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SB2053

Regular Session

Relating to creating the Governor's Medal of Service award to recognize service to the people of Texas.

Low
Low Cost
Effective:2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies

Office of the Governor

SB2053
Low
Relating to creating the Governor's Medal of Service award to recognize service to the people of Texas.
Low Compliance Urgency
Requires routine attention
Cost Impact
Low
Effective
2025-09-01
Enforcing Agencies
Office of the Governor
Primary Author: Sen. Brian Birdwell
89th Texas Legislature
jdkey.com
01

Compliance Analysis

Key implementation requirements and action items for compliance with this legislation

Implementation Timeline

  • Effective Date: September 1, 2025
  • Compliance Deadline: N/A (No mandatory compliance actions required).
  • Agency Rulemaking: The statute does not mandate formal rulemaking. However, the Office of the Governor will likely establish internal selection criteria and donation processing guidelines in Q4 2025.

Immediate Action Plan

  • 1. Archive for General Operations: Mark this bill as "No Impact" for HR, Operations, and Finance departments.
  • 2. Notify Government Relations: Forward this analysis to your GR or Public Affairs team. They should add the "Governor’s Medal of Service" to their tracking list for potential executive recognition opportunities (limited to two awards per year).
  • 3. Update Gift Policies: If your organization engages in high-level corporate philanthropy with the state, flag this new donation channel to ensure it is processed through Legal before funds are released.

Operational Changes Required

Contracts

No Action Required. This legislation does not alter Master Services Agreements (MSAs), vendor contracts, or employment agreements.

Hiring/Training

No Action Required. No new certifications or training modules are necessary.

Reporting & Record-Keeping

Conditional Requirement (Donations Only):

The statute authorizes the Office of the Governor to solicit and accept gifts to fund this award.

  • If your organization donates: You must track these funds strictly as gifts to a state agency.
  • Lobbying Implications: Ensure any contributions are cross-referenced with Texas Ethics Commission rules regarding gifts from registered lobbyists or lobbyist employers to state officials to ensure strict compliance.

Fees & Costs

None. There are no statutory fees associated with this legislation.

Strategic Ambiguities & Considerations

Nomination Process:

The statute grants the award at the "Governor's discretion" without defining a nomination mechanism. The law does not require a public portal or a selection committee.

  • Business Implication: Access to this award will likely be driven by direct advocacy. We anticipate the Governor’s office may publish informal guidelines, but until then, the process remains opaque.

Fund Management:

Section 3108.002 allows the Governor to solicit funds but does not specify if a separate foundation or a dedicated general revenue account will manage them.

  • Business Implication: Before authorizing a donation, Compliance Officers must verify the destination of funds to ensure proper tax deductibility and reporting categorization.

Need Help Understanding Implementation?

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Information presented is for general knowledge only and is provided without warranty, express or implied. Consult qualified government affairs professionals and legal counsel before making compliance decisions.

02

Legislative Timeline

This bill's path through the Texas Legislature

Filed
Mar 7, 2025
Passed Senate
Apr 16, 2025
Passed House
May 20, 2025
Signed
May 30, 2025
TopicsGovernorAwards, Medals, Prizes
03

Senate Authors

Sen. Brian BirdwellRepublican · Primary Author
Coauthors (1)

House Sponsor

Rep. William MetcalfRepublican · Primary Sponsor

Bill Text(with markup)

View bill text in multiple formats on Texas Legislature website

Fiscal NoteView Original

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Quick Reference

Frequently Asked Questions

Common questions about SB2053

Q

What does Texas SB2053 do?

SB2053 establishes the "Governor’s Medal of Service," a discretionary state award for extraordinary contributions, including work within the private sector. This legislation imposes no new regulatory mandates, fees, or operational burdens on general business operations. Its relevance is strictly limited to Government Relations (GR) strategy regarding executive recognition and compliance protocols for corporate philanthropy.

Q

Who authored SB2053?

SB2053 was authored by Texas Senator Brian Birdwell during the Regular Session.

Q

When was SB2053 signed into law?

SB2053 was signed into law by Governor Greg Abbott on May 30, 2025.

Q

Which agencies enforce SB2053?

SB2053 is enforced by Office of the Governor.

Q

How urgent is compliance with SB2053?

The compliance urgency for SB2053 is rated as "low". Businesses and organizations should review the requirements and timeline to ensure timely compliance.

Q

What is the cost impact of SB2053?

The cost impact of SB2053 is estimated as "low". This may vary based on industry and implementation requirements.

Q

What topics does SB2053 address?

SB2053 addresses topics including governor and awards, medals, prizes.

Legislative data provided by LegiScanLast updated: November 25, 2025

Need Strategic Guidance on This Bill?

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