid emergency leave without loss of military leave under Section |
|
437.202 or annual leave. |
|
Sec. 437.306. USE OUTSIDE STATE; FRESH PURSUIT FROM OR INTO |
|
STATE. (a) Except as provided by Subsections (b) and (c), the |
|
Texas State Guard may not be required to serve outside the state. |
|
(b) The governor, on request of the governor of another |
|
state, may order all or part of the Texas State Guard to assist a |
|
military or civil authority of that state in defending that state. |
|
The governor may recall these forces. |
|
(c) If authorized by the law of another state, an |
|
organization, unit, or detachment of the Texas State Guard, on |
|
order of the officer in immediate command, may continue in fresh |
|
pursuit of an insurrectionist, a saboteur, an enemy, or enemy |
|
forces into that state until the apprehension or capture of the |
|
person or forces pursued or until military or police forces of that |
|
state or the United States have had a reasonable opportunity to |
|
apprehend, capture, or take up the pursuit of the person or forces. |
|
The Texas State Guard without unnecessary delay shall surrender a |
|
person apprehended or captured in another state to the military or |
|
police forces of that state or the United States. This surrender is |
|
not a waiver by this state of a right to extradite or prosecute the |
|
person for a crime committed in this state. |
|
(d) Military forces of another state may continue a fresh |
|
pursuit into this state in the same manner permitted the Texas State |
|
Guard under Subsection (c). The military forces of the other state |
|
shall without unnecessary delay surrender a person captured or |
|
arrested in this state to the military or police forces of this |
|
state to be dealt with according to law. This subsection does not |
|
prohibit an arrest in this state permitted by other law. |
|
Sec. 437.307. FEDERAL SERVICE. This chapter does not |
|
authorize the calling, ordering, or drafting of all or part of the |
|
Texas State Guard into military service of the United States. A |
|
person is not exempted by enlistment or commission in the Texas |
|
State Guard from military service under federal law. |
|
Sec. 437.308. RECORDS; ARMS; EQUIPMENT. (a) The commander |
|
of the Texas State Guard shall maintain and preserve the individual |
|
and unit records of the Texas State Guard and the Texas State Guard |
|
Honorary Reserve. |
|
(b) The governor may request for use of the Texas State |
|
Guard arms and equipment that the United States government |
|
possesses and can spare. The governor, or the adjutant general if |
|
delegated the authority by the governor, may make available to the |
|
Texas State Guard state armories and available state property. |
|
Sec. 437.309. TEXAS STATE GUARD HONORARY RESERVE. (a) The |
|
governor, or adjutant general under the governor's authority and |
|
direction, may transfer to the Texas State Guard Honorary Reserve |
|
an officer or enlisted service member of the Texas State Guard who: |
|
(1) is physically disabled; |
|
(2) is at least 60 years of age; or |
|
(3) has served the federal or state military |
|
satisfactorily for at least 20 years. |
|
(b) The governor may advance the service member one grade or |
|
rank at the time of the transfer into the honorary reserve. For a |
|
service member who is not a general officer, the adjutant general |
|
may advance the service member one grade or rank at the time of the |
|
transfer into the honorary reserve. |
|
Sec. 437.310. TEXAS STATE GUARD UNIFORM AND INSIGNIA FUND. |
|
(a) A special revolving fund is established outside the state |
|
treasury to be known as the Texas State Guard uniform and insignia |
|
fund. The fund may be used only to purchase uniforms and insignia |
|
to be used by members of the Texas State Guard. The fund shall be |
|
administered in accordance with Section 437.211. |
|
(b) The fund consists of: |
|
(1) donations made to the fund; |
|
(2) revenue received by the Texas State Guard from the |
|
sale of uniforms and insignia to members of the guard; and |
|
(3) depository interest and investment income earned |
|
on money in the fund. |
|
(c) If any part of the fund remains unexpended and |
|
unobligated at the end of the state fiscal year, that amount is |
|
dedicated for the same purposes in the subsequent year. Money in |
|
the fund may not be diverted for any other purpose. |
|
SECTION 1.02. Subchapter J, Chapter 431, Government Code, |
|
is transferred to Chapter 437, Government Code, as added by this |
|
Act, redesignated as Subchapter H, Chapter 437, Government Code, |
|
and amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER H [J]. AWARDS |
|
Sec. 437.351 [431.131]. TEXAS LEGISLATIVE MEDAL OF HONOR. |
|
(a) The Texas Legislative Medal of Honor shall be awarded to a |
|
member of the state or federal military forces designated by |
|
concurrent resolution of the legislature who voluntarily performs a |
|
deed of personal bravery or self-sacrifice involving risk of life |
|
that is so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the service member |
|
[person] for gallantry and intrepidity above the service member's |
|
[person's] comrades. Awarding of the medal shall be considered on |
|
the standard of extraordinary merit. The medal may be awarded only |
|
on incontestable proof of performance of the deed. To be eligible |
|
for the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, a service member [person] |
|
must: |
|
(1) have been born in this state; |
|
(2) reside in this state or have been a resident of |
|
this state on the service member's [person's] death; or |
|
(3) have been a resident of this state when the service |
|
member [person] entered military service. |
|
(b) A service member [person] is not ineligible for the |
|
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor because the service member |
|
[person] has received any other medal or award for military |
|
service, including a medal or award made by the United States. |
|
(c) To receive the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, a |
|
service member [person] must be nominated during a regular session |
|
of the legislature by majority vote of all the members of a |
|
nominating committee consisting of: |
|
(1) the adjutant general or the adjutant general's |
|
designated representative; |
|
(2) the lieutenant governor or the lieutenant |
|
governor's designated representative; |
|
(3) the speaker of the house of representatives or the |
|
speaker's designated representative; and |
|
(4) the chair of the standing committee of each house |
|
of the legislature with primary jurisdiction over military and |
|
veterans affairs. |
|
(d) The legislature by concurrent resolution may direct the |
|
governor to award the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor to a service |
|
member [person] nominated by the nominating committee. The |
|
committee chairs serving on the nominating committee shall jointly |
|
prepare a concurrent resolution directing the governor to award the |
|
medal to a service member [person] nominated. The legislature may |
|
direct the medal to be awarded only during a regular session and may |
|
not, during a regular session, direct the medal to be awarded to |
|
more than: |
|
(1) one service member for service in the state or |
|
federal military forces during the period beginning after 1835 but |
|
before 1956; and |
|
(2) one service member for service in the state or |
|
federal military forces after 1955 [person during a regular
|
|
session]. |
|
Sec. 437.352 [431.132]. LONE STAR MEDAL OF VALOR. The Lone |
|
Star Medal of Valor shall be awarded to a member of the military |
|
forces of this state, another state, or the United States who |
|
performs specific acts of bravery or outstanding courage, or who |
|
performs within an exceptionally short period a closely related |
|
series of heroic acts, if the acts involve personal hazard or danger |
|
and the voluntary risk of life and result in an accomplishment so |
|
exceptional and outstanding as to clearly set the person apart from |
|
the person's comrades or from other persons in similar |
|
circumstances. Awarding of the medal requires a lesser degree of |
|
gallantry than awarding of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor, |
|
but requires that the acts be performed with marked distinction. |
|
[Sec.
