SB2053

A recipient must be a Texas resident and meet at least one of three routes: honorable retirement from public service in state or local government; extraordinary contributions to Texans through private-sector work; or extraordinary contributions to Texans as a member of the Texas Legislature. The retirement requirement belongs to the first route, not all three. The governor may give up to two medals a year; the law does not require that both be awarded. Final law, new Government Code 3108.001.

The governor’s office may solicit and accept gifts, grants and donations from any public or private source for expenses of establishing and administering the award. The act does not set a cash prize, create a pension or mandate a particular nomination or application procedure. Donation authority is not a guarantee that donations will cover all costs. Final law, 3108.002.

Changes during passage: The introduced, Senate-committee, Senate-passed, House-committee and enrolled versions have identical operative text. Both committees reported without amendments, and the official amendment index lists none. The three eligibility routes, discretionary two-per-year cap and funding authority all survived unchanged. Introduced; Senate committee; Senate-passed; House committee; Final law; Version index; Amendment index.

Compare the published text versions in the official text index. A change is not attributed to a specific amendment here without a verified record.

Eligible residents may receive public recognition, and the governor gains a limited annual award to acknowledge service. Eligibility alone does not guarantee selection. The governor’s office must administer any awards it chooses to make; the act does not establish a measurable economic benefit or identify actual recipients. Final law.

The April 11, 2025 fiscal note anticipates no significant state or local-government fiscal impact and assumes costs can be absorbed within existing resources. That estimate is not a finding that medals and administration are free. The act authorizes outside support but makes no new appropriation or fixed spending commitment. Fiscal note; Final law.