Relating to the state guard professionalization task force.
relating to the state guard professionalization task force.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
SECTION 1. Subchapter G, Chapter 437, Government Code, is
amended by adding Section 437.311 to read as follows:
Sec. 437.311. STATE GUARD PROFESSIONALIZATION TASK FORCE.
(a) The State Guard Professionalization Task Force is a temporary
task force created to advise the adjutant general on the
professionalization of the Texas State Guard under the Texas
Military Department.
(b) The task force is composed of:
(1) the adjutant general or the adjutant general’s
designee;
(2) the director of the Texas Department of Public
Safety or the director of the Texas Department of Public Safety’s
designee;
(3) the director of the Texas Division of Emergency
Management or the director of the Texas Division of Emergency
Management’s designee;
(4) the director of the Texas Department of
Transportation or the director of the Texas Department of
Transportation’s designee;
(5) the director of the Texas A&M Forrest Service or
the director of the Texas A&M Forrest Service’s designee; and
(6) any other directors or director’s designees of any
other state agencies as determined by the adjutant general or the
adjutant general’s designee.
(c) The adjutant general or the adjutant general’s designee
is the chair of the task force.
(d) The task force shall meet as often as necessary to
perform the task force’s duties. Meetings may be held at any time at
the request of the chair.
(e) The task force shall:
(1) use statistical analyses, data received from focus
groups on operations conducted by Texas State Guard, and other
research methods to conduct an examination of state missions and
operations of the State Guard in this state that includes:
(A) an identification of critical state missions
and operations needs; and
(B) a determination of the state’s long-range
state missions and operations needs;
(2) identify and anticipate challenges and threats to
the state’s operations, including but not limited to critical
infrastructure;
(3) develop solutions to overcome the challenges and
threats described by Subdivision (2);
(4) develop a strategy to professionalize and develop
capabilities of the Texas State Guard that is consistent with the
findings and determinations made under this subsection;
(5) recommend to the adjutant general and the
governor:
(A) strategies to solve the challenges
identified under Subdivision (1)(A);
(B) policy priorities to address the long-range
needs determined under Subdivision (1)(B);
(C) policy priorities and budgetary needs to
implement the strategies and solutions determined under
Subdivision (3); and
(6) advise the adjutant general and the governor
regarding the staffing, facilities, equipment, and technology
needed to implement the strategy determined under Subdivision (4).
(f) Not later than August 31, 2026, the task force shall
submit to adjutant general and the governor a report that contains
the recommendations described by Subsection (e)(6).
(g) This section expires September 1, 2026.
SECTION 2. 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, 2025.