431.133.
LONE STAR DISTINGUISHED SERVICE MEDAL. The
|
|
Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal shall be awarded to a member
|
|
of the military forces of this state, another state, or the United
|
|
States for exceptionally outstanding achievement or service to the
|
|
state in performance of a duty of great responsibility while
|
|
serving with the state military forces.
|
|
[Sec.
431.134.
OTHER AWARDS. (a)
The adjutant general may
|
|
adopt rules and regulations relating to the:
|
|
[(1)
Texas Faithful Service Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a member of the state military forces who has completed
|
|
five years of honorable service during which the person has shown
|
|
fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to the
|
|
state;
|
|
[(2)
Federal Service Medal, which shall 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;
|
|
[(3)
Texas Medal of Merit, which may be presented to a
|
|
member of the military forces of this state, another state, or the
|
|
United States who performs outstanding service or attains
|
|
extraordinary achievement in behalf of the state or United States;
|
|
[(4)
Texas Outstanding Service Medal, which may be
|
|
presented to a member of the military forces of this state, another
|
|
state, or the United States who has performed service in a superior
|
|
and clearly outstanding manner;
|
|
[(5)
Texas State Guard Service Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a person who completes three consecutive years of
|
|
honorable service in the Texas State Guard during which the person
|
|
has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to
|
|
the state;
|
|
[(6)
Texas Desert Shield/Desert Storm Campaign Medal,
|
|
which shall be awarded to a person who was inducted into federal
|
|
service from the Texas National Guard after August 1, 1990, in
|
|
support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert Storm,
|
|
without regard to the place that the person was deployed while
|
|
serving on active federal military duty;
|
|
[(7)
Texas Humanitarian Service Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a person who:
|
|
[(A)
does not meet the criteria for an award of
|
|
the federal Humanitarian Service Medal;
|
|
[(B)
is a member of the state military forces;
|
|
and
|
|
[(C)
while serving on state active duty or active
|
|
duty under state authority in accordance with Title 32 of the United
|
|
States Code, participates satisfactorily in defense support to a
|
|
mission under civilian authority to protect life or property during
|
|
or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest in the state;
|
|
[(8)
Texas Cavalry Medal, which shall be awarded to a
|
|
person who:
|
|
[(A)
served on or after September 11, 2001, in
|
|
the 124th Cavalry, Texas Army National Guard; and
|
|
[(B)
served in a hostile fire zone as designated
|
|
by the United States secretary of defense;
|
|
[(9)
Texas Combat Service Ribbon, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a member of the Texas National Guard who served, after
|
|
September 11, 2001, in a hostile fire zone as designated by the
|
|
United States secretary of defense;
|
|
[(10)
Texas Purple Heart Medal, which shall be awarded
|
|
to a person who, after September 11, 2001:
|
|
[(A)
was inducted into federal service from the
|
|
Texas National Guard; and
|
|
[(B)
meets the criteria for an award of the
|
|
federal Purple Heart Medal;
|
|
[(11)
Texas Superior Service Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to:
|
|
[(A)
a member of the state military forces who
|
|
has:
|
|
[(i)
completed 30 or more years of
|
|
honorable state service or a combination of state and federal
|
|
service; and
|
|
[(ii)
continually demonstrated superior
|
|
performance and service while assigned to key leadership positions
|
|
demanding responsibility; or
|
|
[(B)
a civilian who has contributed significant
|
|
service to the state military forces;
|
|
[(12)
Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal, which
|
|
shall be awarded to a member of the state military forces who
|
|
served:
|
|
[(A) on or after September 11, 2001;
|
|
[(B)
on state active duty or active duty under
|
|
state authority in accordance with Title 32 of the United States
|
|
Code; and
|
|
[(C)
satisfactorily in defense support to a
|
|
mission in the state under civilian authority;
|
|
[(13)
Texas Iraqi Campaign Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a person who was inducted into federal service from the
|
|
Texas National Guard, without regard to the place that the person
|
|
was deployed while serving on active federal military duty, after:
|
|
[(A)
March 19, 2003, in support of Operation
|
|
Iraqi Freedom; or
|
|
[(B)
August 31, 2010, in support of Operation New
|
|
Dawn; and
|
|
[(14)
Texas Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which shall be
|
|
awarded to a person who was inducted into federal service from the
|
|
Texas National Guard after October 6, 2001, in support of Operation
|
|
Enduring Freedom, without regard to the place that the person was
|
|
deployed while serving on active federal military duty.
|
|
[(b)
A member of the state military forces or a civilian
|
|
described by Subsection (a)(11) may be awarded the Texas Superior
|
|
Service Medal only one time.] |
|
Sec. 437.353 [431.135]. RECOMMENDATIONS. (a) A |
|
recommendation for award of the Texas Legislative Medal of Honor |
|
or[,] Lone Star Medal of Valor[, or Lone Star Distinguished Service
|
|
Medal] shall be forwarded through military channels to the adjutant |
|
general. An individual having personal knowledge of an act or |
|
achievement or exceptional service believed to warrant the award of |
|
one of these medals may submit a letter of recommendation to the |
|
adjutant general. |
|
(b) A letter of recommendation for award of the Texas |
|
Legislative Medal of Honor or Lone Star Medal of Valor must give an |
|
account of the occurrence and statements of eyewitnesses, extracts |
|
from official records, sketches, maps, diagrams, or photographs to |
|
support and amplify the stated facts. |
|
(c) [A letter of recommendation for award of the Lone Star
|
|
Distinguished Service Medal must give an account of the exceptional
|
|
service or achievement, facts, and extracts from official documents
|
|
and photographs to support and amplify the facts.
