S.B. No. 2135
AN ACT
relating to a monument dedicated to members of the armed forces from
this state who died in combat.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Section 2165.2561, Government Code, is amended
by adding Subsection (v) to read as follows:
(v) The State Cemetery Committee shall erect a flagpole and
an appropriate monument in the military monument area of the State
Cemetery dedicated to military personnel from the state who are
killed while serving in a combat zone. When the committee is
notified by the Texas Veterans Commission that a member of the
United States armed forces from the state was killed while serving
in a combat zone, the committee shall ensure that the flag at the
monument is displayed at half-staff for an appropriate period as a
mark of respect to the memory of the deceased member of the armed
forces.
SECTION 2. Subchapter A, Chapter 434, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 434.020 to read as follows:
Sec. 434.020. NOTICE TO STATE CEMETERY COMMITTEE OF
SERVICEMEMBER'S DEATH. The Texas Veterans Commission shall notify
the State Cemetery Committee as soon as practicable after the
commission receives notice of the death of a member of the United
States armed forces from the state who is killed while serving in a
combat zone.
SECTION 3. The State Cemetery Committee shall consult with
the standing committees of each house of the legislature with
jurisdiction over military and veterans matters in planning the
monument required under Subsection (v), Section 2165.2561,
Government Code, as added by this Act.
SECTION 4. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives
a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as
provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this
Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this
Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
______________________________ ______________________________
President of the Senate Speaker of the House
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2135 passed the Senate on
April 30, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 31, Nays 0.
______________________________
Secretary of the Senate
I hereby certify that S.B. No. 2135 passed the House on
May 27, 2009, by the following vote: Yeas 148, Nays 0, one
present not voting.
______________________________
Chief Clerk of the House
Approved:
______________________________
Date
______________________________
Governor