|
|
[(d)] If the adjutant general determines that a case meets |
|
the criteria established by Section 437.352 [this subchapter] for |
|
award of the Lone Star Medal of Valor [the awarding of one of these
|
|
medals], the adjutant general shall by endorsement recommend to the |
|
governor the awarding of the [appropriate] medal. |
|
Sec. 437.354 [431.136]. AWARDING. The governor awards the |
|
Texas Legislative Medal of Honor as directed by the legislature |
|
under Section 437.351 [431.131]. The governor awards the Lone Star |
|
Medal of Valor[, Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, or any
|
|
other award authorized by this subchapter] on recommendation of the |
|
adjutant general. |
|
Sec. 437.355. OTHER AWARDS. (a) The governor or adjutant |
|
general, if delegated the authority, may adopt policies and |
|
regulations relating to awarding: |
|
(1) the Texas Purple Heart Medal, which shall be |
|
awarded to a service member who, after September 11, 2001: |
|
(A) was inducted into federal service from the |
|
Texas National Guard; and |
|
(B) meets the criteria for an award of the |
|
federal Purple Heart Medal; |
|
(2) the Texas Superior Service Medal, which shall be |
|
awarded to: |
|
(A) a service member of the Texas military forces |
|
who has: |
|
(i) completed 30 or more years of honorable |
|
state service or a combination of state and federal service; and |
|
(ii) continually demonstrated superior |
|
performance and service while assigned to key leadership positions |
|
demanding responsibility; or |
|
(B) a civilian who has contributed significant |
|
service to the Texas military forces; |
|
(3) the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal, which |
|
shall be awarded to a member of the military forces of this state, |
|
another state, or the United States for exceptionally outstanding |
|
achievement or service to this state in performance of a duty of |
|
great responsibility while serving with the Texas military forces |
|
for whom the department receives a letter of recommendation for |
|
award of the Lone Star Distinguished Service Medal that: |
|
(A) gives an account of the exceptional |
|
achievement or service; and |
|
(B) includes facts and photographs, and extracts |
|
from official documents to support and amplify the facts; |
|
(4) the Texas Outstanding Service Medal, which shall |
|
be awarded to a service member of the military forces of this state, |
|
another state, or the United States who has performed service in a |
|
superior and clearly outstanding manner; |
|
(5) the Texas Humanitarian Service Medal, which shall |
|
be awarded to a service member who: |
|
(A) does not meet the criteria for an award of the |
|
federal Humanitarian Service Medal; |
|
(B) is a member of the Texas military forces; and |
|
(C) while serving on state active duty or active |
|
duty under state authority in accordance with Title 32, United |
|
States Code, participates satisfactorily in defense support to a |
|
mission under civilian authority to protect life or property during |
|
or soon after a natural disaster or civil unrest in the state; |
|
(6) the Texas Homeland Defense Service Medal, which |
|
shall be awarded to a service member of the Texas military forces |
|
who served: |
|
(A) on or after September 11, 2001; |
|
(B) on state active duty or active duty under |
|
state authority in accordance with Title 32, United States Code; |
|
and |
|
(C) satisfactorily in defense support to a |
|
mission in the state under civilian authority; |
|
(7) the Federal Service Medal, which shall be awarded |
|
to a service member who was inducted into federal service from the |
|
Texas military forces between June 15, 1940, and January 1, 1946, or |
|
after June 1, 1950, if the service was for more than 90 days; |
|
(8) the Texas Combat Service Ribbon, which shall be |
|
awarded to a service member of the Texas National Guard who served, |
|
after September 11, 2001, in a hostile fire zone as designated by |
|
the United States secretary of defense; |
|
(9) the Texas Faithful Service Medal, which shall be |
|
awarded to a member of the Texas military forces who has completed |
|
five years of honorable service during which the service member has |
|
shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and great loyalty to |
|
this state; |
|
(10) the Texas Medal of Merit, which shall be awarded |
|
to a member of the military forces of this state, another state, or |
|
the United States who performs outstanding service or attains |
|
extraordinary achievement in behalf of the state or United States; |
|
(11) the Texas State Guard Service Medal, which shall |
|
be awarded to a service member who completes three consecutive |
|
years of honorable service in the Texas State Guard during which the |
|
service member has shown fidelity to duty, efficient service, and |
|
great loyalty to this state; |
|
(12) the Texas Desert Shield/Desert Storm Campaign |
|
Medal, which shall be awarded to a service member who was inducted |
|
into federal service from the Texas National Guard after August 1, |
|
1990, in support of Operation Desert Shield or Operation Desert |
|
Storm, without regard to the place that the service member was |
|
deployed while serving on active federal military duty; |
|
(13) the Texas Iraqi Campaign Medal, which shall be |
|
awarded to a service member who was inducted into federal service |
|
from the Texas National Guard, without regard to the place that the |
|
service member was deployed while serving on active federal |
|
military duty, after: |
|
(A) March 19, 2003, in support of Operation Iraqi |
|
Freedom; or |
|
(B) August 31, 2010, in support of Operation New |
|
Dawn; and |
|
(14) the Texas Afghanistan Campaign Medal, which shall |
|
be awarded to a service member who was inducted into federal service |
|
from the Texas National Guard after October 6, 2001, in support of |
|
Operation Enduring Freedom, without regard to the place that the |
|
service member was deployed while serving on active federal |
|
military duty. |
|
(b) A person may be awarded only one Texas Superior Service |
|
Medal. |
|
Sec. 437.356 [431.137]. POSTHUMOUS AWARDS. An award may be |
|
made to a person who has died in the same manner as an award to a |
|
living person, except the orders and citation must indicate that |
|
the award is made posthumously. |
|
Sec. 437.357 [431.138]. DESIGN; RIBBONS. (a) The |
|
department [adjutant general] shall design and have manufactured |
|
the medals, awards, decorations, and ribbons awarded under this |
|
subchapter and others that the adjutant general has approved for |
|
award. |
|
(b) The department may purchase or replace medals, awards, |
|
decorations, and ribbons authorized under this subchapter for the |
|
recipient, the decedent's family, and nonprofit and governmental |
|
entities honoring the recipient or decedent. |
|
(c) The adjutant general shall adopt [rules and] |
|
regulations prescribing when a ribbon may be appropriately worn |
|
instead of the medal it symbolizes. |
|
SECTION 1.03. Subchapter K, Chapter 431, Government Code, |
|
is transferred to Chapter 437, Government Code, as added by this |
|
Act, redesignated as Subchapter I, Chapter 437, Government Code, |
|
and amended to read as follows: |
|
SUBCHAPTER I [K]. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW AND JUDICIAL ENFORCEMENT |
|
Sec. 437.401 [431.151]. DEFINITIONS. In this subchapter: |
|
(1) "Commission" means the Texas Workforce Commission |
|
civil rights division. |
|
(2) "Complainant" means an individual who brings an |
|
action or proceeding under this subchapter. |
|
(3) "Respondent" means the person charged in a |
|
complaint filed under this subchapter. |
|
Sec. 437.402 [431.152]. FILING OF COMPLAINT; FORM AND |
|
CONTENT; SERVICE. (a) A person claiming to be aggrieved by an |
|
unlawful employment practice under Section 437.204 [431.006] or the |
|
person's agent may file a complaint with the commission. |
|
(b) The complaint must be in writing and made under oath. |
|
(c) The complaint must state: |
|
(1) that an unlawful employment practice under Section |
|
437.204 [431.006] has been committed; |
|
(2) the facts on which the complaint is based, |
|
including the date, place, and circumstances of the alleged |
|
unlawful employment practice; and |
|
(3) facts sufficient to enable the commission to |
|
identify the respondent. |
|
(d) The commission shall serve the respondent with a copy of |
|
the perfected complaint not later than the 10th day after the date |
|
the complaint is filed. |
|
(e) A complaint may be amended to cure technical defects or |
|
omissions, including a failure to verify the complaint or to |
|
clarify and amplify an allegation made in the complaint. |
|
(f) An amendment to a complaint alleging additional facts |
|
that constitute an unlawful employment practice under Section |
|
437.204 [431.006] relating to or arising from the subject matter of |
|
the original complaint relates back to the date the complaint was |
|
first received by the commission. |
|
Sec. 437.403 [431.153]. ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION. |
|
The use of alternative means of dispute resolution, including |
|
settlement negotiations, conciliation, facilitation, mediation, |
|
fact-finding, minitrials, and arbitration, is encouraged to |
|
resolve disputes arising under Section 437.204 [431.006]. The |
|
settlement of a disputed claim under this subchapter that results |
|
from the use of traditional or alternative means of dispute |
|
resolution is binding on the parties to the claim. |
|
Sec. 437.404 [431.154]. INVESTIGATION BY COMMISSION. The |
|
commission shall investigate a complaint arising under Section |
|
437.204 [431.006] and determine if there is reasonable cause to |
|
believe that the respondent engaged in an unlawful employment |
|
practice as alleged in the complaint. |
|
Sec. 437.405 [431.155]. LACK OF REASONABLE CAUSE; |
|
DISMISSAL OF COMPLAINT. (a) If, after investigation, the |
|
commission determines that reasonable cause does not exist to |
|
believe that the respondent engaged in an unlawful employment |
|
practice under Section 437.204 [431.006] as alleged in a complaint, |
|
the commission shall issue a written determination incorporating |
|
the finding that the evidence does not support the complaint and |
|
dismissing the complaint. |
|
(b) The commission shall serve a copy of the determination |
|
on the complainant, the respondent, and other agencies as required |
|
by law. |
|
Sec. 437.406 [431.156]. DETERMINATION OF REASONABLE CAUSE; |
|
REVIEW BY PANEL. If, after investigation, the commission |
|
determines that there is reasonable cause to believe that the |
|
respondent engaged in an unlawful employment practice under Section |
|
437.204 [431.006] as alleged in a complaint, the commission shall: |
|
(1) issue a written determination incorporating the |
|
finding that the evidence supports the complaint; and |
|
(2) serve a copy of the determination on the |
|
complainant, the respondent, and other agencies as required by law. |
|
Sec. 437.407 [431.157]. RESOLUTION BY INFORMAL METHODS. |
|
(a) If a determination of reasonable cause is made, the commission |
|
shall endeavor to eliminate the alleged unlawful employment |
|
practice arising under Section 437.204 [431.006] by informal |
|
methods of conference, conciliation, and persuasion. |
|
(b) Without the written consent of the complainant and |
|
respondent, the commission, its executive director, or its other |
|
officers or employees may not disclose to the public information |
|
about the efforts in a particular case to resolve an alleged |
|
unlawful employment practice by conference, conciliation, or |
|
persuasion, regardless of whether there is a determination of |
|
reasonable cause. |
|
Sec. 437.408 [431.158]. NOTICE OF DISMISSAL OR UNRESOLVED |
|
COMPLAINT. If the commission dismisses a complaint or does not |
|
resolve the complaint, the commission shall inform the complainant |
|
of the dismissal or failure to resolve the complaint in writing by |
|
certified mail. |
|
Sec. 437.409 [431.159]. TEMPORARY INJUNCTIVE RELIEF. |
|
(a) If the commission concludes from a preliminary investigation |
|
of an unlawful employment practice arising under Section 437.204 |
|
[431.006] alleged in a complaint that prompt judicial action is |
|
necessary, the commission shall file a petition seeking appropriate |
|
temporary relief against the respondent pending final |
|
determination of a proceeding under this subchapter. |
|
(b) The petition shall be filed in a district court in a |
|
county in which: |
|
(1) the alleged unlawful employment practice that is |
|
the subject of the complaint occurred; or |
|
(2) the respondent resides. |
|
(c) A court may not issue temporary injunctive relief unless |
|
the commission shows: |
|
(1) a substantial likelihood of success on the merits; |
|
and |
|
(2) irreparable harm to the complainant in the absence |
|
of the preliminary relief pending final determination on the |
|
merits. |
|
Sec. 437.410 [431.160]. CIVIL ACTION BY COMMISSION. |
|
(a) The commission may bring a civil action against a respondent |
|
if: |
|
(1) the commission determines that there is reasonable |
|
cause to believe that the respondent engaged in an unlawful |
|
employment practice under Section 437.204 [431.006]; and |
|
(2) the commission's efforts to resolve the |
|
discriminatory practice to the satisfaction of the complainant and |
|
respondent through informal methods have been unsuccessful. |
|
(b) The complainant may intervene in a civil action brought |
|
by the commission. |
|
Sec. 437.411 [431.161]. NOTICE OF COMPLAINANT'S RIGHT TO |
|
FILE CIVIL ACTION. (a) A complainant who receives notice under |
|
Section 437.408 [431.158] that the complaint is dismissed or not |
|
resolved is entitled to request from the commission a written |
|
notice of the complainant's right to file a civil action. |
|
(b) The complainant must request the notice in writing. |
|
(c) The executive director of the commission may issue the |
|
notice. |
|
(d) Failure of the executive director of the commission to |
|
issue the notice of a complainant's right to file a civil action |
|
does not affect the complainant's right under this subchapter to |
|
bring a civil action against the respondent. |
|
Sec. 437.412 [431.162]. CIVIL ACTION BY COMPLAINANT. |
|
Within 60 days after the date a notice of the right to file a civil |
|
action is received, the complainant may bring a civil action |
|
against the respondent. |
|
Sec. 437.413 [431.163]. COMMISSION'S INTERVENTION IN CIVIL |
|
ACTION BY COMPLAINANT. After receipt of a timely application, a |
|
court may permit the commission to intervene in a civil action filed |
|
under Section 437.412 [431.162] if: |
|
(1) the commission certifies that the case is of |
|
general public importance; and |
|
(2) before commencement of the action, the commission |
|
issued a determination of reasonable cause to believe that Section |
|
437.204 [431.006] was violated. |
|
Sec. 437.414 [431.164]. ASSIGNMENT TO EARLY HEARING. The |
|
court shall set an action brought under this subchapter for hearing |
|
at the earliest practicable date to expedite the action. |
|
Sec. 437.415 [431.165]. INJUNCTION; EQUITABLE RELIEF. |
|
(a) On finding that a respondent engaged in an unlawful employment |
|
practice under Section 437.204 [431.006] as alleged in a complaint, |
|
a court may: |
|
(1) prohibit by injunction the respondent from |
|
engaging in an unlawful employment practice under Section 437.204 |
|
[431.006]; and |
|
(2) order additional equitable relief as may be |
|
appropriate. |
|
(b) Additional equitable relief may include: |
|
(1) hiring or reinstating with or without back pay; |
|
(2) upgrading an employee with or without pay; and |
|
(3) paying court costs. |
|
(c) Liability under a back pay award may not accrue for a |
|
date more than two years before the date a complaint is filed with |
|
the commission. Interim earnings, workers' compensation benefits, |
|
and unemployment compensation benefits received operate to reduce |
|
the back pay otherwise allowable. |
|
Sec. 437.416 [431.166]. COMPENSATORY AND PUNITIVE DAMAGES. |
|
(a) On finding that a respondent engaged in an intentional |
|
unlawful employment practice under Section 437.204 [431.006] as |
|
alleged in a complaint, a court may, as provided by this section, |
|
award: |
|
(1) compensatory damages; and |
|
(2) punitive damages. |
|
(b) A complainant may recover punitive damages against a |
|
respondent, other than a respondent that is a governmental entity, |
|
if the complainant demonstrates that the respondent engaged in an |
|
unlawful employment practice under Section 437.204 [431.006] with |
|
malice or with reckless indifference to the state-protected rights |
|
of an aggrieved individual. |
|
(c) Compensatory damages awarded under this section may not |
|
include: |
|
(1) back pay; |
|
(2) interest on back pay; or |
|
(3) other relief authorized under Section 437.415(b) |
|
[431.165(b)]. |
|
(d) The sum of the amount of compensatory damages awarded |
|
under this section for future pecuniary losses, emotional pain, |
|
suffering, inconvenience, mental anguish, loss of enjoyment of |
|
life, and other nonpecuniary losses and the amount of punitive |
|
damages awarded under this section may not exceed, for each |
|
complainant: |
|
(1) $50,000 in the case of a respondent that has fewer |
|
than 101 employees; |
|
(2) $100,000 in the case of a respondent that has more |
|
than 100 and fewer than 201 employees; |
|
(3) $200,000 in the case of a respondent that has more |
|
than 200 and fewer than 501 employees; and |
|
(4) $300,000 in the case of a respondent that has more |
|
than 500 employees. |
|
(e) For the purposes of Subsection (d), in determining the |
|
number of employees of a respondent, the requisite number of |
|
employees must be employed by the respondent for each of 20 or more |
|
calendar weeks in the current or preceding calendar year. |
|
Sec. 437.417 [431.167]. ATTORNEY'S FEES; COSTS. (a) In a |
|
proceeding under this subchapter, a court may allow the prevailing |
|
party, other than the commission, a reasonable attorney's fee as |
|
part of the costs. |
|
(b) The state, a state agency, or a political subdivision is |
|
liable for costs, including attorney's fees, to the same extent as a |
|
private person. |
|
(c) In awarding costs and attorney's fees in an action or a |
|
proceeding under this subchapter, the court, in its discretion, may |
|
include reasonable expert fees. |
|
Sec. 437.418 [431.168]. COMPELLED COMPLIANCE. If an |
|
employer fails to comply with a court order issued under this |
|
subchapter, a party to the action or the commission, on the written |
|
request of a person aggrieved by the failure, may commence |
|
proceedings to compel compliance with the order. |
|
Sec. 437.419 [431.169]. TRIAL DE NOVO. (a) A judicial |
|
proceeding under this subchapter is by trial de novo. |
|
(b) A commission finding, recommendation, determination, or |
|
other action is not binding on a court. |
|
ARTICLE 2. TEXAS MILITARY CONFORMING CHANGES |
|
SECTION 2.01. Subsection (a), Section 7.111, Education |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The board shall provide for the administration of high |
|
school equivalency examinations, including administration by the |
|
Texas Military Department [adjutant general's department] for |
|
students described by Subdivision (2)(C). A person who does not |
|
have a high school diploma may take the examination in accordance |
|
with rules adopted by the board if the person is: |
|
(1) over 17 years of age; |
|
(2) 16 years of age or older and: |
|
(A) is enrolled in a Job Corps training program |
|
under the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 (29 U.S.C. Section 2801 |
|
et seq.), and its subsequent amendments; |
|
(B) a public agency providing supervision of the |
|
person or having custody of the person under a court order |
|
recommends that the person take the examination; or |
|
(C) is enrolled in the Texas Military |
|
Department's [adjutant general's department's] Seaborne ChalleNGe |
|
Corps; or |
|
(3) required to take the examination under a justice |
|
or municipal court order issued under Article 45.054(a)(1)(C), Code |
|
of Criminal Procedure. |
|
SECTION 2.02. Subsection (b), Section 411.121, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) The adjutant general is entitled to obtain from the |
|
department criminal history record information maintained by the |
|
department that relates to a person who is: |
|
(1) a member of the Texas [state] military forces; |
|
(2) an employee of the Texas Military Department |
|
[adjutant general's department]; |
|
(3) an applicant for enlistment in the Texas [state] |
|
military forces; or |
|
(4) an applicant for employment with the Texas |
|
Military Department [adjutant general's department]. |
|
SECTION 2.03. Subsection (a), Section 421.021, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The Homeland Security Council is composed of the |
|
governor or the governor's designee, the speaker of the house of |
|
representatives or the speaker's designee, the lieutenant governor |
|
or the lieutenant governor's designee, and one representative of |
|
each of the following entities, appointed by the single statewide |
|
elected or appointed governing officer, administrative head, or |
|
chair, as appropriate, of the entity: |
|
(1) Department of Agriculture; |
|
(2) office of the attorney general; |
|
(3) General Land Office; |
|
(4) Public Utility Commission of Texas; |
|
(5) Department of State Health Services; |
|
(6) Department of Information Resources; |
|
(7) Department of Public Safety of the State of Texas; |
|
(8) Texas Division of Emergency Management; |
|
(9) Texas Military Department [adjutant general's
|
|
department]; |
|
(10) Texas Commission on Environmental Quality; |
|
(11) Railroad Commission of Texas; |
|
(12) Texas [Strategic] Military Preparedness |
|
[Planning] Commission; |
|
(13) Texas Department of Transportation; |
|
(14) Commission on State Emergency Communications; |
|
(15) Office of State-Federal Relations; |
|
(16) secretary of state; |
|
(17) Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs and Military |
|
Installations; |
|
(18) Senate Committee on Agriculture, Rural Affairs |
|
[Transportation] and Homeland Security; |
|
(19) [(18)] House Committee on Defense and Veterans' |
|
Affairs; |
|
(20) House Committee on Homeland Security and Public |
|
Safety; |
|
(21) [(19)] Texas Animal Health Commission; |
|
(22) [(20) Texas Association of Regional Councils;
|
|
[(21)] Texas Commission on Law Enforcement Officer |
|
Standards and Education; |
|
(23) [(22)] state fire marshal's office; |
|
(24) [(23)] Texas Education Agency; |
|
(25) [(24)] Texas Commission on Fire Protection; |
|
(26) [(25)] Parks and Wildlife Department; |
|
(27) [(26)] Texas A&M Forest Service; and |
|
(28) [(27)] Texas Water Development Board. |
|
SECTION 2.04. Subsection (a), Section 432.072, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person not subject to this chapter commits an offense |
|
if the person: |
|
(1) has been duly subpoenaed to appear as a witness or |
|
to produce books and records before a military court or before a |
|
military or civil officer or peace officer designated to take a |
|
deposition to be read in evidence before a court; |
|
(2) has been duly paid or tendered by the Texas |
|
military forces [adjutant general's department] the fees and |
|
mileage of a witness at the rates allowed to witnesses under Section |
|
432.192; and |
|
(3) wilfully neglects or refuses to appear, qualify as |
|
a witness, testify, or produce evidence that the person may have |
|
been legally subpoenaed to produce. |
|
SECTION 2.05. Subsection (a), Section 432.109, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) The Texas Court of Military Appeals[, located for
|
|
administrative purposes only in the adjutant general's
|
|
department,] consists of five judges appointed by the adjutant |
|
general on the advice and recommendation of the state judge |
|
advocate general for staggered six-year terms. A judge appointed |
|
to fill a vacancy occurring before the expiration of the term for |
|
which the judge's predecessor was appointed shall be appointed only |
|
for the unexpired term of his predecessor. The adjutant general, on |
|
the advice and recommendation of the state judge advocate general, |
|
shall appoint the chief judge of the court. A person is eligible |
|
for appointment to the court if the person: |
|
(1) is a member of the State Bar of Texas; |
|
(2) is a commissioned officer of the Texas [state] |
|
military forces, active or retired, or a retired commissioned |
|
officer in the reserves of the armed forces of the United States; |
|
and |
|
(3) has been engaged in the active practice of law for |
|
at least five years and has at least five years' experience as a |
|
staff judge advocate, judge advocate, or legal officer with the |
|
Texas [state] military forces, except that the requirements of this |
|
subdivision are satisfied by equivalent experience or practice in |
|
the armed forces of the United States. |
|
SECTION 2.06. Subsection (b), Section 432.192, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A person not in the employ of this state and not |
|
belonging to its active military forces, who has been duly summoned |
|
to appear as a witness before a military court, is entitled to |
|
receive $50 a day for each day actually in attendance on the court, |
|
and 12 cents a mile for going from his place of residence to the |
|
place of trial or hearing, and 12 cents a mile for returning. |
|
Civilian witnesses will be paid by the Texas military forces |
|
[adjutant general's department]. |
|
SECTION 2.07. Section 432.194, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 432.194. EXPENSES OF ADMINISTRATION. The adjutant |
|
general may pay all expenses incurred in the administration of |
|
state military justice, including the expenses of courts-martial |
|
and expenses incurred under Sections 432.109, 432.184, and 432.192, |
|
from any funds appropriated to the Texas military forces [adjutant
|
|
general's department]. |
|
SECTION 2.08. Section 434.153, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 434.153. COMPOSITION OF COUNCIL. The council is |
|
composed of the executive head of the following agencies, or that |
|
person's designated representative: |
|
(1) the Texas Veterans Commission; |
|
(2) the Veterans' Land Board; |
|
(3) the Texas Military Department [adjutant general's
|
|
department]; |
|
(4) the Health and Human Services Commission; and |
|
(5) the State Bar of Texas. |
|
SECTION 2.09. Subsection (a), Section 1232.101, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) With respect to all bonds authorized to be issued by or |
|
on behalf of the Texas Military Department [adjutant general's
|
|
department], Parks and Wildlife Department, Texas Agricultural |
|
Finance Authority, Texas Low-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal |
|
Authority, Midwestern State University, and Texas Southern |
|
University, the authority has the exclusive authority to act on |
|
behalf of those entities in issuing bonds on their behalf. In |
|
connection with those issuances and with the issuance of refunding |
|
bonds on behalf of those entities, the authority is subject to all |
|
rights, duties, and conditions surrounding issuance previously |
|
applicable to the issuing entity under the statute authorizing the |
|
issuance. A reference in an authorizing statute to the entity on |
|
whose behalf the bonds are being issued applies equally to the |
|
authority in its capacity as issuer on behalf of the entity. |
|
SECTION 2.10. Subsection (d), Section 161.552, Health and |
|
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) The department and commission shall develop and |
|
maintain the directory in collaboration with local, state, and |
|
national private and government organizations, including: |
|
(1) the United States Veterans Health Administration; |
|
(2) the United States Department of Defense; |
|
(3) the Texas military forces [adjutant general's
|
|
department]; |
|
(4) the Texas Veterans Commission; and |
|
(5) other public and private national and |
|
community-based organizations that provide support to |
|
servicemembers and their families. |
|
SECTION 2.11. Section 412.0128, Labor Code, is amended to |
|
read as follows: |
|
Sec. 412.0128. CONFIDENTIALITY OF [INJURY] INFORMATION. |
|
Information in or derived from a workers' compensation claim file |
|
regarding an employee, and information in or derived from a risk |
|
management review related to facility security or continuity of |
|
operations of the Texas military forces, is confidential and may |
|
not be disclosed by the office except as provided by this subchapter |
|
or other law. Classified or sensitive information of the Texas |
|
military forces specifically preempted from disclosure by federal |
|
law retains the confidentiality protection provided by this section |
|
for all purposes, including disclosure to the office. |
|
SECTION 2.12. Subsection (e), Section 31.156, Natural |
|
Resources Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(e) In any year that the division will evaluate real |
|
property under the management and control of the Texas Military |
|
Department [adjutant general's department], the division shall |
|
notify the department before the division begins the evaluation. |
|
SECTION 2.13. Subsection (d), Section 31.157, Natural |
|
Resources Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) If under the Texas Military Department's [adjutant
|
|
general's] report submitted as provided by Section 437.154 |
|
[431.030], Government Code, the department [adjutant general] |
|
determines that real property under the management and control of |
|
the [adjutant general's] department is used for military purposes, |
|
the commissioner may not recommend a real estate transaction |
|
involving that real property in the final report submitted as |
|
provided by Subsection (e). |
|
SECTION 2.14. Subsections (b), (c), and (d), Section |
|
74.404, Property Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) A military award or decoration delivered to the |
|
comptroller under this chapter: |
|
(1) may not be sold under Section 74.401 or destroyed; |
|
and |
|
(2) shall be delivered by the comptroller to the Texas |
|
military forces [adjutant general's department]. |
|
(c) The Texas military forces [adjutant general's
|
|
department] shall conduct a reasonable search of public records to |
|
locate the person to whom the military award or decoration was |
|
awarded. If the department cannot locate the person, the |
|
department shall attempt to locate the person's next of kin. If the |
|
department locates the person or the person's next of kin, the |
|
department shall deliver the award or decoration to the person or |
|
the person's next of kin, as applicable. |
|
(d) If the Texas military forces [adjutant general's
|
|
department] cannot locate the person to whom a military award or |
|
decoration was awarded or the person's next of kin, the award or |
|
decoration shall be held in trust for the comptroller at: |
|
(1) a museum established by the department; or |
|
(2) if no museum exists, any other public facility |
|
designated by the department. |
|
ARTICLE 3. CONFORMING AMENDMENTS |
|
SECTION 3.01. Subsection (a), Section 721.002, Business & |
|
Commerce Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) A person commits an offense if the person uses, in an |
|
advertisement for a commercial purpose, the name of an individual |
|
who is an active duty or former member of the United States armed |
|
forces, who is a member or former member of a reserve component of |
|
the United States armed forces, or who is a member or former member |
|
of the state military forces, as defined by Section 437.001 |
|
[431.001], Government Code, or a picture of the individual in |
|
uniform in which the individual is clearly identifiable, without |
|
obtaining the consent of: |
|
(1) the individual, if the individual is living; or |
|
(2) the individual's surviving spouse or personal |
|
representative or a majority of the individual's adult heirs, if |
|
the individual is deceased. |
|
SECTION 3.02. Subsection (a), Section 54.345, Education |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) For each semester, the adjutant general of the state |
|
military forces shall certify to institutions of higher education |
|
as described by Section 437.226 [431.090], Government Code, |
|
information identifying the persons to whom the adjutant general |
|
has awarded assistance for tuition and mandatory fees under that |
|
section. |
|
SECTION 3.03. Subsection (a), Section 411.121, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section: |
|
(1) "Adjutant general" has the meaning assigned by |
|
Section 437.001 [431.022]. |
|
(2) "State military forces" has the meaning assigned |
|
by Section 437.001 [431.001]. |
|
SECTION 3.04. Subsection (a), Section 411.1881, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) Notwithstanding any other provision of this subchapter, |
|
a person may not be required to complete the range instruction |
|
portion of a handgun proficiency course to obtain or renew a |
|
concealed handgun license issued under this subchapter if the |
|
person: |
|
(1) is currently serving in or is honorably discharged |
|
from: |
|
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or |
|
marine corps of the United States or an auxiliary service or reserve |
|
unit of one of those branches of the armed forces; or |
|
(B) the Texas [state] military forces, as defined |
|
by Section 437.001 [431.001]; and |
|
(2) has, within the five years preceding the date of |
|
the person's application for an original or renewed license, as |
|
applicable, completed a course of training in handgun proficiency |
|
or familiarization as part of the person's service with the armed |
|
forces or Texas [state] military forces. |
|
SECTION 3.05. Subsection (a), Section 411.1951, Government |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who: |
|
(1) has served in: |
|
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or |
|
marine corps of the United States; |
|
(B) the Texas [state] military forces as defined |
|
by Section 437.001 [431.001]; or |
|
(C) an auxiliary service of one of those branches |
|
of the armed forces; and |
|
(2) has been honorably discharged from the branch of |
|
the service in which the person served. |
|
SECTION 3.06. Section 418.006, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 418.006. CIVIL LIABILITY. An officer or employee of a |
|
state or local agency, or a volunteer acting at the direction of an |
|
officer or employee of a state or local agency, is considered for |
|
purposes of Section 437.222 [431.085] to be a member of the Texas |
|
[state] military forces ordered into active service of the state by |
|
proper authority and is considered to be discharging a duty in that |
|
capacity if the person is performing an activity related to |
|
sheltering or housing individuals in connection with the evacuation |
|
of an area stricken or threatened by disaster. |
|
SECTION 3.07. Subsections (a), (b), and (d), Section |
|
421.061, Government Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) An officer or employee of a state or local agency |
|
performing a homeland security activity or a volunteer performing a |
|
homeland security activity at the request or under the direction of |
|
an officer or employee of a state or local agency is considered for |
|
purposes of Section 437.222 [431.085] to be a member of the Texas |
|
[state] military forces ordered into active service of the state by |
|
proper authority and is considered to be discharging a duty in that |
|
capacity if: |
|
(1) the officer, employee, or volunteer is performing |
|
the homeland security activity under procedures prescribed or |
|
circumstances described for the purpose of this section in the |
|
governor's homeland security strategy; |
|
(2) in the case of a volunteer, the volunteer is acting |
|
within the course and scope of the request or direction of the |
|
officer or employee of the state or local agency; and |
|
(3) in the case of an officer or employee of a state or |
|
local agency, the officer or employee is acting within the course |
|
and scope of the person's authority. |
|
(b) A person described by Subsection (a) is not immune from |
|
civil liability under Section 437.222 [431.085] for damages |
|
resulting from the performance of a homeland security activity if, |
|
under the circumstances, the person's performance of the homeland |
|
security activity was wilfully or wantonly negligent or done with |
|
conscious indifference or reckless disregard for the safety of |
|
persons this chapter is intended to protect. |
|
(d) This section does not affect the application of Section |
|
437.222 [431.085] on its own terms to a person who is a member of the |
|
Texas [state] military forces ordered into active service of the |
|
state by proper authority under other law. |
|
SECTION 3.08. Section 661.903, Government Code, is amended |
|
to read as follows: |
|
Sec. 661.903. NATIONAL GUARD EMERGENCY. A state employee |
|
who is called to state active duty as a member of the Texas [state] |
|
military forces by the governor because of an emergency is entitled |
|
to a leave of absence without a deduction in salary in accordance |
|
with Section 437.254 [431.0825]. A state employee who is called to |
|
federal active duty as a member of the Texas [state] military forces |
|
may not receive the employee's state salary except as provided by |
|
Sections 661.904(d) and (f) and 661.9041. |
|
SECTION 3.09. Subsection (b), Section 1232.1025, |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) After receiving a request under Section 437.153 |
|
[431.0292 or 431.0302(c)], the board shall promptly issue and sell |
|
bonds in the name of the authority to provide the requested |
|
financing. |
|
SECTION 3.10. Subdivision (2), Section 2308.251, |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(2) "Veteran" means a person who: |
|
(A) has served in: |
|
(i) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, |
|
or marine corps of the United States or the United States Public |
|
Health Service under 42 U.S.C. Section 201 et seq., as amended; |
|
(ii) the Texas [state] military forces as |
|
defined by Section 437.001 [431.001]; or |
|
(iii) an auxiliary service of one of those |
|
branches of the armed forces; and |
|
(B) has been honorably discharged from the branch |
|
of the service in which the person served. |
|
SECTION 3.11. Subdivision (3), Section 161.551, Health and |
|
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(3) "Servicemember" means [a resident of this state
|
|
who is] a member or former member of the state military forces or a |
|
component of the United States armed forces, including a reserve |
|
component. In this section, "state military forces" has the |
|
meaning assigned by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code. |
|
SECTION 3.12. Subsections (d) and (e), Section 775.039, |
|
Health and Safety Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(d) The differential pay provided by Subsection (a) begins |
|
when the benefits allowed under Section 437.202 [431.005], |
|
Government Code, are exhausted and continues until the employee's |
|
active military duty terminates. |
|
(e) The board may extend the insurance benefits provided by |
|
the district to a district employee who is a member of the state |
|
military forces or a reserve component of the United States armed |
|
forces who is called to active duty and to the employee's |
|
dependents. The extension period begins when the benefits allowed |
|
under Section 437.202 [431.005], Government Code, are exhausted and |
|
continues until the employee's active military duty terminates. |
|
SECTION 3.13. Subsection (a), Section 1001.076, Health and |
|
Safety Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who: |
|
(1) has served in: |
|
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or |
|
marine corps of the United States; |
|
(B) the state military forces as defined by |
|
Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code; or |
|
(C) an auxiliary service of one of those branches |
|
of the armed forces; and |
|
(2) has been honorably discharged from the branch of |
|
the service in which the person served. |
|
SECTION 3.14. Subsection (a), Section 408.0445, Labor Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) For purposes of computing income benefits or death |
|
benefits under Section 437.227 [431.104], Government Code, the |
|
average weekly wage of a member of the state military forces as |
|
defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code, who is |
|
engaged in authorized training or duty is an amount equal to the sum |
|
of the member's regular weekly wage at any employment the member |
|
holds in addition to serving as a member of the state military |
|
forces, disregarding any period during which the member is not |
|
fully compensated for that employment because the member is engaged |
|
in authorized military training or duty, and the member's regular |
|
weekly wage as a member of the state military forces, except that |
|
the amount may not exceed 100 percent of the state average weekly |
|
wage as determined under Section 408.047. |
|
SECTION 3.15. Subdivision (5), Section 501.001, Labor Code, |
|
is amended to read as follows: |
|
(5) "Employee" means a person who is: |
|
(A) in the service of the state pursuant to an |
|
election, appointment, or express oral or written contract of hire; |
|
(B) paid from state funds but whose duties |
|
require that the person work and frequently receive supervision in |
|
a political subdivision of the state; |
|
(C) a peace officer employed by a political |
|
subdivision, while the peace officer is exercising authority |
|
granted under: |
|
(i) Article 2.12, Code of Criminal |
|
Procedure; or |
|
(ii) Articles 14.03(d) and (g), Code of |
|
Criminal Procedure; |
|
(D) a member of the state military forces, as |
|
defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code, who is |
|
engaged in authorized training or duty; or |
|
(E) a Texas Task Force 1 member, as defined by |
|
Section 88.301, Education Code, who is activated by the Texas |
|
Division of Emergency Management or is injured during training |
|
sponsored or sanctioned by Texas Task Force 1. |
|
SECTION 3.16. Subsection (a), Section 392.067, Local |
|
Government Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who has served |
|
on active duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the |
|
state military forces as defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], |
|
Government Code. |
|
SECTION 3.17. Subdivision (1), Section 1804.001, |
|
Occupations Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(1) "Veteran" means a person who has served on active |
|
duty in the armed forces of the United States or in the state |
|
military forces as defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government |
|
Code. |
|
SECTION 3.18. Subdivision (2), Subsection (a), Section |
|
31.121, Parks and Wildlife Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(2) "State military forces" has the meaning assigned |
|
by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code. |
|
SECTION 3.19. Subdivision (2), Subsection (a), Section |
|
32.54, Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(2) "State military forces" has the meaning assigned |
|
by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code. |
|
SECTION 3.20. Subsections (b), (d), and (f), Section 46.15, |
|
Penal Code, are amended to read as follows: |
|
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who: |
|
(1) is in the actual discharge of official duties as a |
|
member of the armed forces or state military forces as defined by |
|
Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code, or as a guard employed |
|
by a penal institution; |
|
(2) is traveling; |
|
(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other |
|
sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is |
|
conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's |
|
residence, motor vehicle, or watercraft, if the weapon is a type |
|
commonly used in the activity; |
|
(4) holds a security officer commission issued by the |
|
Texas Private Security Board, if the person is engaged in the |
|
performance of the person's duties as an officer commissioned under |
|
Chapter 1702, Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the |
|
person's place of assignment and is wearing the officer's uniform |
|
and carrying the officer's weapon in plain view; |
|
(5) acts as a personal protection officer and carries |
|
the person's security officer commission and personal protection |
|
officer authorization, if the person: |
|
(A) is engaged in the performance of the person's |
|
duties as a personal protection officer under Chapter 1702, |
|
Occupations Code, or is traveling to or from the person's place of |
|
assignment; and |
|
(B) is either: |
|
(i) wearing the uniform of a security |
|
officer, including any uniform or apparel described by Section |
|
1702.323(d), Occupations Code, and carrying the officer's weapon in |
|
plain view; or |
|
(ii) not wearing the uniform of a security |
|
officer and carrying the officer's weapon in a concealed manner; |
|
(6) is carrying a concealed handgun and a valid |
|
license issued under Subchapter H, Chapter 411, Government Code, to |
|
carry a concealed handgun of the same category as the handgun the |
|
person is carrying; |
|
(7) holds an alcoholic beverage permit or license or |
|
is an employee of a holder of an alcoholic beverage permit or |
|
license if the person is supervising the operation of the permitted |
|
or licensed premises; or |
|
(8) is a student in a law enforcement class engaging in |
|
an activity required as part of the class, if the weapon is a type |
|
commonly used in the activity and the person is: |
|
(A) on the immediate premises where the activity |
|
is conducted; or |
|
(B) en route between those premises and the |
|
person's residence and is carrying the weapon unloaded. |
|
(d) The provisions of Section 46.02 prohibiting the |
|
carrying of a firearm or carrying of a club do not apply to a public |
|
security officer employed by the adjutant general under Section |
|
437.053 [431.029], Government Code, in performance of official |
|
duties or while traveling to or from a place of duty. |
|
(f) Section 46.03(a)(6) does not apply to a person who |
|
possesses a firearm or club while in the actual discharge of |
|
official duties as: |
|
(1) a member of the armed forces or state military |
|
forces, as defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code; |
|
or |
|
(2) an employee of a penal institution. |
|
SECTION 3.21. Section 151.344, Tax Code, is amended to read |
|
as follows: |
|
Sec. 151.344. POST EXCHANGES ON STATE MILITARY PROPERTY. |
|
(a) A taxable item sold, leased, or rented to, or stored, used, or |
|
consumed by, a post exchange under Section 437.110 [431.040], |
|
Government Code, is exempt from the taxes imposed by this chapter. |
|
(b) A taxable item sold, leased, or rented by a post |
|
exchange under Section 437.110 [431.040], Government Code, is |
|
exempt from the taxes imposed by this chapter. |
|
SECTION 3.22. Subsection (a), Section 521.1235, |
|
Transportation Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(a) In this section, "veteran" means a person who: |
|
(1) has served in: |
|
(A) the army, navy, air force, coast guard, or |
|
marine corps of the United States; or |
|
(B) the Texas National Guard as defined by |
|
Section 437.001 [431.001], Government Code; and |
|
(2) has been honorably discharged from the branch of |
|
the service in which the person served. |
|
SECTION 3.23. Subsection (g), Section 36.354, Utilities |
|
Code, is amended to read as follows: |
|
(g) For the purposes of this section, the term "military |
|
base" does not include a military base: |
|
(1) that has been closed or realigned under the |
|
Defense Base Closure and Realignment Act of 1990 (10 U.S.C. Section |
|
2687) and its subsequent amendments; |
|
(2) that is administered by an authority established |
|
by a municipality under Chapter 379B [378], Local Government Code |
|
[, as added by Chapter 1221, Acts of the 76th Legislature, Regular
|
|
Session, 1999]; |
|
(3) that is operated by or for the benefit of the Texas |
|
National Guard, as defined by Section 437.001 [431.001], Government |
|
Code, unless the base is served by a municipally owned utility owned |
|
by a city with a population of 650,000 or more; or |
|
(4) for which a municipally owned utility has acquired |
|
the electric distribution system under 10 U.S.C. Section 2688. |
|
ARTICLE 4. REPEALER AND EFFECTIVE DATE |
|
SECTION 4.01. The following provisions of the Government |
|
Code are repealed: |
|
(1) Sections 431.002, 431.003, 431.004, 431.005, |
|
431.0055, 431.006, 431.007, 431.008, 431.009, 431.010, 431.011, |
|
431.012, 431.013, 431.014, 431.015, 431.016, 431.017, 431.0175, |
|
431.018, and 431.0185; and |
|
(2) Subchapters B, C, D, F, G, and I, Chapter 431. |
|
SECTION 4.02. This Act takes effect September 1, 2013. |
|
|
|
* * * * * |